Fifth pregnancy - lots of contractions - normal?

[Nina Rinkes]

Hi there,

I am the midwife of a woman who is having her fifth baby and experiencing very many contractions, although she is only about 17 weeks along. They started about a month ago. Some days they are less, some days more, even sometimes every two minutes for several hours. They do not have any effect on her cervix and it seems the baby is very fine. This lady herself asked me to post her story here and ask other ladies for their experiences. Are there any mothers out there with five or even more babies? What were your pregnancies like? She is understandably worried, as she has not experienced such early and strong and frequent contractions with her other babies and it would help her to hear whether any of you have had similar experiences.

Sisterly regards,
Nina

[CoBabyMaker]

A friend of mine is pregnant with her 5th and has been feeling contractions for a while now. She said that she has noticed it sooner and they have been more intense with each pregnancy.

[NeverBeenHappier]

I'm only 8 weeks along in my fifth pregnancy now, but two years ago with my 4th pregnancy, I had Braxton-Hicks contractions from VERY early on and they lasted throughout my pregnancy. Is it correct to assume that since you say they are not changing her cervix, that they would be BH contractons and not the real thing?

Mine went from mildly annoying to want to breath thru the discomfort and quite often!

[Nina Rinkes]

Yes, I would say they are Braxton-Hicks. But of course intitially we did not know that, so got worried...

[Little Shepherds]

I am on my 8Th child, and no I am not contrating a lot. Only have here recently while walking/shopping or is I get to stressed. I am 28 weeks they started when around 26 weeks.

[fruitfulmomma]

I had a lot more bh contractions very early on and throughout my 5th pregnancy.

[NeverBeenHappier]

I do notice them now and then even this early on in my pregnancy and it's always in the evening of a day I haven't had nearly enough water. Is she staying hydrated? Just a thought.

[Nina Rinkes]

Thank you - so many replies already!

Looking forward to hearing more about your experiences!

NeverBeenHappier, I'll ask her about the hydration.

[mion]

I'm in my 3rd pregnancy and began having bh at 16 weeks. I'm 27 weeks now and have been having them regularly ever since they started. I've heard the term "irritable uterus," which makes me laugh, but it seems that it is common. I have backed off of my red raspberry leaf supplements for a little while and am taking a calcium-magnesium supplement every day, which has calmed them down a little (along with staying very well hydrated). I've noticed that after a long day of work when I'm a little fatigued and lying down for bed, I will have some intense ones that take my breath away.

Hope this helps.

[Kidzaplenty]

I started having them earlier and earlier with each pgcy. (B/H contractions, that is)

With my fifth I think they began around 16 wks. With my tenth they began at 8 wks.

[Bekka]

Originally Posted by mion

I'm in my 3rd pregnancy and began having bh at 16 weeks. I'm 27 weeks now and have been having them regularly ever since they started. I've heard the term "irritable uterus," which makes me laugh, but it seems that it is common. I have backed off of my red raspberry leaf supplements for a little while and am taking a calcium-magnesium supplement every day, which has calmed them down a little (along with staying very well hydrated). I've noticed that after a long day of work when I'm a little fatigued and lying down for bed, I will have some intense ones that take my breath away.

Hope this helps.

Yes. Hydration and electrolytes.

[Nina Rinkes]

Thank you for all your replies!!