So, this is a Braxton-Hicks?

[Ellen Griswold]

This is my third baby, but I've never had any sort of pre-term contraction before. However, this is the first time I've ever been pregnant during the summer. I'm on vacation and trying to do my best to be diligent about keeping hydrated, but a girl can only drink so much water while on the road with her family. The cramps that I'm getting seems to be right across my belly button region. I'm 22 weeks. Does this seem normal? Is there anything else I can do? At what point should I become worried? (Okay, so, I'm worried already...)

[rparker]

My entire abdomen gets tight and uncomfortable with a Braxton-Hicks contraction. It feels totally different from how even my early labor contractions felt which were lower down and more like menstrual cramps. Plus the BH contractions always go away with 20 minutes or so of water + rest. That's the best description I really have... hope that helps a little.

[vivvysue]

they do sound perfectly normal to me also. i found that with my third, fourth and fifth babies that i did feel them a bit more and sometimes lower down where the muscles that hold up your uterus are located. you seem to be keeping hydrated, but unless they are accompanied by any other pre-term labour signs, ie: bleeding, fluid leakage, seem prolonged (more than a minute or two in duration i might get it checked out.
it does sound like nothing more than the way things go with your body with a third or more pg, but if you are worried i wouldnt hesitate to contact my mw or ob/gyn

eta: b/h can start as early as 6 weeks pg, we just dont feel them, if you consider that your uterus is a little weaker muscular wise from previous births then it does have some excersize to do to get ready for the big day. my mw explained it to me that bh are excersizes for your womb to make it strong for labour contractions... more babies more work to get her to work well, could be why you are feeling them more they really dont sound like anything to be really concerned with, other than the regular worries we have when pg :

good luck with your pg. hth~

vs

[HeatherB]

Are they painful, or just tightening? BH should be painless (maybe uncomfortable from the tightening, but that's all), shouldn't come in a pattern (like every X minutes), and should be affected by changes in activity (they might start when you stand up, or stop when you lay down or change positions).

Dehydration can *definitely* cause an increase in BH, so that's quite likely what it is. I just notice that my whole belly is hard and well defined. Depending on how far along I am, it can also be difficult to move around during one. As long as what you've got isn't painful, I'd definitely chalk it up to BH, up your water intake, and get some rest!

[HeatherB]

Oh, and if you're truly worried, do whatever you need to do to alleviate that worry. If posting here and getting our input is sufficient, perfect. If you feel like there's a problem, call your care provider or get seen. Never doubt mama's intuition.

[Yuba_River]

I get lots of BH. I did with my son, too, so I guess it's normal for me. I thought I was hydrated enough, but I increased my water intake by a huge amount and they lessened a lot. They were happening a lot on hot days when I had exercised or gardened, and even though I'd been drinking, I think I hadn't compensated enough for the heat.