contraction during 4th month of pregnancy?

[catholic74]

Last night, I woke up to the feeling of tightening in my uterus. I felt it and it was really hard, like a mild contraction, as if it was just tightening up, then after a minute it relaxed.  This was the middle of the night and I was half asleep, but I know I'm not dreaming.   It concerns me.  This is my 4th pregnancy, though it's been over three years since the last one. I don't remember having what felt like a contraction this early.  It hasn't happening since.  Anyone know anything about this?  

[bstandlee]

It sounds like a Braxton Hicks contraction. Most women have them and they're harmless (unless you start getting them super frequently, then you're supposed to call your doc). I had them with DS and remember how strange it felt to feel the contraction but not have any pain or anything.

[catholic74]

Thanks..I won't worry then...it hasn't happened again as far as I know...maybe it happens in the night or when I'm so busy during the day and I don't notice.

[annaconda]

I had a random cxn at 20 weeks and it was a one-time thing... no worries... 

[Shami]

I've read/heard that that the more pregnancies you have the earlier your braxton hicks contractions can come. I've only had one baby and my braxton hicks came in the 8th month.

[mamaki]

I had braxton hicks with all 3 of my pregnancies, and they started around 12 weeks each time.  I've always carried to term, so I wouldn't worry... unless they are painful.

[noahs.mom06]

If they start to come frequently, ask your care provider about the possibility of a yeast or bacterial infection. I was having them frequently around 23-24 weeks this time (like, every 5 minutes for hours at a time), but wasn't really worried about them because they didn't hurt and other than being annoying and slightly tiring, they weren't really bothering me. Turns out I had a yeast infection, the contractions were the only symptom. Since treating it, I've been having them much less frequently, maybe only one or two a day that I notice.

They are also more commonly earlier with each subsequent pregnancy, just because your body remembers what it's doing from the last time. So typically unless they're coming often, they're not something to spend too much time worrying about.