Braxton Hicks « Back to Group Discussions

[jr'smom]

I'm feeling Braxton Hicks contractions already.  Anyone else?

I don't remember when I started feeling them in past pregnancies, but I don't think it was this early (14 weeks.)  I did read that they can/do start early though and most won't feel them until later on.  So I'm not concerned, just surprised.  I am plenty hydrated, so I guess nothing to do but enjoy the sign of pregnancy.  I can't wait until I can feel the baby move regularly.  I think I've felt him/her occasionally, but I know soon it will be daily!

[Sweet Huck]

Awesome! So awesome. As a first timer, I am so curious as to what they feel like! Can't wait for mine to kick in.

[jr'smom]

Originally Posted by Sweet Huck 

Awesome! So awesome. As a first timer, I am so curious as to what they feel like! Can't wait for mine to kick in.

I read most people start feeling them at about 20 weeks or so.  It just feels like your uterus is tightening up.  Sometimes very mild, sometimes quite intense.

[althara]

I've been having the same thing off and on all week. I'm 14 weeks along too. They are definitely uncomfortable for me, but not painful. I'm hoping they wont get worse as time goes on.

[spotty4]

I am 12 weeks.  I randomly feel mild/light uterine cramping.  I don't know if its just plain uterine cramping or Braxton-Hicks.  I'm like Huck, first timer, so I am hyper aware of what I am feeling these days.

[BabySmurf]

Ugh, I've had them too...I was hoping that they would kick in a bit later.  This pregnancy symptom wise has been relatively easy, but comfort wise...I don't remember feeling this squished until the third trimester! My back hurts, I'm having round ligament pain and braxton hick contractions....I am so scared about how it's going to be when I am actually big!!! I'm already having trouble sitting up from laying straight on my back, lol! Ugh! So glad I'm not the only one .

[amlikam]

I've had them too, but because I was also having some bleeding my midwife recommended cramp bark. That has helped a bit bit tastes terribly.

[zjande]

amlikan, cramp bark does taste awful, but I LOVE it for post-partum contractions (afterpains)! I've found that taking cramp bark and ibuprofen together is a magic afterpains helper. At least, they help me just feel like I'm still in light-ish labor but not like I'm going to die! lol

Regarding BH, mine always begin at 11 weeks. Just think of them as uterus exercises!! They're just helping you prepare for the big work at the end!

[Sweet Huck]

Last night I had a series of 8-10 really strong Braxton hicks contractions one right after the other, each lasting about 60 seconds. I could SEE my belly raise and tighten... and then ease. They were quite strong and uncomfortable, but not painful. They did not increase in length or severity, which is why I didn't bother calling the midwife. I walked and stretched a bit, drank lots of water, and then just laid down to sleep after a while. I had a few more throughout the night that were uncomfortable enough to semi-wake me..... and this morning my muscles feel tired..... but i otherwise feel just fine and Baby has been kicking around and hicupping through it all.

I was just wondering if this has happened to anyone else?

[dayiscoming2006]

Originally Posted by Sweet Huck 

Last night I had a series of 8-10 really strong Braxton hicks contractions one right after the other, each lasting about 60 seconds. I could SEE my belly raise and tighten... and then ease. They were quite strong and uncomfortable, but not painful. They did not increase in length or severity, which is why I didn't bother calling the midwife. I walked and stretched a bit, drank lots of water, and then just laid down to sleep after a while. I had a few more throughout the night that were uncomfortable enough to semi-wake me..... and this morning my muscles feel tired..... but i otherwise feel just fine and Baby has been kicking around and hicupping through it all.

I was just wondering if this has happened to anyone else?

If they were painful enough to wake you up, I'd probably at least mention it to your midwife. I did have some decently painful BH contrax with my second off and on for like 3 weeks before he was born. Sometimes coming at regular intervals 5-10 mins apart, but never really getting worse and fading away for some hours and coming back again, so I knew it wasn't time. 

[amlikam]

I have been feeling them a bit more on and off. Last night I took some Cramp Bark, drank water, went for a walk then went to bed. It is worth a mention to the midwife for sure, though I don't know I would call in the middle of the night for it. Actually your post reminded me I wanted to check in with my own midwives about this!

[littlegreenlady]

I've been getting them in bursts here and there. I wouldn't call it painful I guess, really really uncomfortable. they take my breath away and make my heart feel funny. At times I'll have to stop everything and just breath. Though like I said not painful like when I was in labor. My midwives say it's ok and that I just have a strong uterus, but I  do tell them every time it happens (I'll usually just email for this) so they know whats going on.

[jr'smom]

I've been getting very long strong uncomfortable BH contractions now too.  Sometimes many in a row, other times just a few a day.  I'm sure it's totally normal.  I can't believe how close we are getting!  32 weeks today!  8-10 weeks to go for me! (I never go early.)

Also my baby has been stretching his legs into my ribs all day.  It's actually good to be able to feel that he's head down.  The doctor said he could tell he was head down 2 weeks ago, but I still couldn't tell until today.  My little one likes to move his arms and hands so much that I feel most motion down low.  Along with an anterior placenta obscuring some motion, I was getting worried that he was head up.  (I know it's ealry still...but all my others were head down by 20 weeks and stayed that way. He was not head down at 20 weeks...I think I felt him flip soon after that though.)

[Sweet Huck]

Thanks for sharing your experiences and thoughts, ladies. I was prepared for BH contractions... but I just didn't quite realize how intense they could be or how frequently they could come!

I've since heard a few more stories from moms (and nurses) about how they can go on for hours, or even days, and as long as all other signs are good (blood pressure, baby movement, and no progression into true labor) that it's nothing to worry too much about.