BH ctx question...

[mommycakes]

I've been having more and more as the days go by (along with back ache and cramping--yes, getting closer!). It seems that they make me feel tight and breathless, sometimes a little claustrophobic. I don't recall this sensation with my first pregnancy. Is it normal? I haven't had any blood pressure issues at all during my pregnancy (or ever) but it makes me wonder. I'll be asking my MW on Wed. at our home visit but wanted to know if others are having a similar experience and what info. you've been given.

[DBZ]

I have quite a few BHs, but no claustrophobia. That isn't a symptom of high bp though.

[~ani~]

Wow that is totally me! I don't feel claustrophobia (but that's not a phobia I have in general) but I can feel a ctx coming on because a get a strange out-of-breath sensation in my chest and neck and then it's almost like my face gets hot... almost what I imagine a hot flash might be like? My midwife said it's normal because of the hormones. These are not *AT ALL* like the "BH" ctx I've been having for the last few months. Not painful either.

I am also having mild period cramps off and on - and this is a big change for me this pregnancy because I haven't had period cramps since my last period in June ! So with these new changes this week I'm reassured *something* is going on down there with my hormones and hopefully my cervix- - I won't be pregnant for the rest of my life after all!

It's most likely normal, but don't hesitate to call your midwife if you have a weird feeling about what you are experiencing Hang in there!

[RosemaryS-F]

I have mild cramps and the bx are stronger. The feeling I have is that there's a tightening on my head as well as the breathing/belly tightening. Could that be similar to your claustrophobic feeling?

[~Katrinka~]

I've been feeling these for months. I can always tell when I'm about to get a serious contraction because my heart speeds up first. And that overall feeling of being squeezed can be so intense that I can see how it would make you feel a little claustrophobic. After all, you can't escape the contraction!
When you do get a contraction like that, try to relax into the contraction, the way you would relax into, say, a good stretch of a tight hamstring. Let your stomach hang out like you're 11 months pregnant, and take some really good deep breaths. Stomach breathing will feel better than chest breathing. HTH

[~ani~]

Originally Posted by ~Katrinka~

I've been feeling these for months. I can always tell when I'm about to get a serious contraction because my heart speeds up first. And that overall feeling of being squeezed can be so intense that I can see how it would make you feel a little claustrophobic. After all, you can't escape the contraction!
When you do get a contraction like that, try to relax into the contraction, the way you would relax into, say, a good stretch of a tight hamstring. Let your stomach hang out like you're 11 months pregnant, and take some really good deep breaths. Stomach breathing will feel better than chest breathing. HTH

Great advice, thank you!!

I had a thought - maybe the out-of-breathness comes from the uterus being a huge powerful muscle at the end of pregnancy - when it exercises/contracts it needs lots of O2 hence the increased breathing and heart rate?

[mommycakes]

Originally Posted by RosemaryS-F

I have mild cramps and the bx are stronger. The feeling I have is that there's a tightening on my head as well as the breathing/belly tightening. Could that be similar to your claustrophobic feeling?

YES! It's not an overwhelming claustrophobic sensation--well, maybe it is--I've had to go outside a few times just to get some air and space. My house is small though too and my 3yo is like my shadow.

I definitely feel like it's harder to breath and my chest gets tight. I'm often hot too, like the pp described (sort of like a hot flash).

I can tell that "things are happening" too. My dd was born at 38 weeks. I wonder how much longer I'll go...

[mommycakes]

Originally Posted by ~Katrinka~

I've been feeling these for months. I can always tell when I'm about to get a serious contraction because my heart speeds up first. And that overall feeling of being squeezed can be so intense that I can see how it would make you feel a little claustrophobic. After all, you can't escape the contraction!
When you do get a contraction like that, try to relax into the contraction, the way you would relax into, say, a good stretch of a tight hamstring. Let your stomach hang out like you're 11 months pregnant, and take some really good deep breaths. Stomach breathing will feel better than chest breathing. HTH

Thank you. Yes, I've finally realized that I could put a bit of my hypnobabies practice to work and it is quite helpful.

[Bellejar]

I have been having these awhile. It feels like you are being squeezed by a boa constrictor (or at least what I would imagine it feels like to be squeezed! ) i had them with my last pregnancy as well, totally normal.

[avasmomleigh]

Sometimes I get worn out by BH-when my uterus gets moving, I get tired! That's one big set of muscles working hard!