Okay, so I am 34 weeks pregnant and every time I'm on my feet for over 10 minutes or so I end up with my uterus tightening and severe low back pain. The tightening doesn't let up and the contraction just goes on and on. This has been going on for a week. The longer I'm up the worse the pain gets until I can no longer walk. The strange thing is that as long as I get off of my feet quickly, then they usually stop completely. I had this with my third pregnancy and was put on bedrest for 2 weeks before my daughter was born because her growth slowed dramatically. I do everything right with lots of water with electrolytes, rest on left side, magnesium, ect ect. Is there anything I can do or take that will give me my life back? Abdominal support? Herbs? Anyone else experience this?

Much Love,
Gini

How strange. I wonder if liquid calcium would help? Or chiro adjustments?

I hope someone has better suggests for you!

I had these too this time. My midwife assured me they were braxton hicks. I couldn't get mine to stop even by sitting, laying down, or even sleeping, so she had me get in a warm bath and drink a glass of wine to relax my uterus. Apparently it's sometimes called having an "irritable uterus" and can be caused by a variety of factors including stress or an infection (I actually had both of these going on at the time), I was also drinking a quart of nettle infusion a day for varicose veins and I believe that was also contributing to the problem, because when i stopped drinking it for a week I stopped having the constant contractions.

bumping this bc I need help

Yes, both to abdominal support AND herbs.

Red raspberry leaf tincture or tea helps to tone the uterus. It does not cause or stop contractions but supports the uterus to function as it should. See dosage guidelines below.

A maternity belt/back support lifts and supports the uterus and muscles that lift and support it. This can also aid in helping the baby to be free to move into a right position for birth. I have noticed when I do not wear mine, I have more contractions (Braxton Hicks) and I am only 26 weeks along, with my fourth baby. I highly recommend both; it can't hurt to give them a try and see what comfort they give you.

Along with magnesium, have you been taking calcium?

You may find the contractions continue with these above remedies, but hopefully in such a way that they feel more productive at the right time and not bothering as much in the meantime. Good luck!



The following guidelines on consuming raspberry leaf during pregnancy have been taken from Parsons (1999):
Tablets - Take two 300mg or 400mg tablets with each meal (three times a day) from 32 weeks.
Teabags - 1st trimester- one cup per day -2nd trimester - two cups per day -3rd trimester - up to 4 to 5 teabag cups throughout the day.
Loose leaf tea - Bring one cup of water to the boil. Remove from heat and add one teaspoon of the herb. Stir, cover and let sit for ten minutes (do not boil the herb), strain and sip. Adding sugar or honey many improve the taste. 2 to 3 cups per day is often recommended especially after 28 weeks of pregnancy.
Tincture - A tincture is an alcoholic extract of the herb raspberry leaf. The dosage will depend on the strength of the tincture.
Raspberry Leaf has been recommended by naturopaths and herbalists as well as some midwives and obstetricians. Consult a health care provider regarding the type of preparation and what dosage to take.
(http://www.birthsource.com/scripts/article.asp?articleid=127)