Very crampy at 34 weeks? Braxton hicks?

[Melaya]

Last night I started having what felt like contractions at around 5 pm. I decided to see what happens if I waited it out (I was at school anyway). I ended up having to leave class early because I was just really uncomfy and having to breath through the crampyness. It got worse and went on all night. Resting or moving didn't make a difference, the pain was about two minutes apart and pretty bad (it kept waking me up). But it never got worse. Were those braxton hicks? Wouldn't labor have gone somewhere by now? Or wouldn't it be more intense? I'm still crampy off and on today, but it's better. I'm very tired though and have no appetite. I never had braxton hicks before, so I don't know what they feel like. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks. :)

[Mama2 '05'06]

Could be BH contrax. Are you getting enough water to drink? Sometimes being dehydrated will cause BH to be very uncomfortable. Also call your health care provider and ask them. They may want to monitor the contrax to be sure it isn't labor. Good luck!:wink

[Melaya]

:bump:

[sprout 1]

I've been having lots of ctx too, I'm also 34 weeks. Can you check your cervix to see if they're doing anything?

[DigitalSuze]

I've had BH, but they're not really painful -- more like an uncomfortable tightening. I can't recall having more than a few in the course of an hour, and the intervals are very irregular.

I've found that drinking A LOT of water (I'm guessing I drink something like 72oz - 90oz each day) helps to slow them down. If that doesn't work, consider calling your dr. or midwife.

[ambotchka]

I'm sorry your BX ctrx are bothering you. Hopefully drinking lots of water will help, as the others say.

I am 34wks too, and haven't felt anything yet. Could there be something wrong with me or is it normal not to feel them?

[lola731]

I'm now about 35.5 weeks, and I've been aware of my ctx since about 15 weeks with this pregnancy, something I never noticed with my other 2 pregnancies. At 34 weeks, I had very noticable ctx and cramping coming every 3-9 min. all day/night long. I finally decided to go in to see my midwives, and was told I was a cm. dilated and cervix was shortening- again, something that has never happened with my previous pregnancies. My cervix is usually long and tight until I'm in labor. Even though the ctx. are noticable, and uncomfortable, I'm fine with them as long as they don't make me have the baby yet- I don't want him/her to come until at least 37-38 weeks! I've been drinking tons of water, too, and trying to rest more, but I really have a lot more when I'm resting. I'm hoping all this is the same for you, but you might want to get checked out. Most hospitals won't stop labor at 35 weeks, but really want a homebirth, so this baby needs to stay put! The ctx. make it hard for me to sleep, too, and I do have to breathe through them. I'm still getting at least 50/day, and figure I will until the baby comes.

Also, not feeling BH ctx. is common- some women notice them, others don't. I didn't notice them at all with my first, noticed them at around 27 weeks with my second, and since around 15 weeks this time.

Carrie, mama to Jake (3.5), Lola (almost 2) and baby #3 due in a month!