[seafox]

is there any reason to make sure they slow down/stop once they've started a bit? I tend to get them on my weekend bike rides (I am limiting mileage, so shortish rides, no more than 50mi, and with rests/breaks) but the last 10-20mi of them I usually get some braxton hicks - and they come rather often (every few minutes) until I get home. I know I should drink more water (will try this on this weekend's ride) but I've been googling and haven't found anything that tells me that its dangerous to let them go on like that for a bit? (usually the last hour or so of the ride) its not like it turns into pre-labor or anything as far as I can tell.

Ill probably be shortening the ride as I get bigger (Im 34wks this weekend) anyway, and they don't happen on my little rides to work and back (11mi each way or so) so I know its a product of distance/time biking or whatnot. But I do want to do a good 50 this saturday (its going to be 80 degrees!!) and want to know if I should stop/rest if they start coming that frequently or not. I did ask my doc about them the last appt and she said its normal to get them w/ exercise but I hadn't noticed the frequency before and this past week's ride was definitely a lot more of them than the ones before I saw her.

I'm hoping its more a function of dehydration and more water should help!

 

[boscopup]

It's also normal for them to increase in frequency as you get farther along. For example, I wasn't getting them at all until recently, and now just walking across my backyard gives me one.

Since they are stopping as soon as you stop the exercise, I personally wouldn't worry about it too much. Just listen to your body, and if it's too uncomfortable, stop and rest (and make sure you're drinking LOTS).

 

[kamane18]

I agree. 50 miles - whoa! Also, in addition to staying hydrated, I'd have more than just water and add in some gatorade or coconut water to keep your electrolytes in balance (I prefer coconut water at a ratio of like 1-2 ounces per 8 ounces water).

 

[rivkah]

I don't worry about it when I exercise. I take a long walk every weekend (takes me more than an hour--not sure how long it is), and I pretty much have CNXs the whole time. So long as they stop when you stop, I think it is fine. However, I would also expect that these will become progressively stronger and begin to be painful as the weeks go on.

I would be careful doing 50 miles this weekend in the heat, though. At 34 weeks, your body really is going to be a lot more sensitive, and at a certain point, things will start to "give," one being your ability to deal with physical exertion and heat.

 

[seafox]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rivkah I don't worry about it when I exercise. I take a long walk every weekend (takes me more than an hour--not sure how long it is), and I pretty much have CNXs the whole time. So long as they stop when you stop, I think it is fine. However, I would also expect that these will become progressively stronger and begin to be painful as the weeks go on. I would be careful doing 50 miles this weekend in the heat, though. At 34 weeks, your body really is going to be a lot more sensitive, and at a certain point, things will start to "give," one being your ability to deal with physical exertion and heat.

yeah, the heat is definitely a concern. We are going to leave early to avoid it - around 730am hopefully. Its been so chilly lately its hard to imagine being 'too hot!' but that's new england for you!

 

[ErinsJuneBug]

I usually walk 45 min a few times a week on the treadmill at the gym and i get BH the ENTIRE time. Sometimes they dont even stop or space out. As soon as I am done and sitting down they stop though. If they continued or if i saw discharge or bleeding i would obviously slow down.

 

[sonuptosondown]

Quote:

Originally Posted by seafox is there any reason to make sure they slow down/stop once they've started a bit?

I'm so glad you asked this--I've been wondering, too. Though, almost all my BH happen while I'm lying down, not while walking or, ahem, biking 50 miles. But I get a lot when I rest--every 5-6 minutes for as long as I lie there or up to an hour. I don't know if I should be getting up and moving around so they'll stop or if it's ok to just let them stop by themselves eventually. I drink plenty of water, but they come on whenever I lie down.

 

[because]

I tend to get/notice BH early and very frequently. I've gone full term both times so far, though. Any excercise does it for me, for sure. I also get them when my belly gets bumped (ie kid running to me for a hug or midwife palpating). When I was pg with #1, I biked to work and that made them really noticable because of the way my thighs would hit my big belly. It was exercise + bumping. I was due mid-winter and we live in MI so I quit biking to work when it got icy (about 7 months along) so I don't know how bad it would have been at the end.

Hydration and sugar levels are good to pay attention to no matter what you're doing. Sounds to me like the BH are pretty normal, though.