Talk

Flip

Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Childbirth

No Braxton Hicks - what does that mean?

9 replies

Eva3 · 21/08/2003 16:29

I have not had any Braxton Hicks contractions this pregnancy and I am now 6 days over my due date.... Is this normal? Could it be a sign that full-term for me may be more 43-44 weeks perhaps? Bored and getting desperate....!!

OP posts:

Report

ThomCat · 21/08/2003 16:30

I never had a braxton hicks either, went 10 days over, took castor oil, had a 6 hour drug/pain relief free labour, so I wouldn't worry. Good luck

Report

myersthecat · 22/08/2003 14:22

I don't notice my Braxon Hicks as a general rule, but my midwife has assured me that I have them. Normally as soon as she tries to feel the baby!

As for going overdue, I'm not a very good example. 10 days today!

However, I'm almost certain of my conception date, and therefore my due dates. I think some babies just like to stay snug. This one is going to need a stick of dynamite I think!

Report

Azure · 22/08/2003 14:30

I never had any Braxton Hicks and I've never heard of it being an indication of an overdue baby. DS (my first) was 6 days late. Good luck in what I'm sure seems like an interminable wait!

Report

zebra · 22/08/2003 14:36

Er, first pregnancy I never felt any BH & baby came at 39 weeks exactly.

2nd week I had some BH, and she came at 40wks+2 days. Seems to be inverse law of your theory, Eva3.

Report

mears · 22/08/2003 14:47

Braxton Hicks contractions are there from very early on on pregnancy. Everyone had them but not everyone feels them IYKWIM. They are meant to be painless. In the run up to labour women often experience painful contractions for periods of time. There aren't necessarily Braxton Hicks but actual contractions. There are regular prelabour contractions also that are painful but is just the body's way of getting prepared for labour.
It is perfectly normal to go into labour without experiencing any of the above. I did, so don't worry. Doesn't mean that the baby won't come tonight

Report

myersthecat · 23/08/2003 06:43

Eva,

Have just have my first few real contractions (or at least I think they are). Not horredous yet, but definitely noticeable, plus they do come more or less to the minute expected. (so far so good)

I was only saying to the midwife yesterday that I was worried that if I didn't feel the BH, that I wouldn't know when labour started. She said it would be unlikely that I didn't notice.

Report

bloss · 23/08/2003 23:51

Message withdrawn

Report

Eva3 · 25/08/2003 22:38

Back again....now 10 days overdue, no contractions that I can feel. Thanks for letting me know that this is normal. I now only have 4 days for something to happen before my scheduled c-section. Am hoping that if not before, my visit to the OB on Wed will at least deliver a successful sweep...

OP posts:

Report

Eva3 · 26/08/2003 08:44

Woke up to a bit of stinging pain, that comes and goes and has a little build up. Not knowing what real contractions feels like....could this be it?