Horrific Braxton Hicks

[debbiewells21]

hi all, I'm 33 weeks and have been having what I think is Braxton hicks since I've been 4 months pregnant. at the moment I get them twice a week and they double me over in pain. [s[e
This is my second child, never had them the first time.

They last for about 10-15 mins and they make me sick. Sometimes I can prevent them by relaxing and breathing or stretching but otherwise I have to breath through them. I get tight pain around my middle and side around my rib cage. It doesn't feel like a contraction at all becuase it's so high up and it's a constant pain, like a spasm. I don't know what to do with myself when I get them.

Has anyone else experienced the same? seeing the midwife Tuesday so will tell her but meanwhile....is this normal?

[Indomitable]

I got them from 20 weeks last time, every 5 minutes from 12pm to 8pm. But they weren't painful till his head was engaged towards the end. Being dehydrated seemed to make it worse. Resting (sitting still) helped.

Do check with the midwife.

[BeautifulBatman]

I've started getting them occasionally. Not painful but the constriction is absolutely breathtaking and quite debilitating. I kneel on the floor and stretch over my bed until they go. And cry a little bit, wondering how I'll cope with labour

[coveredinsnot]

I think it's considered abnormal to have them for such a long time. They're supposed to last about 30 seconds to 2 minutes (apparently). I'm currently 34 weeks with my second child and didn't experience debilitating BH last time, but definitely have this time! They take my breath away and make my head feel like it's been squeezed which is very odd. However they are rarely painful. I have noticed they get much worse when I'm even slightly dehydrated and / or stressed or if I've been even slightly unwell.

My best remedy is to lie down, take big calming breaths, drink LOADS of water and relax. Regularly bathing in very salty water (Epsom salts) also helps raise magnesium levels and relax muscles which really helps (I think).

I have had BHs that have lasted a long time too and have had to go in for monitoring because of this. However now I don't tell them about it because monitoring has always been fine and all they've done is told me to drink and rest. I can do that without spending 2 hours at the antenatal unit.

However I would definitely get checked out asap as the pain doesn't sound good. Also I'm no expert!

[debbiewells21]

Thanks ladies. Will definitely tell the widwife. and try drinking more water. let you know what happens x

[RockerMummy184]

I have been having horrible tightenings on an almost daily basis for the last few weeks. They come every 3-5 mins and can last for hours. I thought I was in early labour several times to start off with and contacted my MAU. They didn't seem concerned in the slightest and have said they think I have an 'iritable uterus'. I am going to mention it to my consultant at my app on Wednesday though.

[coveredinsnot]

Irritable uterus us a significant diagnosis as it increases the chances of early labour. If they think you have that they should be advising you, not fobbing you off. I think I have it too, all the symptoms match mine.

[RockerMummy184]

I thought that too covered. Also I am having twins and my consultant has reinforced the likelihood of preterm labour with multiple births on several occasions.
It concerns me that if I do go into early labour I won't seek any medical help in time because I will just think it's the symptoms I've been having for weeks coming back.
I will let you know what my consultant says on Wednesday.

[coveredinsnot]

Yes please do update! Good luck with your appointment.

[debbiewells21]

Evening ladies, apparently my take on braxton hicks are perfectly normal, although I beg to differ given that I've not met anyone suffering in the exact same way.

midwife wasn't very positive about my placenta prevea either. need to Start accepting that a c section may be on the cards.

[coveredinsnot]

Interesting response! Sometimes I think they don't like to admit when something unusual crops up that they haven't heard of. Maintaining a professional veneer.... I don't think your BH are normal at all, but perhaps nothing to overtly worry about. Sorry a cs may be on the cards - had you desperately been hoping for this not to happen?

[RockerMummy184]

debbie your last post sounds almost EXACTLY the same as the conversation I had yesterday. BH are 'normal', I will 'just know' when I go into proper labour, take paracetamol/codeine/warm baths etc.

Also looking like a section for me () as my placenta hasn't moved in the last 4 weeks. Absolutely gutted.

[debbiewells21]

Well I ended up at the maternity assesment unit this morning after a bout of BH at 00:45, 06:45 and one lasting for an hour at 07:30. I tried everything I could to get it to go, different positions, breathing, walking, stretching, all fours, was sick after taking paracetamol, ran a warm bath, drank water, went to the loo.and there was no let up. I can't even begin to tell you how relieved I was when it finally stopped.

Midwives found the baby was absolutely fine, no signs of early labour and a scan showed that the little monkey has turned!! no more breech I hope. Just said if it happens again or they get stronger to go back to see them.

I have to admit that I'm really fearful of them now, which can't
be helping me try to relax through them. I might try a tens machine next time!!

Thanks for the replies all, it's one of those situations where I've really struggled to find someone else suffering so intensely with them and I was so worried this morning. I knew it wasn't labour and couldn't get any relief to breath or move without pain though.

Perhaps it's my body telling me to slow down as well.

Everything's OK, they checked

[Indomitable]

Regarding the potential for not knowing when BHs change to real contractions:

I had the same worry. I was having BHs (as I said) 5 minutes apart for 8 hours a day from 20 weeks. My colleagues assured me that "I'd know". I wasn't so sure.

But in the end, real contractions really did feel different. There was no mistaking it. My BHs were characterised by my bump hardening at the top, forcing DSs head into my cervix. Real contractions started with my cervix - felt like an iron grip squeezing and twisting.

Hope that's helpful, and that you're feeling ok, OP.

[coveredinsnot]

Glad they assessed you properly, but sorry you were so stressed and worried.with it!

When mine have been that intense it's absolutely definitely been related to overdoing it. I've just finished working full time last Friday and they have been regular, intense, painful, etc and this week I've hardly had any! I've really been resting and chilling out a lot. When I've had them they've been much milder, and much less frequent.

Are you working? What are you up to that could be triggering them? What changes can you make? Are you drinking loads of water and having regular salty baths?

[Turquoiseblue]

Are you sure it s BH -
Do you have any other symptoms ? Just wondering if it d gall stones or constipation it something else, easy to blame the obvious sometimes.

[debbiewells21]

I finished work last Friday but I've been nesting quite hard...painting and decorating which could be the cause. I had a chat with hubby last night and we agreed he's got to finish it all.

So today all I'll do is cook Dinner and sort my little ones clothes out in her chest of drawers. I can do that whilst sitting down.

Made me realise how unprepared we are for the new baby though, hadn't got all the things to go in a bag for the hospital so I did some online shopping last night to sort that out.

I'm feeling much more comfortable now that the baby has turned but only time will tell if those BH will return.

My bowel movements are quite regular so no constipation.

Slept so well last night.

[coveredinsnot]

Well no wonder! Working and painting and decorating! Definitely time to down tools! You absolutely must be resting and at the very most,going for q slow motion waddle somewhere pretty once a day.

[debbiewells21]

had my 36 week scan yesterday and great news all roind.

Baby is no longer breech and my placenta has moved so I'm low risk again.

Bad news; a 45 min braxton hicks attack at 1:30 this morning and I'd done nothing yesterday so it def wasn't related to overdoing it. fed up with them now

[RockerMummy184]

Great news about baby turning and placenta moving! Not good re. BH!
On the plus side though, you're almost there so not much longer having to put up with them, and also your body is getting well prepared so fingers crossed for an easy labour!
My BH earlier in the week were accompanied with 3 days of really bad period pain type cramps. Saw my consultant on Wednesday who said she thinks I'm just too small to happily carry twins and my body is in protest! Joy!

[debbiewells21]

Oh twins! congratulations!! my husband is a twin and always wanted to follow suit with his little ones.

yes, focusing on the finishing line now. Got my mindfulness Cd's ready and going to order my tens machine today.

[LilacRain]

I've been getting awful BH attacks too. Midwives at MAU not concerned as cervix still closed and scan normal.

Any tips for relieving them? I've tried walking around, warm baths, sitting with feet up, drinking more water, but nothing seems to stop them and it's too painful to lie down...

[RockerMummy184]

Codeine! Lots and lots of codeine!

[debbiewells21]

Midwife I saw yesterday suggested trying peppermint water from a chemist and drink it with a little warm water. I haven't tried it yet so I can't say that it works but I'll almost try anything at the moment.

is Codeine safe when you're pregnant? I know ibuprofen isn't.

[RockerMummy184]

Yes I was prescribed it for chronic migraines in early pregnancy then again for SPD later on.
My consultant told me on Wednesday is fine if I need to take it for the BH as well.
I was also given it while I was in labour with DS.

[debbiewells21]

well, boots don't sell peppermint water and they wouldn't give me Codeine without doctors consent.