Is it just me or..... What do Braxton Hicks feel like??

[EmmaKateLouise]

I am 38 weeks today and don't appear to have had any of these Braxton Hicks thingys!?! Am I just abnormal or just ignoring them?!
Alhthough I often feel like my tummy is being stretched from the inside out, like some little blighter is trying to put their foot through my skin. Could that be a BH or is that just bubs shuffling around?!
Often think BH contractions are a bit of an old wife's tale, in the same league as what my 16 year old sister-in-law describes as "growing pains"!! WTF! "No Love, it's just your leg/back/arm aching through over-use/injury/whatever!! Just like what happens to everyone!" Kids nowadays, eh?!

[Neenzandhertwinbeans]

I also don't think I have been gettting any BHs. I am 35 weeks today. Do you always get them before proper labour starts? I am having twins so hope to have them in about two weeks - but does no BHs mean it could be longer? (Please don't say yes!)

[catwoman75]

For me, it's when my whole stomach goes really hard but there is no pain. Not just the bottom bit but the top of my uterus as well. I only know 'cos I had one when the midwife was trying to measure it!!

[littlelamb]

I didn't have any BHs with dd but this time I have definately had them and it is just a tightening feeling - painless but uncomfortable. I have had groups of several at a time, usually when I have been overdoing things, and they are enough to take my breath away. I think I heard somewhere that they increase with each subsequent pregnancy?

[goingfor3]

I've been getting quite a few braxton hicks a day for around a week now though I have been feeling them since 20 weeks just not as frquently, I'm 35 weeks. My bump goes hard and I do get a little pelvic pain when it happens. This will be my third baby and I didn't have any BH's in any of my other pregnanies, dd1 was born at 38 weeks and dd2 at 40 weeks.

[whomovedmychocolate]

In my first pregnancy BH did not feel in any way painful and I ignored them a lot. This time it flipping HURTS! So just be grateful. You are probably having them and not noticing.

But no, they definitely do exist. I spent much of my last pregnancy having fetal monitoring and so I could see them on the screen.

[snooks]

My BH have increased in quantity and severity with each pregnancy (I'm now 39 weeks with no.3). With ds1 they were just tightening and totally painless, by now they do bloody hurt! And I can now feel the entire uterus tightening, ie at the back as well not just at the front.

Yes, like littlelamb says my mw also told me they do get worse with each subsequent pg (that is, if you have them) just like afterpains do [oh joy sarcastic emoticon].

I do know several mums though who have never had them, absolutely nothing to worry about. And FWIW they are NOTHING like proper contractions so they don't exactly prepare you for labour either!!

[Flame]

I never had em with either pregnancy

I had very solid bumps the whole way through though, I don't know if that makes a difference

[biglips]

my first pg i didnt have them at all, this 2nd pg im having them on and off as the bump feels like a very dull ache and the bump feel hard too (im 20 weeks tmrw).

[PotPourri]

I had them in all my pregnancies, but definately stronger this one (3rd). I have had them from about 16 weeks (seriously, before I even felt the baby move!), and have thought I was starting labour the last few days, but only (painful) Braxton hicks.

and they do exist - you can see them on the chart if you need to get monitored during the pregnancy.