Braxton Hicks- what do they feel like?

[redbird79]

Hi all, having never been pregnant before I wondered whether anyone can give me an idea about what Braxton Hicks feel like and when I might start feeling them. I do get tightenings and pains from time to time, and although sometimes they can be sharp I can usually just keep doing what I am doing. I am 30 weeks and don't know if they are just baby tried to get his head in places he shouldn't or the start of BH?

[seashore]

That sounds like them, it's a tightening sensation, it never felt particularly painful to me, I only got them with my 2nd pregnancy.My whole bump would go hard for a few moments and then back to normal. I think it's very different to movement which instead feels more pokey. Hth

[Dozeyland]

Definitely agree. tightenings - very odd feeling!

[hairymelons]

Yes, bump goes very hard for a few seconds. It is essentially your uterus contracting (ie practising for labour) but not strongly enough to cause the cervix to dilate.

I've had them a lot with both pregnancies. Someone gave me the tip of using them to practise breathing techniques for labour so having lots of them turned out to be very useful! If a bit annoying at times.

[Dozeyland]

I started getting them around that time too but they are more full on now..

Do the more BH you have mean that you will have a smoother labour? ie: where your uterus is use to it??

[seashore]

Some people get them the whole way through, my sis always does, she says it's great because a lot of the work is already done

[AllNightMilkBar]

Not if my first experience is anything to go by, no it makes no difference to labour.

Had them from about 18-20 weeks with both, and had one very protracted and painful labour, and one quick one.

[hairymelons]

I also had BH from about 18 weeks both times. First labour was also very long and painful but that was because DS was posterior. I was really good at breathing through my millions of contractions though!

[Wanderingsheep]

BHs are weird! When pg with DD I used to feel like someone was squeezing me reeeeally really tightly. Used to take my breath away sometimes!