Braxton Hicks

[BlueberryWafer]

Hi all I'm 35 weeks today and for the last few weeks I've been getting increasing amounts of what I think are Braxton hicks. I never had any in my first pregnancy, so don't have anything to compare it to. My stomach feels really uncomfortable, like there suddenly isn't enough room for the baby (if that makes sense?) and my belly goes really tight and hard. Sometimes it makes me feel like I need to wee as well which is strange.. It only lasts about a minute or so, and isn't painful - just uncomfortable. I have also been getting lots of dull period type aches in my lower tummy. Does this sound like Braxton hicks? I refuse to use dr google as it always comes back with something scary!

You wouldn't think it's my second baby but I never had any Braxton hicks with my first!

[lauren222]

This is my first pregnancy and I am experiencing the same thing. I'm at 37 weeks. The Braxton Hicks are not painful but I do notice the very strong tightening sensation across my belly. At the moment it is happening several times a day but they don't form a regular pattern. I take it as a sign that my body is preparing for labour.

[Zsazsabinks]

Yeah, they sound like Braxton Hicks. I didn't notice them at all with my first pregnancy but definitely have with subsequent pregnancies.

[Jaffakake]

I'm wondering the same thing op. At 33 weeks sometimes my bump just feels really uncomfy, but then it passes.

[BlueberryWafer]

That's exactly how mine started out about 31 weeks Jaffa and now they're really uncomfortable. Definitely not painful, just uncomfortable. Although the period type pain hurts a bit.

[scratchandsniff]

I'm 32 weeks and think I've been having them with varying intensity for a while. Don't really remember getting them first time around. Like you say it feels as if baby taking up every bit of space, tight tummy and generally uncomfortable. I notice I get them mostly at night especially when I need to wee.

I'm feeling really quite crampy at the moment, think it's because I hung on too long before going to the loo.

[Seasidedolly]

Sounds like it, I was also wondering what the strange tightening/ hardening was and it so happened I had one whilst midwife was feeling my tummy and she said do you know you're having braxton hicks? It all clicked into place then!

I notice I get them more when I need a wee or haven't been for a while. I've had them since about 27 weeks (now 32 weeks with first baby) and they are getting lower and becoming more and more uncomfortable but don't actually hurt