Tightening feeling in upper tummy???

[Shelli08]

Hi im 23 weeks pg and quite often it looks like the bump is at the top of my tummy and feels extrememley tight, does anyone know what this is?

[reethi96]

Braxton Hicks. There are other threads on here for more info. x

[LyraSilvertongue]

Sounds like Braxton Hicks to me. I had them both pgs.

[callmeovercautious]

Sounds like LO is having a stretch I loved that feeling, much more then a kick in the ribs

Put your hand on it and gently press so LO can feel you responding, DD used to push back.

[callmeovercautious]

Was that BH? No wonder I thought I never had any - I just thought it was DD wiggling

[Shelli08]

what is BH lol?

[LyraSilvertongue]

Braxton Hicks contractions are when your bump goes tight for a few minutes. Used to make me feel light-headed too.

[BrightShinySun]

That sounds exactly like what happened to me the other day it made me feel like it was hard to take a breath. Im only 20wks though,surely it cant be BH this early could it? I didnt have any at all last pg?

[belgo]

I had braxton hicks from 12 weeks with my first pregnancy, due to dehydration from morning sickness. I was monitored for them at 20 weeks. They didn't do anything, and I didn't go into labour until 40 weeks.

By definition BH will not do anything - but if you are having a lot of them very regulary, and they are lasting for quite a while, or if they are painful, it's best to get yourself checked out by your midwife.

Some women never experience them during pregnancy.