Should I worry that my Braxtons are so strong so early... 22/23 weeks...2nd pg.

[Jackaroo]

didn't have these til much later last time. They are definitely related to doing "too much". If I've been running around with DS for a few hours, or been at work etc etc. I get very strong tightenings, although only across the front, not the back or underneath... anyone had any experience of this?I'm seeing the obstetrician next week, so wondering whether to call and check, or leave it 10 days.

It does go away again if I have a proper rest (ie feet up for a few minutes or just sitting for half an hour etc etc)...

Thanks

J

[thisisyesterday]

no apparently it's normal for them to be stronger and earlier with subsequent pregnancies. I was talking to a midwife on another site just the other day with similar concerns!
apparently it's a good sign of your body getting ready and all that kind of stuff, so fear not"!

but beware, I am on pg 3 and they're actually really quite tremendous sometimes! lol

[WowOoo]

Have jsut seen a midwife and discussed this. Am only 19 weeks and was getting worried. Apparently tis common.

[Hawkmoth]

I'm getting mine at 15 weeks, but was very aware of them the first time from about 20 weeks.

They are an excellent reason to take it easy though... as you should!

[Jackaroo]

good stuff, thanks so much. I've actually started the leaving process at work. Feel like a complete chicken, but just the BHs plus low BP plus small very fast child equals completely knackered mummy!! Feel it gives me more reason to get on with it...

Thanks again, I'm reassured.

J

[theyoungvisiter]

FWIW I was talking about this to friends the other day - we have all just had our 2nd pg and we all said that we'd experienced a real surge of BH's around the 22/24 week mark. A couple of people had even thought they were going into premature labour.

I think your body suddenly starts to practice around that time. It seemed (in our group anyway) to be a real watershed point in the pregnancy.

(we all gave birth at term btw - in case you're worried!)

[Bumpsadaisie]

A slight tangent, but could you describe what BH's feel like?

I'm 27 weeks (first baby) and am not sure whether I have had them yet or not!

Many thanks!

[theyoungvisiter]

People seem to feel them differently - but to me they feel/felt like just an intense hardening of the bump, often when I got up from a chair or something. Often I couldn't feel them at all, except by pressing my bump and finding it had gone hard. Sometimes I would feel a tightening, or a sort of intense compressing feeling under my ribs.

They didn't hurt until really late on, when they felt uncomfortable, but not sharply painful if you know what I mean.

[thisisyesterday]

mine just feel like everything tightening up all over my tummy, bump feels all hard and if I get a strong one it can be a bit painful

[mumface]

Really glad i saw this thread i am 20weeks and the last few evenings i have been getting really strong braxton hicks.I couldn't get to sleep one night because of them. It's my 3rd PG and i didn't get them this strong and so early on before.Was beginning to worry i might go into early labour but sounds like it's quite normal now.