braxton hicks? how do you know if your getting them?

[18mumtobe]

hi everyone

this may sound abit stupid (im a first timer) but how do you know if your getting braxton hicks or not.
im 35+5 pregnant, so should i be getting them now? i do feel some tightness around the bottom of bump sometimes but not very often and it dosen't hurt at all.
do braxton hicks hurt? and will i definatley know when im getting them.
the baby is back to back and not really engaged yet is that why im not really feeling anything yet?

well advice will be welcome
thanx xxx

[suzywong]

no it doesn't hurt and the tightness is more around the sides and wideset part of your bump and tightens and releases very quickly, and tbh 35+ sounds a bit too early, it's usually the last couple of weeks, don't want to worry you, am sure your tight feelings are no cause for concern


hth

[Tinker]

Um, mine do hurt and have been having them from about 20 weeks. But think everyone is different

[kid]

I think the more pregnancies the earlier you get them. Also, IME the more pregnancies, the stronger they get.

[Lua]

Hi mum to be - I think everybody feel it diferently. They are basically practice contraction, and I bet money if you ask peeople to describe what a contraction is like, you'll also get 20 different responses!
I am a second timer, but I've been getting them since 20 weeks! They can be painful or not. But I wouldn't worry either way!

[Lua]

BTW , I was having actual contractions every 2 minutes with my DD and wasn't sure what they were...

[WigWamBam]

I didn't have any Braxton Hicks at all with my dd, I'm told that it's not uncommon not to have them with a first pregnancy.

[18mumtobe]

thanx everyone for your help

[Miaou]

I'm on my third pregnancy and yet to experience Braxton Hicks

[Mirage]

I'm 34 wks with my 2nd & have never had Braxton Hicks either!

[shhhh]

I'm a first timer and have been having BH's since about 26 weeks, concerned as I didn't know what they were I went into hospital to be told they were BH's. The midwife told me they don't hurt but after speaking to the consultant he advised me that they differ with people and can hurt!
BTW my BH's hurt (Well suppose not as bad a contractions but yet to experience them), the top of my tummy goes hard and I sometimes stop what i'm doing to concentrate and to wait till they go. I'm now 37wk+5.