braxton hicks

[helenbalancelife]

I thought these came later in pregnancy but have expereinced my first few, fitting all the descriptions in the book. Although it says they often start mid pregnancy I think I had my first around 17 weeks. Anyone else have them this early? Just suprised really

Yes mine started really early too, around 16 weeks or so I think. Am now 30 weeks and they are just constant - infact have just been googling "constant braxton hicks" incase it means anything! Doesn't seem to though, nor them starting early.

Mine started early in all 3 pregnancies. Now I am 36 weeks and they are crippling. I have to walk so carefully when they strike, people are starting to look at me. It isn't painful but it is so tight and uncomfortable. They make me huff and puff too. I think my family all think I am a drama queen but I can't help it. Cos Mum didn't have them she thinks I am hamming them up.

OnEdge- I'm exactly the same as you!

Have had them early and loads in all 3 pregnancies but this is the most and worst by far (37 weeks at the weekend).

Midwives have all said that they stand you in good stead for labour though and i've been told i have a high pain threshold in labor which i would put down to good practice!

Thanks for the imput as it's made me realise I am not so unusual! I mentioned it to three people who all went "oh i never had them".

They remind me of the quick sweeping spasm of a period pain I'd get when I was a teenager and had just started my periods. Whilst everythings busy contracting I try to tell myself that its all good practice.

What I now want to know (as a first time Mum)is are labour pains an intense / prolonged version of this? I always seem to get a little kick or nudge from the baby afterwards too!

I had loads with my first pregnancy and haven't had many this time round. IME Braxton Hicks weren't a tenth of a patch on real labour pains.

I found that I felt BH across my bump, whereas the focus of labour pains was in my lower back, almost focussed on my coccyx. Some people described labour pains to me as like very very bad period pain but that wasn't the way I felt it.

I had lots of Braxton Hicks with my first pregnancy and actually didn't realise when I was in labour as they felt the same to me! They did, of course, get progressively worse when it was the real thing, but to start with, no difference at all. I'm pregnant again and getting them now, which I'd rather not as they are extremely uncomfortable, but I guess that is just the way I am. Like you, mine started around 16/17 weeks. Seems to be quite common, so try not to worry.

dont worry, i been getting them since 18wks, and im 36wks, and they are really painful, the mw said the more babies you have the worse they become xx im on my 4th.