Freaking out about painful Braxton Hicks...

[PaigeTurner]

Sorry if this has been done to death, had a look through the archives but couldn't see anything similar.

Just want to know if it's normal to get really painful Braxton Hicks? I'm 25 weeks with my first.

Last night I woke up thinking I'd stretched my bump awkwardly on the side I was lying on, then it started to get worse really quickly, felt like food poisoning pains low down on the bump, and and went round to my back - but only on that one side.

The pain was so bad I thought I was going to be sick - but within a couple of minutes it had gone.

I stayed awake (in shock!) for an hour and just felt a bit uncomfortable now and then, with bump tightenings and what felt like trapped wind at top of bump for a bit.

Please tell me not all Braxton Hicks are as painful as this? I will be useless in labour if so!

Braxton Hicks are not painful at all in my expirience. Perhaps you hould have a word with midwife about it.

I am 27 weeks with first and I have had two experiences very similar to yours (allthough i didn't get the back pain).
I am not sure if it was braxton hicks or something else - but i'll ask the midewife when I see her next.

Mine hurt like hell, all the way through my first pregnancy. They were, effectively, mini-contractions.

Thanks - it's good to know I'm not alone. If I have another one I'll mention it to my midwife.

Try drinking. I've just had a false labour brought on by being dehydrated.

I always (3rd DC) have painful braxton hicks. It's my worst part of the while thing!!

Hi :) I had braxton hicks from 30 wks and they were painful at times. Infact the nearer my due date the more painful they got and lasted a lot longer. I was 2cm dilated at 38 wks for well over a wk and during this time they were more regular.

I had my daughter at 39+1 (she's 6 days old today) and for 2 days prior the pain was stronger than ever. Infact last Monday I was sat at home and at 9pm they started up again, thought nothing of it untill they came every 5mins then I went to the toilet and my waters were leaking. Phone the hospital came in and was 4cm dilated by 03.42 I had my little girl :) I think everyone will experience different things but mine were really painful at times and I had many false alarms during this period.

Good luck and hope all goes well for you :)

Congrats Watersprite!

I guess I will have to start practising my breathing if they come back - have felt a bit weird all day today, bump is quite uncomfortable and feel sick

I have had them incredibly frequently (six or seven an hour) for the last ten days (currently 31 weeks). I was in hospital with them as they thought it was a preterm labour when they monitored me. I am having one now as I type and mine are pretty painful and I can even feel it in my back but my consultant says they are braxton hicks and I have an 'irritable uterus'.

If it's any consolation, I had 'normal' ones in my second pregnancy .

Nicky I could of wrote that myself, your situations sounds so familiar to mine. I had many false alarms with my braxton hicks and was also told I had an irritable uterus and that even consipation or a urine infection and thrush could set them off. I was also monitored at 34+6 because they thought it was premature labour and at one stage they wanted to give me steriods to strengthen babies lungs just incase.

Towards the end of my pregnancy they would last between 4-8hrs and then die off but felt stronger every time they came back. x

watersprite, really and how far did you go to your due date? I had an internal examination yesterday which has caused a 'show' and now I am freaking out! With that and the contractions I am a bit worried.