Hard stomach ... soft stomach

[islandbaby]

Hey all

I'm curious about why my stomach sometimes feels rock hard, but then a little later will feel super soft and squishy again.

I read that braxton hicks make you stomach solid for the duration of the 'contraction', but I'm not getting any pain. I only notice it if i happen to be rubbing my tummy at the time.

Thanks

Hi- I was very aware from this from quite early on...yes it's just Braxton Hicks, they happen throughout pregnancy but most people only notice them when they are a lot bigger.

yup braxton hicks..mine started out like that but now they are actually really painful (but are not real contractions as cervix is closed). Keep an eye on it though as if your having them really really frequently its worth mentioning to your midwife.

It can also be the baby's position - if their back or head is against your abdomen it'll feel hard.

I wondered what this was too!

I wasn't aware of braxton hicks first time but I do vaguely remember having a hard stomach sometimes. DS was at the front though and very active. This time DD is at the back and very very low down so I can barely feel her moving half the time and I am 20 weeks.

island i had BH with my first 2, never with any pain. They have an article on here about BH which will give you more info.

Thanks for the replies. I'm 30 weeks, so seems right I should be getting them. I was surprised I wasn't to be honest.

They're a little difficult to monitor unfortunately, as I can't feel them unless I feel my stomach, but I will make a more concerted effort.

My bump is rock hard for several minutes at a time and I'm only sometimes aware of a BH contraction. It's more frequent at the end of the day when I'm tired. I'm sure it's ok.

You don't need to monitor Braxton Hicks contractions.

octaviapink...erm yes you do if you are getting them very frequently because it could be a sign of premature labour. My consultant has put me on bed rest and told me to monitor them and any slight changes go to the L and D at once.

Hi, I've just been put on bed rest at 27 weeks and given muscle relaxants for frequent contractions. The midwife at the emergency ward told me that Braxton Hicks (at this stage at least) are normal when you move, but you shouldn't have more than ten a day while at rest. She hooked me up to the monitoring for half an hour and noticed I was having them while lying down, which needs to be monitored.

I'm 38wks tomorrow & have a rock hard stomach more often than not - my midwife just comments on how my bump is "all baby"! I am carrying alot of extra fluid though, so perhaps that's got something to do with it?

Never had this with DS1 but definitely with DS2 from somewhere round 25 weeks (I think ). My stomach would literally tighten up and stay rock hard for a while then relax - never had any pain at all with them and they were very random. It freaked me out at first (having never had it with my first pregnancy) but then I quite liked it - Dh would not touch my tummy though during one