Did your Braxton Hicks get stronger and start earlier with each pregnancy?

[ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

I am 26 weeks with ds3 and I have recently started to get BH's and they are really strong. They are a lot stronger than my previous pregnancies and I'm sure they've started earlier as well.

As soon as I try to do anything physical (this morning it was hoovering) they start and my bump stays rock hard and uncomfortable for about 10 minutes.

Also, did I read somewhere that being dehydrated can make them worse?

Yes you did and if you are bursting for a wee :)

I don't remember mine being as strong before as they are this time. They started at 20 ish weeks, and were mainly in the evening while I was sat, but now they start if I walk about as well which is a pain as baby feels like its all in the front as it is. Although as its transverse, it probably is.

As long as they aren't painful thats ok :) Supposed to be good, but I had them a lot with my eldest at the end, and that was all I had was the practice ones lol.

Many thanks for your response, I just can't believe how much more uncomfortable they are, and so early on in the pregnancy.

I'm thinking they were worse this morning because I hadn't drunk much.

28 weeks with DC3 and yes, definitely.

Don't think i had any with DS1, maybe an odd one with DS2 late on, but have had loads from pre-20wks (can't remember exactly when).

They are uncomfortable and awkward, and i can really feel exactly where my uterus is.

(can also feel how much padding there is lol!)

Glad it's not just me JKS, I'll have to do the fundus check next time I get a bh.

I've had them so frequently and strong that I ended up phoning triage!! They can take my breath away. I don't remember getting them before 34 weeks with DC1 and 2, but I've had them since 14 weeks, which seems weird - but there you go!

I find that bending forward triggers a strong one, and I think I get more when I'm tired.

They've stopped me exercising as I get so uncomfortable. I don't know if this is the right thing to do or not. But I was told that it's the body's way of saying slow down....so I have. Hope I don't regret it later...

Sounds the same as me. Didn't feel them AT ALL with DS (although the MW could tell I was having them when she checked me! She said 'ooh lovely strong BH' and I said 'Really?! I haven't felt a thing')

This pregnancy (am 30 weeks) I am feeling them really quite strongly, like a tightening or pulling over my belly.

So maybe they get stronger, or maybe it's like baby movements, you feel them earlier and more strongly because of what your body has gone through before? Perhaps.

I know what you mean Muffin, I try to be all stiff upper lip about them and plough on through them, but who knows what the best thing to do is? DH always makes me slow down and stop what I'm doing.

With ds1 I didn't realise what they were either, but I'm sure they were more tightenings rather than feeling very uncomfortable

I keep worrying DH (or anyone nearby!) as i wince and say ouch when they happen and hold/rub my bump.
Everyone seems convinced i've gone into labour all of a sudden!

ouch - having one right now!

I'm 25 weeks with DC4 and was going to start this exact thread!
Am having them now!

DH and I were enjoying some adult time the other night and they were so bad I was rolling around the bed in agony. I was half wincing and half laughing because it was such a ridiculous situation! DH got quite worried at first until I explained what was going on

I haven't told OH, he already asks me whats wrong if I have my hand on my bump, cos it must only be cos there is something wrong not cos I want to feel him/her kicking [rolls eyes] If I told him was having BH whether or not they were normal he would be convinced it was a sign of something happening lol.