Braxton Hicks very early on

[jenbird]

Hi
I am 18 weeks pg with dc4 and today have been having tightenings around my abdominal area (I won't say bump as I still just look fat) which feel like BH's. Has anyone else had Braxton Hicks very early on? Is it even possible or am I imagining things?!
When I was pregnant with my dc2 I remember getting them from 24 weeks esp when I was doing overly physical work. I always took them as a little warning that I needed top rest a little. I have had a very busy week (returning from holiday, lots viewings on our house, mum in hosp with a stroke) and feel like I have been rushing round non stop and do feel completely knackered.
Anyone else experienced this?
Many thanks x

mine started around 20 weeks with ds2 and just got more and more.
I had suspected UTI's causing them, but once treated the BH's didn't abate.
At 31 weeks I went into hospital and they did a trace, I sat with my feet up for an hour being monitored and had less in that hour than for ages - and when they read the trace they hit the roof, kept me in and gave me steriods!
They continued in that vein, about 5/6 an hour, every hour, until I finally gave birth at 37 weeks (ds1 had also been 37 wks)

Hi jen, I will be 18 wks on Thurs with baby no 3 and have had BH for around 6 weeks now, bizarre to feel something happening in something I wasn't even sure how big it was yet- IYSWIM!!

I had BH all the way through my other 2 pgs though cannot remember how early on, and so completely expected them this time too. I've never noticed a connection between them and anything I've done (erm, except orgasm [blush!!!] but I would guess everyone's different.

I'm 26 weeks and expecting DS2 and have had braxton hicks since week 14. The midwife helpfully said "it can't be, it's too early", but failed to provide an answer to what they could be

I've found that keeping properly hydrated (like MORE than 2ltrs a day), keeps them away.

Yep. Have had them since 16 or so weeks (second baby). You actually have them from 7 week apparently but don't feel them until a bit later usually. Even with my first I had them from about 22 weeks ish. I have also heard the keeping well hydrated, though I drink a LOT and it seems to make no difference to me.

I think they are a good sign the body is getting ready to be efficient during labour- my first was a week early and fairly easy/short birth hopes

Yeah go with the short labour theory. Ds2 was a 15 minute labour after my 4 months of BH's. I do have to say that the first real contraction made me think the months of BH's had been a walk in the park though.

I've got 4dc and I seemed to get more BH and earlier BH with each pregnancy.
And fwiw (re short labour theory) I has BH from 19 weeks with DC4 and she was born within 26 mins of the first twinge of labour

I had better watch out then!

Interestingly, some of my NCT friends didn't have BH or didn't have many/didn't really notice them. My labour was the shortest and the easiest out of the group. Though I have no idea if this actually correlates...I also went a bit mad on raspberry leaf tea and capsules from about 36 weeks!

Yep, 15 wks with no 2 and noticed them for the first time last night.

I'm watching this with interest. Baby no 2 and I've been having tightenings since about 16 weeks. I too was having them regularly with baby 1 and was admitted to hospital after a trace at 35 weeks, but she wasn't born till 38 weeks!

I seem to be getting them alot this pregnancy with no 3. Don't remember than till very end with 1 and 2.

21 weeks and had them since about 19 weeks. Every afternoon for 3 days they were constant and took my breath away. Did have uti and thrush that made them worse and resting seems to keep them at bay. I now take them as a sign to slow down.