Tummy rock hard and tightening below 36wks

[mummyemily]

Can anyone explain what this feeling are? last night my whole bump went rock hard and i felt like someone was pulling by cervix up from the inside (almost the feeling when you work your pelvic floor muscles) continued for about 2 minutes then eased then happened again three of four time last evening but nothing today? Also have some terrible bruising on my bump but can not recall having knocked myself on anything but the are big and black?

re big black bruises - tell MW and ask for a full blood count check as platelets (the stickybits that prevent excessive bruising) can drop in pregnancy

Not sure about the bruising - I'd ring the midwife about that asap if it was me... but someone else may be along with some useful info.

Re the tightenings they are Braxton hicks contractions, which are practice contractions that your body does to prepare for labour. Don't panic though it doesn't mean labour is imminent (some women feel them almost all the way through pregnancy!) but if they become regular, like every ten mins, I'd ring the labour ward. This is assuming your waters haven't broken or anything...

Thank you ladies! I thought they might be but having never had them in my first pregnancy wasn't sure. going to bee midwife on thursday about the bruising as more have come up today!

My braxton hick have started and I am only 28 weeks. They are not painful but they are uncomfortable.

Dehydration can make BH worse, so given the weather your having in the UK lots and lots of water might make things a bit less uncomfortable for you both.

thanks for that

am off to drink more water..

I had Braxton hicks from 17 weeks, they take my breath away sometimes. Now 29 weeks...