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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

How many braxton hicks are too many?

11 replies

DaleyBump · 04/10/2013 01:18

I'm 31+6 and have been getting lots and lots of bh's tonight. I've just had two in two minutes. I've been getting them since 16 weeks and they've been getting gradually more frequent but should they be this frequent or is it something to worry about?

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Dollybird86 · 04/10/2013 01:27

If u can time them and they are regular id call the MAU I was told that they shouldn't last longer than an hour. Hope your ok

DaleyBump · 04/10/2013 01:33

Oh bollocks. Thanks :)

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DaleyBump · 04/10/2013 01:37

Would it be really bad to not call them? They'll just want me to go in and I have no way to get there (none of us drive and no public transport this late) and I'm going up for physio tomorrow anyway...

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katebakes · 04/10/2013 04:05

Keep an eye on baby's movements if you're not going to go in. monitor them obsessively and see how you are x

Trazzletoes · 04/10/2013 04:30

Keep an eye on baby's movements and how you feel.

With both my DCs I had BH from 24 weeks. Every night. Every 3 minutes, like clockwork. With DC2, I thought my waters had gone at 24 weeks so went to hospital where they felt my BH and were very concerned i was in early labour, steroid injection etc.

I wasn't, it's just how my pregnancies go. They would occasionally be very strong as well to the point where, in the later stages I would lie awake at night wondering whether this was it.

Both my DCs went overdue Grin

Also, the BH would go on for HOURS sometimes 3 days at a time. It's just what happens when I'm pregnant.

Drs just told me to chill out.

What I'm trying to say is there may well be no cause for concern even if they are frequent and last ages. HOWEVER it is always worth getting checked out if you've not had them lke this before.

No , you don't have to call them and they can't stop labour once it's started anyway, but it is usually better safe than sorry. If you decide not to call them just try and sleep, warm milk or something, relax, try not to think about them. They can be a bit like hiccups and go away if you ignore them Grin

Trazzletoes · 04/10/2013 04:33

Tbh if they m are getting strong and closer together that's when I would worry. In my experience ( and I understand it's fairly unusual to have them as bad as I did)regular was fine.

Not sure why I just said ignore them if you should be monitoring them! I found the Contraction monitor app really helpful if you have a smartphone or a laptop just google it. MIT times the contractions and intensity and plots a graph for you as to how they are going.

DaleyBump · 04/10/2013 15:41

Sorry! Fell asleep Blush they eased off and I've had none today :) thank you :)

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HorryIsUpduffed · 04/10/2013 20:49

I get them all day - every ten minutes for two hours this afternoon.

So long as they are not painful (can be uncomfortable but shouldn't hurt) and you are still noticing regular fetal movement, it's probably fine.

However it can be a sign that you're overdoing things so allow more time for rest during the day and make sure you're eating well.

Chacha23 · 05/10/2013 09:20

My pregnancy has pretty much been one giant BH, from week 20 or so.

Currently 39 weeks, so I'm only now getting reassured it won't make the baby come early!

WhenSheWasBadSheWasExhausted · 05/10/2013 09:32

Just another poster who gets lots of braxton hicks. If you are worried check it out.
I get loads of braxton hicks from about week 30 onwards, it didn't seem to mean labour was imminent.

whilewildeisonmine · 05/10/2013 09:36

I'm getting them a lot too. I had them in my last pregnancy (didn't realise I was in labour as I thought contractions were just BH!) and have been told they're often more intense in subsequent pregnancies.

I've been having them almost nightly for the past 10 or so weeks am 36 weeks now) and they have been pretty regular when I have them. It's only recently that I've been told that anymore than 4 in an hour then I should call but seeing as its all been ok so far I haven't. The MW doesn't seem too concerned when I mention them.

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