Bump tightness, mild discomfort and feeling slightly odd

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I may be being paranoid but can anyone tell me if this is normal??? I'm 18 weeks and feeling slightly odd/unwell but not ill properly. My bump also seems tighter and I have intermittent absominal pains that could be wind but I don't think it is. Should I just sit it out and see?

No idea about the feeling odd and the pains, but the bump being tight might be braxton hicks contractions which you can have (feel) throughout pregnancy. Does it seems to slacken off at all? If so, that is a Braxton hicks contraction.

How do you mean by feeling slightly unwell/odd?

I had this at about 30 weeks. It turned out to be early contractions. Too regular for Braxton Hicks. They put me on IV fluids and things calmed down after a few hours. I went on to carry ds to 40 weeks, btw. So, anyway, my advice is, if you don't feel right about how you are feeling IYKWIM, go in. If it's nothing, you will be reassured. If not, you'll be glad you went.

Hiya - sounds like braxton hicks, esp the tightness. I had that at around the same time and it's a bizarre feeling!!

For your own peace of mind you can always give the midwife a quick ring and ask, she won;t mind at all

I've just been for a short walk to buy some bananas(!) and have decided that the discomfort is in my stomach rather than uterus or bowel. My bump is also looking bigger suddenly today so I'm now thinking that it must just be wind trapped in my actual stomach. I did feel what you described as a Baxton hicks earlier - just a painless tightening and relaxing. thank you for your help!

If only I could - they never answer the phone.....I met mine at my booking appointment and she never once looked at me. All very odd. It was all so surreal that I wonder if the hospital even exists.

My hospital/midwives werelike that too - I spent my whole pregnancy thanking God that it wasn't my first or i would have been terrified!!

Have you got a number on your notes for the maternity ward or something? If you ring them there will be loads of midwives on shift who'll be more than happy to help you with anything .... and probably a bit nicer too!!

I've got a number for the labour ward but I was told not to phone it unless I was 30+ weeks I think it was. The first hurdle is to get safely through hospital switchboard! This is not the same subject at all but I have a sudden burning question - will DH be able to stay with me all the way through labour regardless of the time of day/night or what stage I'm at?

Yes dh will be able to stay with you throughout..unless your hospital is stuck in the dark ages.Don't worry on that score.If you still feel odd tomorrow give your hosp a ring or gp.Someone should be on hand to talk to you.

I had a lot of IBS-like symptoms at around 20wks and so did quite a few of us on my antenatal thread. Your digestive system is working less quickly--more time for trapped wind, etc! I found peppermint tea helpful.