How does the braxton hicks contraction feel like?

[Nikita99]

Hello ladies,

My sister is completing the 18th week of her pregnancy this Monday. Since the last few days, she has been complaining about an occasional feeling of tightness in her abdomen which almost knocks her out of breath for an instant. Its not painful, but she is still getting worried about it as it is only her first pregnancy. We did some research on the internet and found out about the braxton hicks or false contractions. But apparently, they do not occur before the third trimester. Could my sister be having these false contractions a little earlier than normal or are they something different?

She shouldn't be having braxton hicks yet certainly not at 18 weeks.
It could be her womb stretching or could be the baby moving. It could also be unrelated to her pregnancy
She should really speak to or visit her midwife.

I read somewhere that you can get braxton hicks from the beginning, you just can usually feel them til much later on.

If she's worried she should call her mw.

As above poster says. I've been having these tightenings for a while and thought they were BH. However, now I'm 38 wks and had what I'm fairly sure was a BH contraction earlier this week. Felt like a period pain in my lower abdomen (under bump) and lower back. Lasted about 5 mins and not been back since.

First, don't panic! I have had 2 DCs, both carried beyond term and with both I had Braxton Hicks from about 18 weeks. Daily. For me it felt like the early stages of labour.

That being said, she needs to call her midwife and get checked out. Immediately. With my second DD I had the first lot away from home coinciding with me thinking my waters had broken so admitted to hospital for obs. You can't be too careful. But it will hopefully be nothing.

You get them right from the beginning you just don't usually feel them.

If you're worried about anything during your pregnancy then don't google, go speak to your midwife no matter how small. Peace of mind is a must I think.

Is she drinking enough I would look at first? It's a pain in the arse all those toilet visits and easier to just cut back on drinking but the body doesn't like it much, especially in this weather.

Tell your sister to speak to her midwife, either in a quick phone call or at her next appointment.

Thank you so much for all your replies. She has an appointment with her doctor on Sunday and will mention it then. Talked to her after reading the replies and she said the tightenings are now less frequent. That has got to be a good sign.
Also, here it says you can get BH in the second trimester too, although it is rare. She is much relieved now that the tightenings are reducing in frequency.

Trazzletoes, it is such a relief to know that you also had them from the 18th week. I am sure everything is fine and her doctor will confirm it soon.

With both DCs my midwives were concerned but after they had happened on and off for a couple of weeks they were just like, oh get on with it! No need to call us every time!

They were very uncomfortable and also regular - every few minutes. It would get quite scary as I would often worry I was in labour. I used to use the Contraction Master ( I think) app to time them which helped. Midwives also said it could be stress- related so I spent an inordinate amount of time chilling out . I don't know anyone else who has had BH like me though so I would always recommend being seen by a health professional. Glad she has an appointment. I just wanted to reassure you and her that it isn't necessarily a reason to panic.