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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Early Braxton Hicks. Alarming?

12 replies

tidyjane · 08/11/2006 17:57

Hi, I've been getting what I think are Braxton Hicks (from experience from my last pregnancy) since 17 weeks of pregnancy.
They are not that regular, probably when I move around a lot or when I've been walking a lot, but I had my 20 weeks check today and when I told the midwife she told me that it wasn't really supposed to happen this early.
But that there was nothing she could do about it.
Would you be alarmed by this if you were in my shoes?
Any experiences?
Thank you.

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moomimin · 08/11/2006 18:04

Hi tidyJane, I had strong braxton hicks from about 21 weeks. It is early but I don't thnk it is that unusall. dd was 2 weeks late and induced in the end, so they certainly didn't have any effect on me. As long as they are not accompanied by pain. They may get more uncomfortable, mine were by about 28 weeks but not really Pain. IYKWIM

Try not to worry and best of luck with the last half of your pg'cy.

Gem13 · 08/11/2006 18:10

I was having some strong aches and pains the other day (32 weeks) and looked up Braxton Hicks. The site I came across said that they happen all the way through your pregnancy but you only tend to feel them later on.

I wouldn't be worried.

Baconbaps · 08/11/2006 18:19

Hiya

I've had them the whole way through this pregnancy (I'm now 35 weeks) and I think it's pretty normal for these tightenings to happen from around the middle of pregnancy or earlier. They are a bit more uncomfortable now I'm bigger but there is no pain as such.

If they are painful or very frequent and you're worried then there's nothing wrong with ringing the hospital or midwife just to put your mind at rest. Apparently if you're dehydrated this can trigger BH so make sure you drink plenty of fluids.

www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/antenatalhealth/physicalhealth/braxtonhicks/?_requestid=225142

Sorry no good at links but if you copy and paste you might find that page useful. Good luck with the rest of your PG

lulumama · 08/11/2006 18:26

i had them from 20 weeks..couldn;t always feel them, but my bump went rock hard! ....and to the point by 33 weeks , they were so strong i couldn;t walk when they were happening!! i wouldn;t be alarmed if they are BH...if any other signs of impending prem labour then yes.

bleeding

waters breaking

contractions becoming stronger., lasting longer , increasing in intensity and becoming close together.....

otherwise.....don;t worry!!

lulumama · 08/11/2006 18:26

Baconbaps link!

Baconbaps · 08/11/2006 18:33

Ta muchly lulumama! I've tried with the links but can't think what I'm doing wrong!

I found it quite comforting earlier on to see my bump go rock hard! It always seemed to go to one side as well which looked really odd. Now it's a bit uncomfortable as it makes the bump feel even bigger and feels like it's squeezing my bladder at the same time! Ah well, not long now.

lulumama · 08/11/2006 18:35

s'aright...you missed off these bits

\link{ your link here }

hope the rest of your pregnancy and the birth go really well for you!

JodieG1 · 08/11/2006 19:43

If they come regularly or get stronger then I would call the midwife. Also if you get more thn 4-6 an hour as that is quite a lot.

Original poster

tidyjane · 08/11/2006 20:45

Thank you everyone for your replies.
I definately don't get anywhere near 4 to 6 an hour let alone more, at the moment it's more like 1 a week (although some days I get more than some others, like 3 or 4 in one day or something and then nothing for a few days.).
But thank you very much again, I was also wandering if when your trousers are too tight around the waist, could that trigger them.
I'v definately noticed that I get them more when dehydrated, but likewise when I drink too much (can't win). Also the baby's movements seem to trigger them.

OP posts:

lulumama · 08/11/2006 20:51

if they are that infrequent... don;t worry...! honestly..don;t think tight clothes would trigger it,but you should make sure your clothes are comfortable.......just because it is nicer for you!!

Ettenna · 11/11/2006 13:06

this sounds really stupid - but i'm not quite sure what BH are. is it really obvious when you have them?

lulumama · 11/11/2006 13:44

Hi ettenna...not a stupid question!

they are practice contractions....your uterus sort of toning itself up and getting ready for the big day!!

sometimes you can feel them....like a tightening around your bump..other times, your bump will tighten up without you being aware of it!

towards the end of pregnancy you can get them a lot, and they can be mistaken for true labour , but there are ways to distinguish if they are a false alarm or not!

i used to get really strong ones in the last couple of months, where i couldn't walk for a moment, while it was happening!!

you can experience them to varying degrees......don;t worry too much about them!!!

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