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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Talk to me about Braxton Hicks

16 replies

Teeste · 15/05/2015 11:03

I'm 35 weeks. At my last MW appt she asked if I'd been feeling any BHs and I said no. She said I probably was having them but, as I'm a first timer, I didn't know what they were. Is this true?

The only thing I can think of is when kiddo decides to have what feels like a big stretch for about 30 seconds (or tries to escape through my belly button, who knows!). I don't think I've had any uterus tightening-type sensations.

Does everyone get them? Is it bad that I haven't? Am I missing them? What did yours feel like?

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ovumahead · 15/05/2015 11:09

Whole belly area goes hard... Doesn't hurt, and can often be mistaken for a bug kick or stretch. How does your belly feel when you think your baby is stretching? Next time have a poke and see if it's gone hard all over.

If you're concerned, get some raspberry leaf tea (not the stuff from the supermarket, but loose stuff from a proper herbalist or tea shop) - it triggers Braxton hicks.

happy2bhomely · 15/05/2015 11:20

I don't think you would miss them. With my first 2 dc I didn't get a single one. No twinges at all. First sign of labour for dc1 was my waters breaking at 40+12, contractions started an hour later and he arrived 12 hours after that.

With dc 3 they started about 20 weeks. Tightenings all over my belly that lasted 30 seconds but with no pain, just an odd feeling.

With DC4 they started at 8 weeks. I was told this was impossible but it did happen. Very strong tightenings all the way through. Seriously every half hour from 8 weeks. By the time I was 40 weeks I was having them every 15 minutes day and night. They were so strong sometimes that they took my breath away. They increased the more active I was. Absolutely no pain though. Just a rock hard belly with palpitations!

By dc 5, it was one of the first signs I was pregnant.

Original poster

Teeste · 15/05/2015 12:03

When he stretches I can actually seem him doing it, as I can make out his outline - usually on the right side of my belly. So the other side is relatively soft, if you see what I mean. I have had a few of these stretches where it also makes me feel a little queasy, but I thought that was par for the course at this stage. I will keep poking at it though :)

I've had nothing that takes my breath away, no all over belly tightenings just lower backache, which again I thought was pretty normal at this point (he's an estimated 6lbs in there!). Maybe they'll start up soon? Or does it mean I'm in for an overduer? I'll have a go at finding some raspberry leaf tea too!

OP posts:

Stinkylinky · 15/05/2015 12:05

I'm 32+3 with my first, I've had braxton hicks once and I definitely knew about it. It was straight after sex, apparently an orgasm can trigger them.

FeelTheNoise · 15/05/2015 12:12

I get them after sex actually very scary, I completely seize up and my stomach bunches up into a solid ball. Terrifying in fact!

Number3cometome · 15/05/2015 12:26

FeelTheNoise

Snap, been getting them from very early on, does it every time!

FeelTheNoise · 15/05/2015 13:13

Really alarming isn't it? My poor traumatised baby

Number3cometome · 15/05/2015 13:55

I daren't tell OH, he is already convinced that the baby can see his penis

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 15/05/2015 14:08

Some women just don't have them or don't feel them anyway. I wouldn't start things that trigger labour too early just in case they work by the way as you're only 35 weeks at the moment

TakesTwoToTango · 15/05/2015 14:32

Yep, with my first pg I thought I wasn't getting them either. Just thought that space was getting a bit cramped in there so baby's periodic big stretches/rolls/kicks felt a bit weird and mildly uncomfy. I realized at about 39 weeks that those feelings were the Braxton Hicks! Was sort of obvious once I worked it out and they did change a bit/get stronger as I went on.

ovumahead · 15/05/2015 14:55

Btw raspberry leaf tea doesn't trigger labour. I drank it from about 20 weeks last pregnancy and went 10 days overdue. I got it lose from neils yard.

ovumahead · 15/05/2015 15:05

But obviously don't use anything without doing your own research!

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 15/05/2015 15:32

That's what I thought too but my midwife said don't take it until 37 weeks just in case. I only got to 36 though so that ended up being a theoretical discussion anyway!

BlissfullyIgnorant · 15/05/2015 15:51

I was booked for a routine CS so went in as normal, got hooked up to the machine that goes 'ping' and midwife asked if I was having contractions. 'No,' say I, 'Just Braxton Hicks'. So when my waters broke that night they checked the trace again - I'd been having 'Good strong contractions.' Not quite BH and not the huffing swear-worthy pains I'd expected??

Number3cometome · 15/05/2015 16:03

With DC1 I didn't have any BH's until very late on, they weren't that different to labour (early labour) except obviously less painful.

With DC2 they started earlier and were stronger

With this baby (30+5 now) they have been coming since 8 weeks, sometimes they make my eyes water!

MrsFbabyNo1 · 15/05/2015 18:00

31+1 and don't think I've had any yet but have had dull aches like period pains (few v low where c section would be done) odd few times recently and wondered if just baby moving and can feel some discomfort (not like kicks / prod at other times).

So was reading this post intrigued... then just had some period type pain again lying down just a mo ago. Felt my tummy and it was indeed hard. Now the pain has gone and belly is squishier. I'm guessing that it probably some BH now??!!

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