Regular braxton hicks

[spydie]

Currently 31 weeks with DC2. I'm a slim build and with DC1 easily noticed I was getting braxton hicks from about 28 weeks.

This time round I first noticed them quite early, maybe 15 weeks ish. They haven't really bothered me although they are stronger this time round and over the weeks have gradually increased in strength. Was monitored for reduced movements at 28 weeks and trace picked up irregular tightenings, the hospital advised I shouldn't be getting them that early, was examined but cervix closed and sent on my way.

Over the past few weeks they have continued, sometimes getting quite strong and on the verge of being really uncomfortable but usually settle again after a couple of hours (they are really frequent ie every few minutes and don't stop if I change position). Sometimes I feel really odd with them and get a period type back ache.

So last night I went back in for reduced movements (luckily naughty baby had flipped beech and was perfectly fine) however again the trace was showing tightenings every 2 minutes. I'd been getting them for about an hour before we went in and they carried on until after I'd gone to bed, maybe 5 hours or so in total and constantly every couple minutes, no matter what my position was. I explained to the MWs all of the above re getting them regularly (every day!) and the periods of more uncomfortable ones and that I was working on the basis I'd know if they were actually getting stronger and phone up. They sent me home (I got the impression the last thing they wanted was to have to call the on call DR!) And again just told to keep an eye.

Had a few this morning but feel fine. I'm not particularly worried but more a bit puzzled as everyone at the hospital always seems of the opinion I shouldn't be getting them. does anyone get these really regular BH's!? Or is this something like an irritable uterus?

I get them very regular and like you had them early on in both my second and this pregnancy. In my second they used to say I shouldn’t have them that early but now in my third apparently it’s normal. I, like you, went in for reduced movements, I was 30 weeks and they showed up on the monitor regularly but they didn’t even bother with them as it was normal!

I'm glad it's not just me then! They kind of looked at me like when both times I've said, oh yes, their braxton hicks and I get them all the time. I'm totally working on the basis that if they actually get painful rather than uncomfortable then I'll be concerned and ring triage if it's still way off my due date... but until then I won't. I'm having growth scans and regular clinic appointments in addition to regular MW appointments anyway, so it's not like I'm not being monitored (that's for low papp-a).

Yeah I’m the same. Sounds like a good plan to me

I have this too. It's not that uncommon. They're not actually really Braxton Hicks, it's an irritable uterus. That might help you glean more from Google. There's not much clinically written on them though.