Braxton hicks at 30 weeks - FTM

[littlebug19]

Hi,

I'm just looking for some reassurance. I'm 30+4 with my first baby and have been having tightenings/Braxton Hicks for about 3.5 weeks now. I hadn't really thought too much of it until I was admitted to maternity assessment on Friday for reduced movements.

Everything is fine, but they did pick up some of these tightenings on the monitor and said it was quite early to be having them. They did a swab to test for chances of pre-term labour and everything came back ok, but they did say to keep an eye on things and take it easy. One midwife even said 'just try to keep him in there a few more weeks' and recommended I pack my hospital bag 

I didn't really over think it at the time, but as time has passed I am getting really paranoid about it and know I'm probably worrying over nothing but I just wondered if anyone had experienced anything similar or was in the same position with the BH?

Thanks x

I'd been having them for a while (without realising they were BH) - no mistaking them now at 36+6. It's good that they are taking It seriously but you might find it's all ok.

I wouldn’t worry too much, I had them from 28 wks in first pregnancy and about 24 weeks this one. This pregnancy is classed as high risk and they’ve been very cautious, but even though I have BH every day they are fine and just keep stressing “any change or reduction in movements” I need to go in. Might be a good idea to have your bag packed, but if you can tell that these are Braxtons, it’s quite normal to have them. If they persist over an hour OR stay regular then I would get checked out. Hope that helps.

I had Braxton Hicks from about 25wks, just the odd one now and then that lasted about a minute. By 30wks I was having spells of them lasting for hours and quite painful. I thought I was gearing up for at least an on time birth if not an early one - he was born at 40+6 and I was induced! So in my case not an indication of baby being ready!

I've had them since 19 weeks. I'm now nearly 23 weeks. Midwife and hospital told me it was normal!

Having the same OP (at 31 weeks) - also have a few bits going on which might cause Pre-term so has made me hyper aware of FM (I know there important but I wish they'd stop mentioning it - have become so conscious/paranoid about them - (I don't think the 'try and keep him in there for a few more weeks pack, a bag' comment would have done me any favours at all!!!)

It is completely normal! I'm a midwife and those monitors pick up braxton hicks all the time. If they aren't painful then you really don't need to worry! With contractions you should be concerned if you have painful and regular contractions that are happening before 37 weeks.

@Tinypause I have Fibroids (red degeneration), Spd and a Placenta previa and Braxton Hicks always cause a bit of pain and/or pressure...it's difficult to know?
It's so hard not to stress!

I’ve had them since 26 weeks, mostly painless but sometimes slightly uncomfortable (like a very mild period cramp). Now 36 weeks and baby is showing no signs of wanting to budge!

Thank you all for replying and putting my mind at ease! Think I will still crack on and get my hospital bag packed just to be on the safe side x

@littlebug19 (getting mine packed now too :) )

I was also told by my midwife that they can be caused by being a bit dehydrated? So make sure you are drinking plenty x

It's not quite early to be having them at all.
I'd complain about anyone who said that, that's very stupid and wrong information.

We have braxtkn hicks all the time. Even at 4,5,6 weeks pregnant!
We just don't necessarily feel them.

I begin to feel them from about 14 weeks.

Some women never feel them at all, even when the monitor is telling them they're happening.

To say it's too early at 30 weeks is a very uneducated thing to say and I would not want that person looking after me again if they get such simple information incorrect.

I had them from 26 weeks. She was born by planned section at 37 weeks. Absolutely no signs of any inclination to come out of her own accord!

They're just your uterus warming up for the main event, I thought

I had regular tightenings with my first from about 30 weeks, I've had them this time from about 23 weeks. I probably did the first time but didn't know what it was. Sometimes a bit uncomfortable but pain free and totally normal.