Braxton hicks 😣

[hanadavis90]

Really dull question; i am 29 (ish weeks) on baby #5 and have never felt what i am feeling now.

For weeks, i have had this really odd, constant feeling like a band of pins and needles across the top of my bump. Sometimes it feels almost numb, others it is a raging, throbbing pain (imagine the day after leg day). These pains last anything from 25 minuites to hours. Nothing helps. Not even the codiens i have pescribed for another issue.

On a scale of pain, when its bad, i cant think of anything else. It will bring me to tears.

In 2 months i am meant to confidently evict a small person from my body when my muscles in my stomach hurt so much i can hardly have a safe cough or poo 😭

I keep being assured these feelings are braxton hicks, but in 5 pregnancies i have NEVER felt these pains. Ive read about them and asked other what theirs felt like and it doesn't compare.

What is my body doing?! I feel neurotic 😭 this is the same hardcore, hippy mum who has home birthed kids unassisted. I have my ribs tattoo'd for fun! My pain tolerance is usually sky high. I just feel like i have been hit by a bus, every minuite of every day.

Tell me im not insane :( i swear my midwives think i am. The GP isnt much more sympathetic :( if these are braxton hicks i am dreading the real thing 😭

I had braxton hicks and it just felt like period pain. I didn’t think anything of it, but I was at hospital for an ultrasound and they linked me up to a monitor for hours. Didn’t tell me why, I just thought it was a random test....
Haven’t they monitored you? so you know for sure and at least don’t have the worry. Very sorry you are in so much pain though.

Could it be internal? Like gallbladder pain? Have you had any investigations?

No investigations.
Noone even seems to take my concerns seriously.
I have spoken to my community midwives, the maternity day unit, the maternity triage ward, GP; all of which (over the phone, bar comm midwives and GP visits) tell me its braxton hicks and to take some paracetamol (when i take codiens for another problem and they dont touch the pain).

Its been a really strange pregnancy. Its never felt 'right', but the unlistened too, unsupportedness of the the whole thing is so lonely :(

Its awful to say, but if i was offered the option of having this baby today i would take it. I cant wait to not be pregnant again. I know every pregnant woman gets to this point but between the morning sickness that never went away (and the fact you have to be able to NOT vommit the antisickness meds in order for them to work), the fact that that triggers a god almighty, awful, gag reflex in me 24/7, which effects my ability to keep pain meds in me, added to the fact my core stomach muscles feel like the day after leg day 90% of the time, ive got a pulled muscle in my lower stomach, i cant eat, sleep, cough, sneeze, vomit or even drink without considering it, and even then i will cry/wee myself/vomit violently/at the same time. Its bloody traumatic. Imagine that happening to you out the blue in wilkos!

Its awful. For the first time in my life i feel like i can relate to people with chronic pain. And its so difficult because so many people palm it off as just pregnancy feelings and theyre not. Id deliver this baby myself with a tin opener if it was a choice :(

Im just tired. Of the constant pain. I feel like a zombie. Ive hit the point where i dont know who else to talk too because i feel neurotic, sleep deprived and so unwell most of the time.

This turned into an awful rant. Im sorry.

I'm sorry for how you are feeling OP. I can't help too much on what Braxton Hicks sound like as (and not stealth boast) I'm 33 weeks but not sure I have had any yet as no pains.

Braxton Hicks do apparently start at the top of the bump, but given you have had children before and would have been through it before, you would know what they usually feel like and know this is odd.

I think you need to speak to your GP if midwife is not helping. It could just be painful Braxton Hicks or baby in a really awkward place digging in, but if it is central at the top if can be gallbladder pain, pancreatitis, stomach issues but also pain there can be a sign a pre-eclampsia so you need to be seen by someone who will take your concerns seriously.

Nobody can diagnose you or offer you solid medical advice on MN, OP. If you're really concerned make an appointment with your community midwife or go to the assessment unit.

Not asking for a diagnosys. More, if anyone else has had braxton hicks like these.

@hanadavis90 you should not feel like that. I would insist on a scan/monitoring. Speak to your G.P. You should not feel like that constantly surely. You must be completely exhausted.