Intense Braxton Hicks at 21 weeks?

[CoalCraft]

Hi all,

21+0 today. For the past few weeks I've been been getting what I think are Braxton Hicks contractions now and then. Essentially my uterus goes rock hard and, if I'm lying down, visibly stands up from my belly, and while it doesn't hurt exactly there is an uncomfortable tight feeling. I was getting maybe 6 a day.

I rang my midwife about them last week and she said it was a bit concerning as you aren't supposed to get them till about 30 weeks, and to keep an eye on them and ring triage if they get worse. Well last night I had one really intense one (actually did hurt a bit but mostly just the tight feeling) that woke me up, then at least two more weaker ones, so I did ring triage. Lady said to see how they go and ring back if they hadn't settled in an hour.

Well they did settle, but I'm still feeling a bit worried after what my midwife said. Has anyone else had similar at such an early stage of pregnancy? When would you consider it worth ringing triage again?

I’m 25 weeks and I’ve started to get them over the past week or so! It’s my second baby and I’ve heard it happens earlier on your second so I wasn’t too worried about it

It could be irritable uterus syndrome. I had it with my third and first pregnancies. You need to see if anything is triggering it. It caused no issues for me in the long run.

Thanks both

@Toontown if it's not too personal a question, could I ask what your triggers were? Wracking my brain trying to think on mine.

I had braxton hicks when I went for my 20 week scan. I couldn't really feel them the but the sonographer told me my uterus was contracting. Its my second baby tho so I dont know if that makes a difference

Hi, I have had BH on and off since about 18 weeks , it’s my first pregnancy. I asked midwife about it and she said it was perfectly normal for some people to get some throughout the second trimester and not to worry. She said to ring at any time if they became very frequent or intense. Being dehydrated can definitely bring them on/make them worse, as can a full bladder. I am now 28 weeks and usually get a few a day and my midwife is still happy enough about it.

Thanks everyone, I think I was just a bit frightened when my midwife said you shouldn't feel them until 30 weeks!

I have a feeling that I'm only really aware of them when I'm lying down as sometimes I get a vague tight feeling during the day but can't have a feel around by hand to see if my uterus is getting hard.