Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Pregnancy

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

Frequent and regular braxton hicks

5 replies

KimmyLB · 16/09/2020 13:27

HI

I wonder if anyone else has had this experience and if its 'normal' or common, as it doesn't fit with the textbook descriptions of braxton hicks online.

On Saturday, when i was 34+6, i started to get quite strong BHs. They werent painful, but enough to make me stop and catch my breath. They came every 10 minutes, like clockwork, then they got closer together, about 3 minutes. Online it says to drink water, change position, go for a walk, have a hot bath. I tried all of these things and they all made the contractions stronger and more regular. It got to the point where my uterus seemed constantly hard although i think they were just long contractions happening close together. This continued all evening and night! Meanwhile I had shooting pains low in the abdomen under my bump. I started to wonder if i might be heading for a preterm labour but i called triage and they seemed pretty unconcerned and just said to call back later of i was still concerned.

Next day, i couldnt feel baby moving much, perhaps because i was trying to feel her through a hard uterus and an anterior placenta, as i was still getting the regular BHs. I started worrying about not feeling her. Again called triage and they were unconcerned and said call back if the contractions get painful, or my waters break or lose mucus plug.

Now its Wednesday and regular BHs still happening, also had period pains and back ache. Im 35+4. Although i do get periods where they happen less frequently.

I guess I'm just wondering whether this should be checked out. Triage dont seem to care unless i am going into labour right now, but if there are signs i might be heading for a premature birth shouldnt they be doing something to monitor and manage this? Or is this really all just normal?

OP posts:
lockdownpregnancy · 16/09/2020 16:59

BH come in all shapes and sizes (so to speak) I had mine coming every 4 minutes just after 36 weeks and they had me in to check I wasn't in labour as they were brutal and each one stopped me in my tracks. I wasn't in labour thankfully.
I've been going through this ever since. Not every day but it's becoming more frequent. I've seen my MW since and she said that baby and my body are getting ready for labour.
I'm 38+3 now and still no sign of baby but I don't think I'll be waiting much longer.
You sound in a very familiar position to me but I'm shocked your MAU have just brushed you off.
If you are concerned and you want to put your mind at rest I'd just keep calling until they see you. Better yet, just turn up! They can't turn you away then.
You need to find out what's happening even if it's to put your mind at rest that what you are experiencing is 'normal'
💐

KimmyLB · 16/09/2020 21:49

Thank you @lockdownpregnancy, its good to know I'm not the only one! And if it's been over 2 weeks and you still haven't given birth, then that means I'm not necessarily about to go into preterm labour! The little lady only needs to hang in there 11 more days and then I'm at term!

I was surprised by the MAU brushing me off too. In my first pregnancy 3 years ago the attitude was much more 'come straight in if youre at all concerned'. Maybe theyre trying to avoid unnecessary visitors because of the pandemic. I'm seeing my midwife Friday morning so can talk it through with her. I should probably get the birth bag packed too...

OP posts:
lockdownpregnancy · 17/09/2020 08:54

Tbf @KimmyLB they should of had you in! My hospital have had me in immediately every time I've been, not just the other week. Very bad of them for brushing you off.
How are you feeling today?
I've woke up with some wicked period pains but baby is having a shuffle like he does every morning so the further into my pelvis he is the more painful they are!
Nearly there! Eeeekkk!!! 🥰🥰🥰

KimmyLB · 17/09/2020 19:27

Oooh sounds like you're close! Is it your first?

I've still got the regular Braxton hicks, my pelvis feels full of baby and ive been unspeakably exhausted all day and also quite nauseous.

This pregnancy thing is great fun isn't it 😜

OP posts:
lockdownpregnancy · 17/09/2020 20:15

I'm hoping it's not much longer and yes it's my first 😁
Still getting pains but nothing to write home about.
I think because I got myself all prepared when I had false labour the other week, I'm ready now and just want it to be over!
I've had a really good pregnancy for the most part so I'm hoping my labour will be uncomplicated as well! Fingers crossed! 🤞

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread