Braxtons?

[MummaT84]

Hey I’ve been getting tightenings for about 4 weeks now since week 24 of my pregnancy. I’m 28+5
This is baby number 3. I never experienced braxtons on my first two pregnancies. Paracetamol isn’t touching it, I can’t sleep or get comfortable
They tend to come every 3mins and last 40-60 seconds. Mainly at night but I also get them in the day where I have to stop what I’m doing and catch my breath
I rang maternity last night for advice and they said sounds like Braxtons.
It’s ruining my pregnancy and I’m finding myself in tears every night. Still so long to go yet and I can’t cope with it.
I’m trying regular baths and paracetamol every single day

My lower back hurts too and they are stronger and more regular than when they started 4 weeks ago.

Any advice from a very unhappy uncomfortable mum

They say that dehydration can make them worse so try drinking more water throughout the day and see if that helps. You're also meant to lean forwards into them so that they can aid your body in the way they're meant to, so perhaps if you do that they might pass quicker.

I had braxton hicks for the last 8w of my 2nd pregnancy...i was exhausted come the big day!

My midwife said to 'hydrate & relocate' keep up the fluids and move position to help ease the discomfort

@kensue19

They say that dehydration can make them worse so try drinking more water throughout the day and see if that helps. You're also meant to lean forwards into them so that they can aid your body in the way they're meant to, so perhaps if you do that they might pass quicker.

Thank you I've been drinking lots more over past day or so x

@motherofdinosau

I had braxton hicks for the last 8w of my 2nd pregnancy...i was exhausted come the big day!

My midwife said to 'hydrate & relocate' keep up the fluids and move position to help ease the discomfort

I've honestly had enough it's getting me down so much. Feel my body isn't coping well this time

I have this, although it doesn't sound as painful as you're describing - I've had them off and on since 17 weeks (ended up in A&E thinking was in premature labour!) but they are every day now. Changing position/hydration makes no difference. On the monitor the midwife was really surprised they were so regular (my trace looks exactly like someone who's in the first stage of labour) but didn't seem that worried as it's been going on for so long (I'm 33 weeks now and this has been daily for about 8 weeks).

Someone told me it could be an "irritable uterus" - I looked it up and it describes perfectly how I feel. Not that that helps - there's no advice on what to do about it but it helped me to know that there's a "diagnosis" and I'm not going crazy! It's definitely different to the Braxton hicks other people describe - not intermittent and won't go away!

I have found a lot of the early labour advice helpful - I spend a lot of time on a pregnancy ball and go for slow walks/do yoga. Also have to make sure I eat and drink - it's a muscle after all and needs fuel. They're definitely less comfortable if I'm hungry or dehydrated. None of this gets rid of it but it helps a bit, especially with the back pain, so I can sleep better.