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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Braxton Hicks (????) are these what I'm feeling?

11 replies

Mahoosivemamma · 31/10/2004 14:40

Hi, I'm fairly new to the site and would really appreciate it if anyone out there can answer my question. I've been having these twinges in my belly and groin for some weeks now (am nearly 29 weeks pg) and whilst I thought it was the baby kicking I'm now wondering if they are actually these braxton hicks (no idea if that is how you spell it - sorry!!!) contractions. I tend to get a lot together but have no idea how these would feel compared to baby moving - can you tell this is my first pregnancy?!! Is there any way to tell the difference? How can I monitor baby's movements if I don't know if it's baby moving?! They tend to occur when I'm resting, feet up etc. Help!!!!

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DelGirl · 31/10/2004 14:44

i'm only 15 weeks myself with my 1st but could they be the baby hiccuping do you think or are they painful?

katzguk · 31/10/2004 14:46

my braxton hicks felt like my whole tummy had gone ridgid and tight and hard to the touch then it all softens again

Original poster

Mahoosivemamma · 31/10/2004 14:51

delgirl, they're not at all painful, no, can sometimes be uncomfortable though.
Katzguk, they are very localised, tummy has never felt like that. maybe they are just baby moving about?!

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jampot · 31/10/2004 15:55

mine braxton hicks were just as katzguk described too - usually occurring after getting up from sitting down and going to the loo (!) but plenty of times in between also walking a lot seemed to bring them on. I had them with ds from about 20 weeks. I distinctly remember walking round a park with my friend and our other children and having to stop as it felt my breath had been taken away. You suddenly feel about 4 stone heavier!! Ooh what memories

highlander · 31/10/2004 17:46

my BHs felt exactly like katzguk - whole bump went rigid, usually after straining or when walking.

Actually, at about 24 weeks they did feel localised to the lower part of my bump. Never painful.

Tipex · 31/10/2004 17:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Mahoosivemamma · 31/10/2004 19:51

Hi Tipex, the more I hear people describe them the more I'm beginning to think it is the baby rolling around in there. I'm in huge trouble if more than 4 an hour need to be reported and they are BH because I'm talking more like 4 a minute!!! Difficult to tell if my bump goes rigid as it feels rock hard all the time! Hope you get your question answered, wonder if these littlies will ever understand exactly how many sleepless nights they gave us, even before they were born??!!

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AussieSim · 31/10/2004 23:19

You can take magnesium to help with the BH's, however you should monitor them to ensure that they are not at regular intervals, like your bump getting hard every 5minutes. I had these kinds of problems at about 25 weeks in my first pregnancy and ended up in hospital for 3 weeks on a drip to stop what was essestially early contractions, which might have resulted in DS coming early. If you are worried about them you should go and get monitored, but you should at least definitely rest when they come on and try to avoid exerting yourself too much and talk about it with you ob/gyn at your next appointment.

MrsEvs · 01/11/2004 06:02

What you describe sound more like the baby moving around. My DD didn't kick all that much but wriggled and moved around laods. It was always when I sat down to rest or when I went to bed - apparently your movements lull the baby to sleep/rest a lot of the time, so when you stop moving they come to life.

I had lots of Braxton Hicks from fairly early on, but with those there was a definite tightening sensation around my bump lasting 30 seconds or so and then it passed. Doesn't really sound like what you are describing.

If you are really worried though it is always better to be safe than sorry and ask a health professional.

fufmum · 01/11/2004 11:49

MM i think i know exactly what you are talking about as i have been feeling the same. It's like a tugging sensation and tiny hiccups all in one but they last for much longer than hiccups. I feel it low down in my bump and it makes me wanna go to the toilet too if my bladder is more than half full.
I was getting a little worried about it as i am 29 weeks and i thought the baby couldn't roll around anymore due to the size but i guess i was wrong. My DS is haing a whale of a time in there and yes it seems to be whenever i try getting comfy in bed, i don't mind, as long as he's having fun

Original poster

Mahoosivemamma · 01/11/2004 13:19

It's nice to know I'm not alone fufmum! I too was convinced they should be too large to move so freely now, always proving me wrong this child!! Today my bump seems like rock and again started to panic that it could be BH, but then I would have been having a contraction that's lasted over six hours!!!I'm hoping this is extremely unlikely!!!

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