Braxton Hicks - advice please!

[Dophus]

I have been getting powerful Braxton Hicks contractions for about 2 weeks. They occcur frequently (20 to 30 a day at least).

I feel them coming on with a tightening all the way up my chest and into my throat. They literally take my breath away. Although they are not painful they definitely make me stop what I am doing.

None of my friends had them and so panic me a little by worrying for me.

A few questions:

• is it normal for them to be this powerful this early on?
• is it normal to feel them all the way to my throat?
• are they going to get any stronger?
• is this predictive at all of a late or early delivery!?

How many weeks are you, Dophus? And how many pregnancies have you had? I found they got stronger each pregnancy. Also found that I would have a lot more if I was rushing around and/or was stressed - my last week at work was a right BH fest!

I had stronger BH form about week 37 that stopped me in my tracks
points 1 and 2 don't know
how far gone are you
have't a clue
have you metioned this to your gp or midwife

Oops - forgot that!!!

28 weeks

I get strong BHs and they make my chest and shoulders uncomfortable too. At one stage I was convinced I had angina but after talking it through with dh I decided that I just had strong BHs. I have had them from 20 wks, I dont think it indicates an early delivery.

Just take it easy and look after your self!

Douphus, I'm getting exactly the same as you. I am nearly 30weeks and my braxton hicks have been getting pretty bad for a few weeks now. And like you i feel tightening all the way up to my throat and feel breathless. it's almost like it's throbbing in my throat. I can understand why you thought you had angina. This is my second pregnancy and it is definatly worse this time compared to last. I was a bit worried at first but it does stand to reason with most pregnancy things that earlier/stronger/more often is the general rule. After all your body has a better idea of what it's doing this time. I'm getting them all the time aswell, disheartening to get them this bad this early. oh well! Just another pregnancy thing to grin and bear i guess !

Just a personal theory. I only got obvious BH in third preg. They took my breath away and I always had to stand still whilst they passed. Used to made DH yell at me - "JUST TELL ME IT'S NOT THE REAL THING SO I DON'T HAVE TO PANIC YET!"

I concluded as long as they were not painful (IYSWIM) I never worried.

I remember hearing that pain was essential in childbirth for the right hormones to be released in order for the cervix to dilate. The head knocking on the closed cervix would help begin the procedure. So perhaps BH were minor contractions designed to help the your babys head squeeze down into the right position.

Last baby came quick and VERY efficiently. Not pleasant but over and done with VERY quickly.

Hopefully, this will all be positive stuff in the long run.