How early can braxton hicks start?

[fulltimeworry]

Since waking up this morning I have been in so much discomfort, I can barely move without being in pain in my lower stomach, lifting my legs up is impossible!

I also keep getting cramps where my stomach tightens and I feel it all around the bottom of my back, just like period pains. They last about a minute or so then go off.

I'm only 24 weeks today I'm not sure if this is just normal or if I should contact someone? Is it too early for braxton hicks?

Iv had to call in sick to work because I just can't move, even changing positions when sat down is painful.

Can anyone give me any advice please? Paracetamol hasn't made any difference.

With my 4th and 5th around 20wks. Saying that if you're having them all day I would call to be on the safe side.

@BurningBenches would I phone the hospital pregnancy unit? I feel like I'm being dramatic by ringing as not sure what they can possibly say but iv been in pain since 7 o'clock this morning and not sure if it's something or nothing.

@fulltimeworry if you are in so much pain that you've had to take time off work then it is worth calling the hospital to get checked out. I did have Braxton Hicks from quite an early stage in my second pregnancy but they were never as painful as what you are describing- sore enough to take my breath away a bit when they peaked but otherwise fine to continue with my day.

That or your MW @fulltimeworry.

So I get BH and they are sometimes painful esp over night but they're irregular and also don't last all day. So whilst BH can absolutely start early, it might be something else, UTI, Muscular, constipation. But it's best to be checked out

On my way to get checked thank you

Good. Let us know how you get on. Good luck x

I’ve been getting them since about 22 weeks with my now second! I didn’t really get them in my first pregnancy.

Good luck OP

Good luck OP!

Mine started around 18 weeks. My mum said hers did too.

Glad you went to get checked OP, worth it for peace of mind. Hoping it is nothing and you'll be back home soon

I'm 27 weeks, been having them badly for three weeks, I get super uncomfy and often end up being sick. My bump just gets really tight.

Thanks everyone!

I'm back home now, had me in for a good few hours checking everything. Had my cervix checked to make sure it wasn't contracting which it wasn't, she took some swabs whist doing this as thinks I may have some sort of infection. Baby's heart rate was fine and all my other obs so hopefully get my results back in a couple of days and it's either nothing or something antibiotics can sort!

Tightenings haven't gone away but I was given some codeine for the pain which has helped very slightly.

The midwife assessing me said it's not braxton hicks as thats not a thing this early on which is confusing if others are saying they started getting them this early!

"The midwife assessing me said it's not braxton hicks as thats not a thing this early on which is confusing if others are saying they started getting them this early!"

My midwife thinks this. I got them from 5 weeks both pregnancies.

Apparently you get them all the way through, you're just not supposed to notice them early. Whether they are Braxton Hicks or something else, they are contractions and not ones leading to early labour (generally how Braxton Hicks are defined, but sometimes they're defined by being near the end of pregnancy, in which case by definition it can't be them, even if identical).

Check what you've eaten. I had over a week of super strong contractions, including 3 days of nonstop exhausting ones. Turned out I have developed a pregnancy intolerance for coffee, it's irritating my stomach and making me cramp. No more coffee (even decaff), no more intense contractions.

Had the exact same pains again today, so uncomfortable to do anything!

My bump has completely changed shape and has got so high, everyone I spoke to today noticed how high it is so I wonder if he's just moving around a lot and hopefully when he settles down my pain will settle too!

Can anyone please suggest what to do now?

2 days later I am still in so much discomfort with my stomach and back constantly cramping as if someone is squeezing my insides so tight, the pain in my back is now making me feel sick.

They done al tests at the hospital on Thursday and said all looked ok, just waiting for results from my swabs and was told to rest and take painkillers. But I'm taking paracetamol which isn't helping in the slightest and codeine really affects me so I don't really want to take that when alone looking after my toddler!

Sorry to hear you are so uncomfortable. I went in for pains a couple of weeks ago and they think it might of been the baby moving which caused the pain, she likes to climb my womb like a climbing wall. Could that be it? The monitoring did pick up some 'irratations' as they called it but it wasnt labour contractions.