Braxton Hicks - How many a day/How strong is normal?

[ConnorTraceptive]

I'm 34 weeks and have been having braxton hicks for ages now but they have definately become more frequent and stronger over the last few days particularly when I'm walking about.

They don't hurt but are very strong. I didn't have them at all with DS so have no idea if this is normal?????

Hello

I had millions with ds2 (not with first, but you dont tend to) from very early on. They got very strong as the pregnancy progressed. I had them all the time. Not painful really though. I was convinced at the end of my pregnancy that they must have been doing something(ie cervix dilating) so was disappointed when i was given a sweep that nothing was hapening!

They do tend to be more noticable when you are walking/doing more so stop if you can and rest and im sure they will ease off. MIne got worse when busy at work(which was all the time!) If they start to be very uncomfy tho phone the hospital.

I didn't notice that I had them with ds1, although in retrospect after labour I realised I had been having them for 10 days.
With ds2 I they started at 20 weeks, and got stronger and more frequent, by 25 weeks they were about every 10 minutes and stayed that way for the rest of my pg.
It obviously wasn't normal, I was tested for UTI, came out positive and had anti-b's, but even though they cleared up the UTI the BH's didn't stop.
At 31 wks I went to the maternity unit to be monitored (MW didn't know why I was having them and wanted to try and find out) and they put me on a monitor for an hour or so and then freaked out abit at the number and strength (and tbh that had been relatively mild as I was just sitting there with my feet up). They admited me and I had the steriod injections for the baby's lungs in case it came early.
As this point they were still every 10 mins, or less, and were getting to the point that I had to stop when I had one.
I was sent home then next day and the BH's continued at the same level for the rest of the pg.
It did make pg very very tiring.
DS2 was born at 37 weeks (not sure if the BH's were contributory to the shorter term, ds1 had also been 37 wks).
I DID have a very short labour (although had also had a short labour with ds1), no idea if this was connected (ie cervix had been getting ready for 17 weeks!).

I was monitored quite a bit towards end of my preg(for something unrelated) and the CTG monitor would pick up the BH like contractions, they were that frequent.

You can sometimes have what is called an irritable uterus whereby you experience a lot of contraction type pains. At 34 wks though i would say this is quite normal with your second baby.

Thanks for the replies, I normally see my midwife every two weeks but because I'm seeing the consultant at the end of Jan I'm not seeing her again until I'm 37/38 weeks.

Think I'm just getting a bit nervous!!!

Like i said yesterday, if the BH get very uncomfortable or seem to be coming in a regular pattern then get yourself checked out. Sometimes they can be the real thing! i suspect though its just normal BH. I couldnt believe how strong mine were and i work in maternity so i should have been prepared!

I'm 26 weeks with my 1st and have been noticing what I think are BH for a while now. Bump goes rock solid for a few seconds then relaxes, often followed by baby wriggling. I get them mostly in the evenings or if I've walked quite a lot. They don't hurt. How many is normal in 2nd trimester of a first pregnancy. What does an irritable uterus mean...is it a bad thing to have?

doctors say someones uterus is irritable if they keep getting contraction type pain but when they are examined there are no changes to cervix(not dilating). Happens a lot.Thet will be picked up when a woman is monitored.

iHAD loads of BH, dont be worried!

i had none with dd1 but with dd2 and this pregnancy have a lot. seem to have more and stronger ones on a night

I'm 33 weeks with my first child and I've noticed these for a couple of weeks now - just didn't notice them before, although I know I must have been having them. They don't always seem strong, but I have them every day and sometimes, several times an hour, although not every 10 mins! They don't hurt unless the baby is trying to kick at the same time, and they don't usually make me stop, but they are often uncomfortable. And I get a funny feeling in my chest - sort of as if my heart's racing, but I feel my pulse and can tell it's not. Does anyone else get that?

I am 31 weeks and I think I have just started getting BH. My DH noticed and told me (he has been through this b4 but I haven't) and I have noticed they coincide with racing pulse like you EllieKat, feeling weak and dizzy and extremely nauseous. Anyone else get this?
Don't know if that's normal or if I'm a bit run down at the moment.

Hello! So great to see this thread as Id love some advice from people who have experienced this. I am 34 weeks pregnant with my third baby and have been having BH from 12 weeks. They are getting more an more frequent and last night before bed I had 12 in an hour!! Every 8 minutes then every 3 minutes. they were fairly strong and a little 'niggly' but not really painful. A few of the stronger ones felt abit like period pains but nothing major. I then went to bed and slept. This morning they are about every 10 minutes which is pretty normal for me.

I just wonder, how many is too many?! I know its not labour but surely its not 'normal'!!??

Thanks in advance!! xxxx

To Elliecat and Paranoid, I am 32 weeks pregnant and I get BH contractions alot. Its my first baby, and I do get dizzy, nauseous with a racing pulse feeling with them sometimes too. My baby bump kicks just after or during them which makes them feel even weirder. I get them more and more often and I think I'll mention this to the Midwife next visit as I can get 6-10 an hour sometimes. Hope you feel a little less alone. Good luck with your babies everyone. xxx

Make sure you are drinking enough too, as dehydration can increase number of BH contractions.

I had irritable uterus with my first pregnancy, and by 33 weeks could not walk more than 50 metres before the contractions would start, and they were painful enough to take my breath away. Landed in hospital as they thought it was prem labour twice, contractions only 4 or 5 mins apart and fairly regular. Got used to them and did not give birth til just before due date!

second pregnancy just got some BHxs but not many and it just felt like the whole of my tummy was tightening, uncomfortable but not painful.

This pregnancy, I am now 30 weeks and getting many frequent braxton hick's contractions, but have been told it could be more to do with dehydration, than anything else, which would also explain some of you feeling dizzy and nausious with it. But also to watch out that there is not some UTI or other infection lingering around.

I think if they are painful and getting closer together it is always wirth getting it checked out by midwife or hospital.