Braxton hicks | Mumsnet

Miepp · 2025-12-19T19:56:05+00:00

Anyone else get them nearly every time you do anything physical and still frequently when you’re just sat around? I’m 32 weeks tomorrow and I’ve been having them loads since 20+ weeks. Don’t feel like I got them this much with my first child. I even get them in the middle of the night & they wake me up !! Walking my dog just feels like a constant Braxton Hick and they make me feel like I need to wee so much. Awful! Any tips on how to reduce them ? I have a toddler so sitting down more isn’t always an option 🥲

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Justlostmybagel · 20/12/2025 05:25

I used to get them a lot when exercising. Apparently, keeping well hydrated is supposed to help, but that probably won't help with feeling like you need to pee 😬

Superscientist · 20/12/2025 09:27

I had an irritable uterus with my second which caused me to have contractions. Similar to Braxton hicks they aren't real labour contractions but unlike braxton hicks they can be regular and don't go away when resting. They started occasionally when walking briskly or being on my feet for a prolonged time at about 20 weeks but from 32 ish weeks they were more regular.

I was diagnosed after attending triage at 34 weeks in query preterm labour. I had been having them every 10 minutes all afternoon and they didn't go with rest, weeing etc. They could observe them on the monitor, they did an exam which showed that my cervix was closed and they did a swab that showed I wasn't at risk of imminent labour. I was given parameters for when to come back in.

I was in triage the following week form something else and they did another swab and exam as I was still getting them same result no sign of labour. I needed a sweep at 36+6 before being induced the next day and that made them regular and more intense. The sweep was nearly enough to start my labour so my body was clearly quite ready for labour.

Original poster

Miepp · 20/12/2025 15:47

Justlostmybagel · 20/12/2025 05:25

I used to get them a lot when exercising. Apparently, keeping well hydrated is supposed to help, but that probably won't help with feeling like you need to pee 😬

Haha probs not but will try it!! Thanks for the tip

OP posts:

Original poster

Miepp · 20/12/2025 15:49

Superscientist · 20/12/2025 09:27

I had an irritable uterus with my second which caused me to have contractions. Similar to Braxton hicks they aren't real labour contractions but unlike braxton hicks they can be regular and don't go away when resting. They started occasionally when walking briskly or being on my feet for a prolonged time at about 20 weeks but from 32 ish weeks they were more regular.

I was diagnosed after attending triage at 34 weeks in query preterm labour. I had been having them every 10 minutes all afternoon and they didn't go with rest, weeing etc. They could observe them on the monitor, they did an exam which showed that my cervix was closed and they did a swab that showed I wasn't at risk of imminent labour. I was given parameters for when to come back in.

I was in triage the following week form something else and they did another swab and exam as I was still getting them same result no sign of labour. I needed a sweep at 36+6 before being induced the next day and that made them regular and more intense. The sweep was nearly enough to start my labour so my body was clearly quite ready for labour.

Oh goodness I wonder what caused you to have irritable uterus. I hope that’s not what I have, I don’t need practice contractions as I’m having to have a planned section with this one at 38 weeks for medical reasons 😬 was your baby okay at 36 weeks?

OP posts:

Superscientist · 20/12/2025 16:28

There was a delay so it was late on 37+0 that I was induced and he arrived lunch time the next day so he ended up "early term" rather than late preterm
We had issues feeding for the first day or two as he wasn't waking up and he couldn't maintain his blood sugars. He needed formula top ups and colostrum by syringe. He continued to sleep pretty much 23h a day until his due date. He only lost 6% though by day 6 even though he had a 100% tongue tie which was cut on day 8.

He was a good weight (6lb12) but very scrawny and not a lot of fat on him. We had to drop to size 0 nappies. He was only 1 oz less than my daughter born at 38+6 but was about 4 weeks before he fitted in the clothes she wore from birth. He is 13 weeks now and I've only just put away his "up to 1m" clothes

I was induced due to my health, I had Obstetric Cholestasis, low platelets, deranged liver function and extreme fatigue. They had been hoping to get me to 38 weeks but my liver was getting and I had been hospitalised twice for the fatigue. I had a call at 36+6 asking how soon I could get to the hospital to be induced!