Can I just check whether this sounds like braxton hicks?

[artichokes]

I am only 18 weeks pregnant but this afternoon I keep getting tighenings over my bump. My whole bump goes hard and the pressure is quite uncomfortable. They happen every 10 mins or so and last a few minutes.

I never had anything quite like this in my first pregnancy until I was in labour. Therefore I am slightly concerned but hoping that it is just braxton hicks.

What do you think?

They sound like BH's to me hun.

BH's tend to be as you describe - uncomfortable as opposed to painful.

I find a nice bath or pottering about eases them

Have you been busy? I found that this would happen when I've been running around like a loon.

Put your feet up and see if they stop. They should.

I started getting them at 16 weeks and I phoned the hospital in a panic because I thought that it meant I would go into premature labour. The maternity unit reassured me that lots of women get them very early on in pregnancy.

artichoke i am getting the same thing. i'm 24 weeks and didn't get them with my first, although i'm starting to think i'm just a bit more sensitive to things with this one....

Thanks for your reassurance everybody. It has been quite a busy day and they came on while I was taking DD swimming. I am resting now but they are still happening.

I hope they won't carry on for the next 22 weeks - not only are they uncomfortable but I feel like I can't have dinner because my tummy keeps getting squeezed!

Hi,

Yep, sounds like them to me!

I'm 21 weeks and have had them a few times over the last week.........they're strange!

I wish labour was like them though, lol!