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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

too many braxton hicks? how many is too many?

24 replies

pipinmybelly · 26/05/2010 18:28

hello!! im 31 weeks tomorrow and for the past few days I have had very frequent braxton hicks that are quite strong to the extent where just as one finishes another begins...i feel like i constantly have a rock hard bump and its quite uncomfortable esp as im a primary teacher so am squeezed on little chairs most of the day...

does anyone have any experience of this or have any advice.iv got MW friday so will mention to her but in the mean time would love to hear if this is normal or not xx

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Thediaryofanobody · 26/05/2010 18:29

I think I'd call you midwife and have a chat just to be on the safe side it sounds a little excessive for BH.

Original poster

pipinmybelly · 26/05/2010 18:38

i mean strong as in quite intense but totally painless...

OP posts:

Thediaryofanobody · 26/05/2010 19:12

If it's constant and been going on for a few days I would really get it checked out sooner rather than later.
Early contractions aren't always painful, plenty of people have been in labour and not realised only thinking it's back ache.

Original poster

pipinmybelly · 26/05/2010 19:36

omg!! ok il get it checked!! thank you!! xx

OP posts:

Thediaryofanobody · 26/05/2010 19:38

Don't panic it's possibly nothing but if it is your better being prepared. If you can't get hold of your local maternity unit call NHS Direct and they should be able to advise you better.

duejuly2010 · 26/05/2010 20:28

I second don't panic. I'm 31 weeks on Friday and last night I had BH almost continuously for over an hour. I'd had a pretty busy day. Phoned MW this morn and she said it was fine. I get them constantly if I walk as well

girlsyearapart · 26/05/2010 20:38

Have had similar- last wk at 29 wks had them all night and the next morning, was taken in and monitored and as they continued for rest of that day and were painful they gave me the steroid injections to develop baby's lungs if it decides to arrive early.

Was discharged after the steroids and about 3 days worth of contractions, told to rest, not walk too much and drink plenty of fluids.

All seems to be dying down now but best to get it checked.

EvieBear · 26/05/2010 21:46

I had this too, definitely go to hospital soon and get them to monitor the contractions. Not to panic you but when I did at 30 weeks, they told me I was in early labour!!! Managed to hold off until 37 weeks thank goodness.

Good luck.

Trafficcone · 26/05/2010 21:49

Sounds exactly like mine, but I'd think about what you do In a work day and try and make adjustments as BH do get worse the more you try and overdo it.

Funkycherry · 27/05/2010 04:13

I'm 32wks and mentioned a similar thing to MW on Tues. She brushed it off as BH even when I said my belly sometimes goes hard for a couple of hours.
Why do they do that? Don't they know how scary it is to have all these new feelings happening to your body???
Know none of this is of much help, but wanted you yo know you're not alone. I'll be watching this thread to hopefully pick up some advice myself!
Good luck Friday, let us know how you get on.x.

Monkeytoo · 27/05/2010 04:56

I had this all the way from about 20 weeks to eventually giving birth at 42 weeks (c-section after failed induction!). I worried so much about the contractions all the way through in case it was early labour and then when it came down to it I didn't go into labour at all! I agree with the others that it's worth getting checked out. For me they just checked that my cervix wasn't doing anything and then I just took it easy

sootysmummy · 27/05/2010 10:05

I had v strong BH like you all of the time with my dd2. The slightest thing would set them off, like a sneeze or a speed bump or getting up from the sofa. They would be v strong sometimes and I would think thats it but I did go full term. Its worth getting checked out for your own peace of mind though

Original poster

pipinmybelly · 27/05/2010 17:36

thanks everyone, seems to have calmed down a little bit today but il still mention to midwife tomorrow..it is scary, my body is out of control!! makes u think baby really could come at any time!! il keep u updated xx

OP posts:

Thediaryofanobody · 27/05/2010 18:25

Hi pip glad to gear things have slowed down, pregnancy is such a bizarre experience.
I used to freak out a little at the though there was actually a human being inside me. you'd have though I'd have realized by that point but actually experience your body being taken over is quite different from knowing.

YouMightKnowMe · 27/05/2010 18:29

More than 4 in an hour is time to call the midwife..

Funkycherry · 29/05/2010 12:41

Did the midwife have anything useful to say?

Alicetheinvisible · 29/05/2010 17:17

I had the same experience as Girlsyearapart (at the same time!) Was kept in hospital for 3 days and monitored a few times a day. Had steroids.

Have been at home a week and still get them when i do more than just potter about.

Original poster

pipinmybelly · 29/05/2010 17:23

hi guys, my midwife yeaterday was absolutely useless!! it wasnt my normal one as she was on sick and this one really didnt give a shit about what i was telling her. iv been put on iron tablets because iv got low blood count and low iron plus they found antibodies in my blood last time so hospital rung me to tell me to ask midwife to have my bloods repeated as they need to monitor me every 2 weeks now. she couldnt yake my blood apparently, so i have to go up hospital thurs instead. i mentioned braxton hicks and she didnt even acknowledge that id spoken!! i also mentioned that i felt awful, had upset tummy for a few days and really nauseous too...again no response. she took my blood pressure which is up and shoved me out the door while she answered her mobile!!

still feel awful, not sure whether i should mention it up hospital thurs or if im just being silly....

OP posts:

DinahRod · 29/05/2010 17:32

Think you've saw my normal mw! Fortunately this is my 3rd, if it was my first I'd be really upset to get her.

A couple of really petite friends have felt BH very intensely from about 25weeks on and have carried to term.

Am 32 wks and have had them on/off all day. Am also low on iron and have also a back ache. Have started to pack my hospital bag early just in case although my other two have been late, but advised when BH occur to go for a wee, up fluid intake and make dh cook which all seems to help

Alicetheinvisible · 29/05/2010 17:37

Have you got an assessment unit at your hospital? They are generally very good.

How about GP?

Failing that, phone your maternity hospital and ask for their advice.

It is likely not serious, but you need to know that for certain. Good luck

Original poster

pipinmybelly · 29/05/2010 17:48

dinah it is my first which is prob why im getting myself into a state!! im only glad she's not my usualy mw!! she was a totaly waste of space...and quite rude. i do feel like shit, i dont want to be a pain ringing or going to hospital coz there isnt really anything that wrong with me...hope im not gonna feel like this for the remaining 8 and a half weeks!!

alice iv got an antenatal ward in my hospital...may just see how i go til thurs and ask then...i feel like such a hypochondriac and a nuisance ringing sometimes, esp when that midwife made me feel like a comlete nuisance and i had a bloody appointment with her!!

OP posts:

Alicetheinvisible · 29/05/2010 17:58

I would give them a ring. They may ask you to go in for assessment or be happy with what you tell them over the phone. You have nothing to lose by phoning them

Funkycherry · 29/05/2010 23:46

pip - feel for you. Thats how every MW I have seen (I've had 3 different ones so far!) has made me feel. Its my first too, so not sure what's normal and what's not. Like you, I don't want to be a pain and 'bother' them either. I guess I'm worried that if I make too much of a fuss, they'll think I'm 'crying wolf' and won't be there if I really need them.
If you're going to the hospital anyway, you may as well mention the things that are worrying you. They can't make you feel any worse than you do now.
Hugs.x.

venetianred · 30/05/2010 06:53

Keep a record of the times of each of your Braxton Hicks etc for a few days and then yes, raise it on Thursday.

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