Braxton Hicks Contractions or Preterm Labor?

Call your doctor - they'll have someone on call. Or go to Labor and Delivery just to be checked out. Better to be safe.

Hi H.,
I think you should still see your doctor but I had BH all through my second pregnancy. I could have had them the first time but didn't know what contractions were. I don't remember how many a day I had but they were frequent. I hope all goes well.
Chris

I hope that you got ahold of your doctor. If the contractions continue when you are at rest for awhile, they should not be ignored. Usually, not always but usually, braxton hicks will go away with rest and come back while walking of exercising. I Pray all goes well, God Bless.

I would call your doctor sooner than later. You just never know. If this is your second pregnancy are they painful like real contractions or pretty mild? It is true however that the more pregnancys that you have you can feel things like BH a lot sooner than with your first. I would call your doctor its always good to let them know if you think something might not be right. It's mom's intuition.

Hi H..

I don't know if you have already gone to the Dr, but if you haven't I would go soon. I went into pre-term labor at 22 weeks at my sister's wedding and for the first couple days thought I was having BH. When I called my OB and went in they said I had uterine irrability pre-term labor and I had to be on bedrest for 6 weeks, then went into OB Special Care for a week to stop labor, then back to bedrest with Procardia and Terbutaline for three weeks, then back to OB Special Care for a week and then two more weeks of bedrest. I had her at 35 weeks. I would have had her much sooner, but had gone into the Dr. I was dialated only 1 cm, but 90% efaced and she had dropped already at 22 weeks. But, part of my situation was that I have kidney disease and had to have two surgeries while in OBSC to remove stones and decrease hydronephrosis. Happy to say Camryn and I are doing well. Drink plenty of fluids, rest (on your left side) and take care. Good luck to you. A.

Dear H.,

Hopefully rest will relieve the contractions, but you need to call your dr and let him know. I've had lots and lots of braxton hicks contractions and rest will usually relieve them, but if you're having them that frequently then it could trigger you into real labor and you don't want that. My advice - put your feet up and call your dr now!

I'm a registered nurse and a mother of 4 children.

Good luck!

Call and/or just go in to be checked out for sure. I went in 3 times with my first and once with my second and they agreed, I was having contractions early, they just weren't doing anything. There is nothing like putting your own mind at ease and they can certainly do that.

After having 2 preemie babies, I would definitely go in to see your doctor. With my first I was having contractions (thought they were Braxton Hicks) for about an hour while I was at work, they stopped and then started again that morning. By the time I went to the doctor, I was already to 8cm. With my 2nd, I had went in to the hospital and they said I wasn't having any actual contractions and sent me home. We were in there a few hours later and I was complete and wanting to push! When you go, please, please, please have them check you to make sure you haven't dialated any!

H. I had BH contractions a lot towards the end of my pregnancy. At about 38 weeks I was feeling them closer and closer. I went into the hospital and was 2 centimeters dialated and 70% effaced. Call your doctor. I never hesitated to page mine if I was really worried. Hope everything is ok.

I had them around 25 weeks. The dr told me as long as I could talk adn if I walked and they didn't get worse, they weren't really contractions. But- I want to let you know your NEED to listen to your body. I had contractions at 35w6d and went to the hosp. They sent me home after giving me stuff to stop them. I went in later that night- same thing. Well, I gave birth about 24 hours later- in the elevator! I was lucky we got there in time at all.

better safe than sorry get to the doc.

They most likely will tell you to time them and if they are not four to five minutes apart then you are fine. Relax and know that the baby will be here soon.

You should definitely call your doctor. If you have begun to dilate, then you are experiencing pre-term labor. Also, with a three year old and 2 jobs from home, you need to start taking it easy! :o) Try to sit down and put your feet up at regular intervals during the day.

I would call your Docotr now and get in to make sure all is well. With being as busy as you are you may have to slow down a bit. I am 28 weeks and have noticed that the days that i am really busy i get more contractions then days I can slow down a bit. I know it is impossible to slow down- I too have a 5 years old and work full time, let alone the rest of life, but ................................

Also try drinking some Propell it adds back some of the electrolytes and nutrients you need- I have noticed it helps slow the contractions as well.

S.

They are most likely Braxton Hicks, but it's always good to talk with your doctor. I started Braxton Hicks at about 22 or 23 weeks with my second child as well. My doctor told me that with your second child they happen earlier. I didn't have them with my first child until I was 8 months or so. Mine would get very close together and get fairly intense. Make sure you lay down on your left side for a while when you are having them. Drinking plenty of water is good, too. You'll probably have them for the remainder of the pregnancy, so just make sure you monitor them and when you are having them try to relax until they go away. It's good that you aren't having any other signs of preterm labor. Good luck with your pregnacy!

Please dont take medical advice from here...go to your doc.

i had the same thing with my first pregnancy. i was also scared, so i went to the er. they hooked me up and monitored the baby for about 2 hours, but since they were so far apart, they just sent me home. if you're that worried about, it's always best to get a second opinion from a doctor.

I'm 25 weeks and have the same issue. I just went to the doctor yesterday and he said it is normal as long as they go away with rest or change of activity. I find I get them when I do too much around the house. If I lay down for awhile, they go away. Keep hydrated!

I had braxton Hicks with my 3rd child. I drank a couple of glasses of water and then laid on my left side for a half hour. They seemed to go away until i was 17 days away from my due date. lol the little guy wanted to come early. So u never know until u get checked or talk to ur doctor. They also say its a way that ur body is getting ready for the labor. Best thing is talk to ur doctor. Good Luck

I would definitely call your doctor. I started have Braxton Hick at 6 weeks that were so severe I had to pull over while driving. My doctor said that they don't call them Braxton Hicks until you're about 5 months pregnant, but they sure felt like them to me! I would have them throughout my pregnancy with my son about every 5-15 minutes during certain times of the day...and they were STRONG!

If you are feeling a backache or cramping, call your doctor or go to urgent care immediately. Other than that, if they're just tightening (that you feel all the way down your legs and up your back into your neck and behind your ears) then they are just Braxton Hicks and your body is warming up for the wallop that labor will bring you. Hope this helps!

I had braxton hicks contractions throughout my last pregnancy. In the end, I almost didn't make it to the hospital to deliver my baby. A few more red lights and I would have delivered him in the van. Stay on top of your contractions and be sure to keep in contact with your doctor or go to the hospital if you're worried or concerned. It's best to be safe!