Many questions reguarding braxton hicks.
I am 18 weeks pregnant and think I have been having braxton hicks, about 4 in the last couple days. It feels like my uterus is flexing or tightening. It feels harder from the outside. It will relax after about a minute. It doesn't really hurt, it is a bit weird or uncomfortable but I would not say painful. With my first daughter I had a scheduled c-section and never had one braxton hicks or contraction so I am not sure if this is what they feel like? I am wondering also if this is normal to have them this early, if that is what it is. We have had some major stress added in the last week or 2 so could this cause it? My next Dr appointment is next monday so do you think it will be ok to wait till then to talk to him about it or should I worry more?
Thanks!
I wouldn't worry if the contractions aren't at all frequent or painful. I had BH contractions my entire first pregnancy - I'd say from about 8 weeks on. They really freaked me out at the beginning, but they were nothing. I even ended up having to be induced! Absolutely if they increase in frequency or intensity, call the doctor right away, but likely it's nothing.
I would call your doctor's office and talk to them.
I had Braxton Hicks contractions very early as well. I was due mid-November and remember having them as early as July. I never thought much of it because I didn't know they were contractions. My stomach would tighten and I jokingly said my baby was doing strength training exercises. I was quite active and jogged a lot up to the middle of my third month. I did notice that when my stress level was up, the number of my contractions shot through the roof--the longer I went without dealing with the stress, the more frequent the contractions. I didn't say anything to my doctor until I was in the office and was experiencing the contractions. She asked how often I was having them (so start keeping track). She hooked me up to a machine for some stress tests every week. She also checked to see if these "fake" contractions were making me progress in labor--they were by the end of September. She put me on bed rest at the beginning of October. I was put on bed rest, and my son was born only one week early. He is a strong, happy two-year-old with minor allergies, but otherwise very healthy.
The most important thing you can do is try to relax. Worrying will only cause you more stress and make you contract more. Try to put your feet up and lay "Lazy Boy" style for a while. If it makes you feel any better, the doctor told me that the stress releases cortizol and that helps develop baby's lungs. So at least his/her lungs are getting healthier with your stress.
Seriously, call your doctor, try to relax, record your contractions, and follow the instructions of your doctor.
God bless you and your baby.
Julia
I had practice contractions or BH with both pregnancies from 16 weeks on and carried my boys full term. Mine were just like yours, painless but a hardening of the uterus.
I did notice them more if I was dehydrated or tired.
I am sure it can wait til Monday. 1 every 10 minutes is one thing, 4 in a couple of days is nothing. I got them mostly in the evening for a few hours and then sporadically through the day until I was further along and then had a lot of them.
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These definately sound like braxton hicks. As long as you are not having more then four "contractions" in an hour your fine. I would definately talk to your dr. about it Monday but I would not rush to the ER. Drink lots of water, double what you drink now and try laying on your left side. I would also take a bath. Relax a bit.
Stress can do a number of things to your body, I'm sure braxton hicks is one of them. I'm glad your not in pain and hope the rest of your pregnancy is wonderful.
It's not too early for Braxton Hicks to start. Many women experience them earlier in pregnancy.
The things you should look for when monitoring contractions are, as already stated, more then 4 in an hour... or less then 10 minutes apart and developing a regular pattern. Any CHANGE in the type of contraction you are experiencing... such as stronger, strong low pressure, etc... that is certainly a sign that something else is going on. Talk to your doctor about what you are experiencing, but it really does sound like BH.
One thing to "test" ... drink 2-3 glasses of water and lie down on your side. If they subside, fairly quickly ...then it's not labor contractions. A warm bath also can relax the uterus during BH's. If it was true labor contractions... the bath, the water, etc... won't stop it.
As already mentioned... HYDRATE!!!!! Drink LOTS of water. Seriously... any amount of dehydration can trigger contractions. You need to stay hydrated. Stress can also trigger contractions... so take it easy. Try to relax, put your feet up, and rest.
Good luck!
Me and a friend both started having them at about 19-20 weeks (her first my second baby) I didn't have them with my oldest! I think 4 in a couple days is nothing to worry about till monday then bring it up! If they get worse call the doc. Lay on your left side and drink plenty of fluids, try a relaxing bath. I would wait unless it was real close... Hope this helped :) Congrates on the baby
That is definitely what they are and they are totally normal. You will notice them more now since this is your second child (and they will probably become more frequent as you go along). Stress can make you have contractions. I am having my third child and didn't notice them at all with my others, but I have been having real contractions since week 28 and I have had days where I stressed about it and they got worse. If they develop a pattern (one every 10 minutes), if you have more than 6 in an hour or if they get progressively painful, then you should call your doctor. My contractions can last for hours and come at about 6-8 in an hour, but they eventually go away.
