OT- Another pregnancy question...Braxton Hicks

[StepInTime]

First...to everyone that answered my c/s question, thanks for all the great replies! He turned so hopefully no c/s!

Now my new question... I'm now almost 33 wks & I've been having Braxton Hicks contractions for 3 days. My doc had me go to labor & delivery yesterday just to check things out. They said I wasn't going into labor...but they also said these should taper off & not be painful. They haven't tapered off & they most certainly do hurt. (I'm sure real contractions are much worse.) I'm not sure what to think The doc at the hospital also said I might go into labor early, even though I wasn't then...anyone have any experience with this? Any ideas? TIA, sorry the post is so long

 

[Bellebird]

Hello --

First of all congratulations -- you are in the home stretch.

For your question -- I had BH contrax almost constantly (in varying degrees) from 32 or 33 weeks on. Sometimes they were barely there and almost felt like a tickle, other times they were very intense and painful. And, mine either lasted until the day I had my daughter, or they seemlessly turned from BH into real contrax. My daughter came 1 week late via c-section after mid-labor induction turned into fetal distress. We were both perfectly happy and healthy within minutes of her birth, though - and the BH had nothing to do with our complications. Just something some of us have to live through for longer than others!

Everyone's pregnancy and labor/delivery are different, and only you really know your body and what things actually feel like. You are almost at your once-a-week appointments, so make sure to tell the doctor everything you are feeling so they know what to check for.

Good luck!

Kate

 

[Manda]

I'm another one that had them every day. They started around the end of the 2nd trimester and never stopped. Many an hour, every single day. Often strong enough to make me gasp and grab my stomach and scare bystanders. I also dilated early, but didn't go into true labor early. I kept wondering how I would tell the difference between these strong BH contractions and real contractions... but as soon as I felt a real contraction, I knew.

 

[StepInTime]

I guess I'm also wondering if there is anything I can do to relieve the discomfort? I'm a restaurant manager & on my feet for hours at a time. And I've done the gasping grabbing my stomach thing in front of customers It makes them a bit nervous. Just looking for ideas...

 

[DisneyDreamer8]

I had BH off and on starting around 5 months. They were always worse when I was being active. Around 7 1/2 months in my Dr. said to take it easy when I would have BH...sit down...put my feet up...and call if they became very regular.

My little guy came 2 weeks early because my water broke. As for knowing the difference between BH and real labor...it can be different for everyone. They let me labor for 4 hours on my own. I had no pain. My contractions were strong but not "organized" enough. So they put me on Pitocin....after about another 6 hours I felt pain...lots and lots of pain. I ended up with an epidural.

But the best advice is if you are worried...go to the hospital.

Best of luck with your L&D and congratulations!!!

 

[nessz79]

Agree that BH contrax will get better if you sit and relax...try putting your feet up. I had them all the time. They never really hurt, but they would make me uncomfortable. Also, I would get them if I hadn't drunk enough water- keep hydrated.

When you feel the labor contractions, you will know!

 

[Ariel on Land]

I started having ctx somewhere around 20 weeks (though I had two in there...) and they continued throughout my pregnancy. However, I was checked regularly for cervix changes, and was put on bed rest once my contractions started causing my cervix to soften and shorten. I assume when they told you that you weren't going into labor then, they meant there were no cervical changes. However, if I were you (and I admittedly am on the paranoid side of things ) I'd go in to see my doc and have him verify that, especially since you're still having them and they told you they'd taper off.

NOw things you can do to help: 1. This may not be an option, but get off of your feet as much as possible!! 2. DRINK DRINK DRINK AND DRINK some more! Maybe a little TMI, but your pee should be always be clear! The L&D nurses told me time and time again, not staying hydrated will bring on pre-term labor more than anything else.

Anyways good luck! Hope everything goes well!

 

[mjkacmom]

I had them with each pregnancy, and each pregnancy, earlier on, and they were bad enough with my twins that I ended up having a glass of wine every evening during the last few weeks, because they were so regular and painful - couldn't walk through them (worked like a charm!). Drink water, and rest. I once went to the hospital to be checked with #2, because they were painful and regular, and it turns out I was dehydrated. BH show up on the monitor the same as regular ones - I asked my OB what the difference was, and he said that while real contractions cause you to dilate and efface, BH don't, so if you're not dilated or effaced, they're BH.

 

[dis75ney]

My best friend is going through the same thing right now...she's due on Sunday and has been having BH contractions for the past few weeks or so. Her doctor just told her to relax as much as she could - it would be the last chance she'd get for a while! If the pains got really bad, she could either go to L&D and get checked out or take some Tylenol...

 

[sailors_wfe]

I'm pretty much the same place as you right now... 33 weeks along w/ my first girl... I've been feeling crampy pretty regularly for the past few weeks. Mentioned it to my Dr at my appt last week and he told me they were probably BH and I just needed to take it easy and make sure I was drinking enough water. He also told me if I had more then 6 an hour to come in to L&D. Definitely try to drink more water... that has seemed to help me a lot (i know I don't drink enough as it is)

Good Luck and keep us posted!!!

 

[dis-happy]

Drink your water!!! You want to stay well hydrated and if you aren't, it can cause your body to have contractions. Just want to make sure you are covering all your bases.

Also, I'd look into having your doctor write you a note that specifies how much time off your feet you need every hour to rest. Your work should accomodate you, even if they have to give you a stool to sit on or move you to a desk for a few weeks.

 

[Beka]

BH are just practice. I had them for 2 days, they hurt, and were regular, but since they weren't making me dilate, I wasn't considered in "active" labor. They wound up inducing, but that's a whole 'nother nightmare, er, story, that I'll spare you. Best of luck!

 

[Alesia]

I had them 10 minutes apart for the last 6 weeks of my pregnancy. They were like clockwork.

I've heard that having braxton-hicks makes your labor easier. I can't say whether that's true or not, but I will say that I had a ridiculously easy labor.

 

[disneymarie]

First...to everyone that answered my c/s question, thanks for all the great replies! He turned so hopefully no c/s!

Now my new question... I'm now almost 33 wks & I've been having Braxton Hicks contractions for 3 days. My doc had me go to labor & delivery yesterday just to check things out. They said I wasn't going into labor...but they also said these should taper off & not be painful. They haven't tapered off & they most certainly do hurt. (I'm sure real contractions are much worse.) I'm not sure what to think The doc at the hospital also said I might go into labor early, even though I wasn't then...anyone have any experience with this? Any ideas? TIA, sorry the post is so long

My last two months were increasing in them, not wearing off. I went two days after my due date.
At 5 weeks mark, before we went to Lancaster for the day and I swore all the way home I would be making a trip to the hospital.
It was fatigue and dehydration.

I should have known to keep a water bottle handy. On one trip they did keep me until morning and run an IV as I was dehydrated and as soon as fluids were on board, the BX calmed down, stopped and I went home in the morning for another week.
Try to take naps, drink fluids, let the practice ones work by relaxing and not going with them. When the real ones come on, you will know the difference,
Good luck,
Di

 

[Mommy2JulietJocelyn]

here's another answer for you repeating DRINK< DRINK< DRINK<DRINK - water water everywhere..... keep that bottle handy from this day forward..... with #1 i had them from 25 wks on ( i was placed on bedrest but I also had a complete placenta previa and work 12 hr shifts in the ED) - with my 2 other PG's i had them start earlier - including feeling them at like 14 weeks on my 3rd even though I was told there was no way that I was having BH then - I know what they fell like & these felt the same. I have always thought I had pretty easy labors - longest one lasted 12 hrs (that was the 2nd one) the BH are a way for your utuerus to practice for real contractions is how my dr explained it - you will continue to have them --- drink & rest. good luck

 

[Sue's Mum]

I am sorry to say that our DD had these for most of her pregnancy and had much difficulty in sleeping, so much so that she was one exhausted mum by the time the baby was born. Good job, in a way, that her DH was working shifts and she stayed with us quite a lot, so that I was on duty for the night feed and grandad did the late evening feed.

 

[liznboys]

I had them with each pregnancy, and each pregnancy, earlier on, ....

Me too! I had them starting at about 20 weeks with my first, and earlier with each one from there. So with my 4th I started getting them in my 1st trimester, crazy. And I used to joke about my poor uterus going through all that "practice labor" for nothing because I had scheduled, repeat c-sections with my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. I would look down at my belly and say, "don't bother, you don't need to go through all this, we're having a c-section!!" LOL

Anyway, to the OP, all I can add to what everyone else said is hang in there. It'll all be overwith before you know it!

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

Just becareful with them and maybe start timing them. With my son I had them a lot but not enough to cause any problems but with my daughter, I was 28 weeks when mine started, dident give them much thought, and they thurned out to be the real deal. Went into labor way too early. Now because of that I am considered high risk with this baby.

 

[dizneychik]

I understand your pain. I am 34 weeks and I went in yesterday because the past 2 days I was having cramping and BH. I lost some of my mucus plug and thats when it all began. I was put on the monitor for 40 minutes to make sure all was well and then checked to see if I was dialated. All was well. What my doctor told me to do was to relax, take extra strength tylenol, a warm bath and make sure to drink at least 1 gallon of water and that should help and if the contractions became constant and coming every ten minutes then I should come back in. So I have done all except take a warm bath. But since I have done some of those things I am feeling better. Just make sure to take it easy!

We are almost done!

 

[angelat]

I must agree with what many of the other posters have said. While often times it is perfectly normal for you to get BH, you have to make sure you are drinking your water. Yes, you will have to pee more, but you need to keep rehydrating yourself.
I worked as a cashier in a grocery store when I was pregnant with my son. We were absolutely NOT allowed to have drinks at our registers and I was rarely allowed to run to the bathroom or get a drink. I ended up with horrible contractions which I thought was labor a few weeks before I was due. I ended up in the hospital vomiting and in pain because of dehydration and a UTI. That is ALWAYS my only advice to my friends who are pregnant. Drink your water.

Good luck. I hope you are feeling better by now.