What do Braxton Hicks contractions feel like?

Question

This is my second pregnancy and I am just starting my 9th month. I don't remember exactly how Braxton Hicks contractions feel like, but I do know the difference between them and regular contractions. This has been a harder pregnancy for me (the baby is growing faster then expected) and lately I have been feeling wht I think are Braxton Hicks contractions ... where my stomach is all tight and sometimes with the tightness comes lower back pain. Are these Braxton Hicks contractions? If so, does anyone know when real contractions will start?

Answer 1

When i was pregnant with twins..braxton Hicks were Non stop..drove me nuts...they would even make me tinkle a little bit..it really was uncomfortable. When I would feel one coming on..I'd say to my husband..just hold on..here comes another..Sometimes they were so tight..I'd actually see the shapes of the babies. It happened more moving around. I knew when they were about to happen. I'd make my husband put his havd on my belly so he could feel how tight it got..sometimes i felt like I was being squeezed to death. But i guess with twins they are more exagerated than with a single pregnancy. But anyways..Happy 9th month.....I know you are anxious!

Answer 2

What are Braxton Hicks contractions?
Braxton Hicks are sporadic uterine contractions that actually start at about 6 weeks, although you won't be able to feel them that early. You probably won't start to notice them until sometime after midpregnancy, if you notice them at all (some women don't). They get their name from John Braxton Hicks, an English doctor who first described them in 1872.

As your pregnancy progresses, Braxton Hicks contractions tend to come somewhat more often, but until you get to your last few weeks, they should remain infrequent, irregular, and essentially painless. Sometimes, though, Braxton Hicks are hard to distinguish from early signs of preterm labor. Play it safe and don't try to make the diagnosis yourself. If you haven't hit 37 weeks yet and you're having four or more contractions in an hour, or have any other signs of preterm labor, call your caregiver immediately.

By the time you're within a couple of weeks of your due date, these contractions may get more intense and more frequent, and cause some discomfort. Unlike the earlier painless and sporadic Braxton Hicks contractions that caused no obvious cervical change, these may help your cervix "ripen": gradually soften and efface, and maybe even begin to dilate a bit. This period is sometimes referred to as "pre-labor."

Answer 3

I have had BH since I was 20 wks pregnant(3rd pregnancy). I was told an easy way to tell the difference between the "real thing" and BH is to lay on your left side and see if they go away. Also drink lots of water. Dehydration can cause contractions. If you are moving around and the contraction gets worse it is probably a real contraction. Also it's always a good thing to time the contractions. If you are in doubt you should call your dr. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Those sound like Braxton-Hicks contractions. The only way you will know the real ones from the practice ones, as they are all true contractions of the uterus, is if you begin to have some sort of mucus or bloody show, or if they become pretty darn uncomfortable.

Answer 5

Braxton Hicks contractions do not advance to persistent, regular intervals like regular contractions that lead to the birth.

With my second child, I was constantly wondering, "Is it time?" and it was very frustrating.

When the real contractions came, there was no question in my mind because they could be timed to be at regular intervals, that became very regular, and INSISTENT!~

Good Luck with your new baby!!

Answer 6

i just had a baby 3 weeks ago, is my third and like u i forgot what it was like the doctor told me that when i felt braxton hicks is because ur body is getting ready for the real thing she told me my hubby could help by stimulating my nipples, it felt good and it helped, ull know when is time because when is not the real thing u always have doubt ur not 100 % sure but when is the real thing u wont even think twice in going to the hospital. good luck

Answer 7

You will know. Real contractions are far more regular, frequent and intense. Who knows, maybe your water will break before your contractions begin then you will have no doubt that it's time!

Answer 8

yes, they are BH, but no- could be a while until the real thing yet. I had bh for about a month. good luck