I am 36 weeks along and I'm having these pains that are shooting across the top of my belly and into my ribs, my stomach is kinda hard but a little soft at the top, ive been having them for an hour now and they are sharp pains. They are kinda like the pains I get when I have to have a bowel movement only a little sharper. i was wondering if anyone knows if this is what contractions are like. Also, I'm kinda nautious...not alot but a little.
2006-09-07 08:33:03 · 14 answers · asked by sapphiredreams_69 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
My baby hasn't dropped yet.
2006-09-07 08:38:48 · update #1
My baby hasn't dropped yet, and my water hasn't broken. could it still be contractions?
2006-09-07 08:39:54 · update #2
This sounds like one of two things. First of all they could be braxton hicks which I am compelled to believe that is what it is since half of your stomach is still soft. With actual contractions your entire stomach usually gets hard. These could go on for quite awhile and are your bodies way of preparing you for the real thing.
They could also be signs of early labor. I would call your doctor and just seek their advise. Time them and if they get stronger then you know its the real thing!
Good luck hon!
2006-09-07 08:40:23 · answer #1 · answered by foolnomore2games 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Braxton Hicks contractions can begin as early as the second trimester, however they are most common in the third trimester. The muscles of your uterus tighten for approximately 30 to 60 seconds or as long as 2 minutes. Braxton Hicks are also called “practice contractions” because they will prepare you for the real thing and you can practice the breathing exercises you are learning in your childbirth classes.
Braxton Hicks are described as:
Irregular in intensity
Infrequent
Unpredictable
Non-rhythmic
More uncomfortable than painful
They do not increase in intensity, or frequency
They taper off and then disappear altogether
If your contractions are easing up in any way, they are most likely Braxton Hicks.
In the days or weeks before labor, Braxton Hicks contractions may intermittently become rhythmic, relatively close together, and even painful, at times fooling you into thinking you're in labor. But unlike true labor, during this so-called "false labor" the contractions don't grow consistently longer, stronger, and closer together.
What can I do to alleviate Braxton Hicks contractions?
Change positions; lie down if you have been standing or go for a walk if you have been sitting or laying
Take a warm bath for 30 minutes or less
Drink a couple of glasses of water, because contractions may be brought on by dehydration
Drink a warm cup of herbal tea or milk
If doing any of these does not alleviate your contractions, you should contact your healthcare provider.
2006-09-07 15:52:58 · answer #2 · answered by hedychambers 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Contractions don't have to be painful. The muscles are tightening when you have a contraction, so if you push on you're stomach it will feel like a rock, literally. It shouldn't really be soft anywhere. They could be practice contractions or "braxton hicks" contractions. You're body does that to prepare for the workout of you're life. It's a warm up. They can even be timed like normal contractions but normally don't get closer together, like real contractions. So start timing them when they start and when they end. Real contractions will get closer together and start to last longer.
GOOD LUCK
2006-09-07 15:41:06 · answer #3 · answered by ninkmann2000 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Contractions are like intense menstrual cramps, When you're in labor contractions come every 2-5mins and get stronger and longer as they come... Also you will not be able to sit on your bottom.. If you are able to sleep or get in the tub for at least 20mins you are not in labor.. True labor DOES NOT go away... It may be braxton hicks which are common.. I just had a baby a mth ago and the way contractions felt is still in my mind...Good Luck
2006-09-07 15:43:19 · answer #4 · answered by menyon2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, technically 38 weeks is done baking...you could be having Braxton-Hicks contractions. Relax, get a watch & time them.
If they are coming regularly & getting closer together, call your doctor. An actual contraction is an all around feeling & your belly will be hard all over. It will come regularly & get closer in time as you get further along.
If this is your first, relax, it may be a long ride....
2006-09-07 15:41:16 · answer #5 · answered by fairly smart 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Girl! You better call your dr about that one!! I'm 24 weeks along with my first, so I can't tell you what they feel like personally. But I hear that it feels like a bad period cramp, and kinda like you need to have a bowel movement. Good luck!! Hope all goes well for you and the baby!! = )
2006-09-07 15:39:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I started cramping about a week or so before I went into labor. They weren't horrible cramps but they were uncomfortable. Now when I did start having contractions, they kind of felt like spurts of severe menstrual cramping.
2006-09-07 15:45:35 · answer #7 · answered by Ms. FairyLove 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you asked your doctor about Braxton Hicks? That's what it sounds like to me. Check it out!
http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/laborbasics/a/bhctx.htm
2006-09-07 15:51:02 · answer #8 · answered by shmeeb 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they feel like cramps/ sharp gas pains
how many minutes are they apart????
but they also could be braxton hicks contractions
those are like false contractions
i would still go to the hospital to see or call your OB GYN
CONGS!!!!
2006-09-07 15:39:45 · answer #9 · answered by princessjenn519 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are having contractions and need to breathe deeply when these hard lumps of pain come up on your ribs.
Breathe in your nose deep...count to 6 and slowly breathe out mouth, the pain slowly goes down, but u better get to the hospital.
You ARE IN LABOR>........sing to Jesus while u breathe u will be fine.
2006-09-07 15:37:01 · answer #10 · answered by sunflare63 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋