What are braxton hicks?

Question

1. What do they feel like?
2. At what point in pregnancy will they start?
3. How long do they last when it happens and how often?
4. How will I know exactly that they are the braxton hicks or not?

Answer 1

1. they are usually painless contractions....it will feel like part of your belly is hardening and somthing is pushing your belly out from the inside...
2. they can start as early as the 2nd trimester, but are more distinguishable and frequent the 3rd trimester (i started getting them at 25 weeks)
3. they normally last between 30 seconds to 1 minute...they come sporadically....if you find yourself having more than 6 in one hour you are advised to contact your doctor
4. again, they are normally painless.....i associated mine with having a big gas bubble in my stomach that wants to pop...its just pushes on my belly for 30-45 seconds straight, and then goes away....

braxton hicks contractions are training your uterus to contract for labor...

Answer 2

Braxton Hicks are the results of the uterus stretching, and preparing for labor. They can start at any time, with my first I didn't have them until the end of my second trimester, although with my third I started having them in my 3rd month. The length and frequency varies, although they really don't happen all that much. You can tell the difference because they are not consistant and do not hurt nearly as bad a real contractions. They will get your attention but are not 'painful', of course that is depending on your personel pain level, lol. Make sure that you are always drinking plenty of water, and getting enough rest. Dehydration and fatigue can bring them on. I would always seem to get a couple after going to the grocery store, or for a long walk. Don't worry about them, they really aren't something to be concerned about, just a part of being preggie. I am in the process of writting a preggie book, , I will be posting parts of it on my blog if you wanna check it out at:(http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fus... In my book I discuss symptoms, and many things that doctors neglect to cover with expectant mothers. Hope some of that info is helpful!

Answer 3

Think of Braxton Hicks as practice for the real thing. They start fairly late in pregnancy, just take a deep breath and ride it out. The whole labor experience is different for every one of us. So I can't tell you what happens and how often. Think of good stuff and breath a lot. I found singing to help when I had a contraction, I just sang a note until it past. Sort of like opera. Read everything you can and pay attention to you, not a bunch of statistical propaganda. Good Luck and enjoy.....

Answer 4

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 5

Braxton Hicks are contractions that lead up to real contractions. They dont hurt. When I was pregnant they started about a month before I gave birth and would last a few minutes a day and usually happen a couple times a day. Nothing painful or annoying though. The day before the real contractions started they lasted all day.

Answer 6

Braxton hicks are contractions also called false labor or practice contractions
1. Tightening of the uterine muscles for 1 to 2 minutes
2. 2nd or 3rd trimester
3. 1-2 minutes at varying times
4. You can tell if they are braxton hicks because there will be no pattern to them. They will come and go as they please at anytime of the day. Real contraction will start to become a pattern every so many minutes starting with the minutes farther apart and then getting closer togather.

Answer 7

1. Mine felt like the baby was trying to come out of my belly "Alien" style... not really painful, more just uncomfortable pressure- I felt them more at the top.
2. Depends entirley on the woman- I started having them about 15 or 16 weeks in
3. Shouldn't last more than 10 to 15 seconds and shouldn't be more than about 4 per hour, they are usually pretty irregular
4. Contractions hurt. Braxton hicks are just irritating, if they are really hurting you or are associated with back pain or are frequent and regular, they are probably contractions and you need to call the doctor.

Hope I helped- that is what it felt like to me, everyone experiences it differently (pregnancy), so you may be a little different than me.

Answer 8

They are false labor contractions, they can start as early as 30 weeks, some women (like myself )never get them. Real contractions the pain starts in your back & wraps around to your tummy, your tummy will tighten as this happens, & they are evenly spaced apart like 10 mins then 8 min. Hicks tend to be inconsistant less painfull and the will be 2 min apart then 5 then 3 then 10, those are the guidlines my OB gave me. But if you are ever unsure & they are comming 5 min apart (or any contraction prior to 35 weeks pregnant) go to the hospital they can tell you for sure.

Answer 9

1. They feel like cramps. Kind of like when you have your period.
2. I think they occur most of the time in the last trimester. Mine were the last month.
3. They can last on and off until the end of pregnancy
4. You'll know. They told me this too - after my second trip to the hospital. Real labor...is real pain.

If you lose your mucas plug - your baby will be born within 3 days. I never believed it...until hit happened. Trust me on the pain - real labor and braxton hicks...totally different.

Answer 10

Braxton hicks are pre labor contractions....To me it felt like tightening around my belly like someone was squeezing me...They normally start around 30 weeks..At first you`ll get one or two then more, more often...With Braxton Hicks it wont be painful for you..