Braxton Hicks? mommys only!!!!?

Question

I am 34 weeks pregnant and dilated almost 2cm since last night I have been getting back pain and when I do, my belly gets really hard. Is that just stronger braxton hicks or could it be a sign of labor? I already have a son who was born early so my doctor thinks I will probably go early again. Please only answer if you are a woman who has children and can help me!!

Answer 1

the best way to tell brax and labor apart....Time your contractions(tightening of ur tummy) when they are 5 min apart definitely go to the hospital. Mine were on and off from about 34 weeks until birth. They would be 10 min apart several days in a row, then 8, then 7 and I went to the ER about 4 times before it was real. I just had a baby 1 1/2 mon ago and it was crazy I went in on Fri morn to my ob/gyn and told her i was in labor she checked me out....I was only at 1 1/2 cm and contracting every 7 min (i was 38 weeks) she sent me home and said wait till their 5 min apart & that I should make it to my due date which was 2 weeks away.Well, my mom took me shopping after leaving the dr office for 4 hours. about 2 hours after shopping they were 5 min apart , I went to th ER and had him the next after-noon, natural,non-induced, no complications.

Answer 2

I am 28 weeks pregnant and having the same problems. I just went to the hospital 2 days ago and they had to stop my contractions with medication. They used nifedipine so you may want to ask your doctor about that medication to stop preterm labor. I would definitely call him or just go on to the hospital. It would be better if he could stay in there a while longer. Also, lots and lots of water and lying on your left side if you don't know that already.

What some of these people don't understand here is that even if they are just Braxton Hicks, they can still cause problems, and you still need to be evaluated! This is the 2nd time I have been through this as I had to have medication to stop early labor with my first baby also! The contractions never really hurt, they just were coming so frequently and strong enough to start causing dilation of the cervix. If you are unsure, always go get checked, better to be safe. That baby needs every chance it can get. I am glad I did as my first baby wasn't born until 38 weeks 4 days because I kept going and going to the hospital, getting meds when needed, and staying in close touch with my doctors. Don't worry what they think, they have heard it all.

Answer 3

It is either Braxton-Hicks like you think or preterm labor (and painful back labor at that). Are you able to time the contractions? If you have more than 4 in an hour, go to the hospital immediately. Your doctor is right. Giving birth early is a trend if you've had one early baby.

Answer 4

being 34 weeks you had to have experienced Braxton Hicks already. Do these feel differnent? they say that they are supposed to get more frequent and intense as we progress. But they also say that when you fell it radiate around from the front and into the back that it is the real thing. Seeing as you are already 2cm I don't really know I would check with the doc but it sounds like labor to me. I've been debating asking something similar for the past 2 hours as my contractions are gaining in pain and frequency. Due any time with my third. Well, congratulations and good luck to you.


I reported the a-s-s chris who needs to learn if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all.

Answer 5

I dilated to 4 c and had bad bad braxton hicks with my son for a month in a half. The difference between true contractions and BH is that cont are consistent and get increasingly worse/intense. My mother had them so bad that the nurse said she was in labor (it registered on the quip as one), but the dr came in and sd no, that just Kathy's way of getting ready, shes not due for 6 wks and prob be late at that. You know what...she had my bro 6.5 weeks later...She had 8 kids by the way...

Answer 6

You could be in the early pregnancy stage. I was just in the ER Friday morning, having the same pains in my back and my stomach having a constant hurt. The nurse said I am in the early labor stage. I am though 38 weeks pregnant. I have gone in before having contractions at around 34 weeks and they gave me medicine to stop them. The hospital also made me drink 2 pitchers of water before I left. Good Luck to you.

Answer 7

Usually back pain that comes and goes is a sign of labor. Braxton Hicks are ususally in the front, though every woman is different. I never had back labor, never went into labor on my own-I was induced. My mother had back labor and she told me it comes and goes in regular patterns when in labor. Good luck

Answer 8

Hi
If you can't time them and they are erratic throughout your day it is Braxton Hicks. If you can time them and they are constant it could be labor. I had alot of Braxton hicks with both of my children. Good luck with your new arrival. Don't worry, when in doubt you can always call your dr they will be glad to put your mind at ease.

Answer 9

I am a ER nurse, and it sounds like early labor. They may want to admit you and give you some IV steroids for lung developement...or they may want to put you on some meds that halt labor...but it could be too late. I would definitely go in, even if it's only to a family practitioner...anyone would give you better advice than just worrying about it. You don't need the worry right now at 34wks!

Answer 10

you could be having braxton hicks , have you lost mucus plug? Are there other things going on, like do they come close together or do you have a contraction then you go for hours without any problems. I would let your doctor know whats going on.