What do Braxton Hicks Contractions feel like?

Question

What do Braxton Hicks Contractions feel like and how early can you start to feel them?

I'm in my 24th week and I had a tightening in my lower abdomen earlier today for a few seconds then it was over. When I touched it, it felt hard and then a few seconds later it went back to normal.

Answer 1

Braxton Hicks contractions are the irregular intermittent contractions that occur during pregnancy. They typically begin around the 20th week of pregnancy, but may begin earlier for women who have had previous pregnancies. Braxton Hicks contractions are described by some as a tightening feeling. Some women describe them as being similar to menstrual cramps. While other women describe Braxton Hicks contractions as a feeling of the baby balling or bunching up in one place.

Answer 2

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

Braxton Hicks are when your stomach gets really hard all of a sudden. Yes, I had BH as early as you did-- they'll just become more frequent over time. Especially the last 4 weeks.

I hope this isn't too much information, but the next time you have sex, feel your abdomen after you have an orgasm-- it should get really hard.

It shouldn't be painful at all (if it is, it's a real contraction). At the most, your belly will feel really weird and tight--the pressure might feel weird, but not painful.

Answer 4

Braxton Hicks contractions can start as early as the 16th week. I started getting mine at 19. And yes, that's exactly what they feel like.

They happen irregularly. The symptoms are exactly as you described -- a tightening in the abdomen, possibly uncomfortable but not painful. Firmness, then relaxes and returns to normal.

Answer 5

I thought braxton hicks felt like more intense menstrual cramps. Like a tighter cramping feeling. In fact, the first time I had braxton hicks cont. I was 24 weeks and I thought for a brief moment I was going to start my period! LOL - I suppose people could describe the feeling differently. Hope this helps!

Answer 6

Exactly what you felt are braxton hicks, and they can vary in pain level the farther you are. If they happen frequently or many times in a day you should see your doctor... my braxton hicks were a sign i had low iron.

Answer 7

They are in the back and stomach. Usually they feel like real labor. If they don't last, then they are Braxton Hicks.

Answer 8

from the back to front ...but that could also be your muscles stretching braxton hicks usually starts around 34 or so weeks

Answer 9

Let me answer this simply Yes that was Braxton-Hicks and no they are not fake but very real.

Answer 10

They feel like real contractions, your stomach will get major or minor pains minutes apart, hardening of the stomach which is actually your uterus.
They can be very painful, its just mother nature preparing your body for the real thing.