What do Braxton Hicks contractions feel like? How do you make them stop?

Question

My tummy feels real tight at times, and then it goes back to normal.

I'm pissed at my husband, and ready to kill him to be quite honest. Does being upset and angry have any bearing over what can cause BH contractions?

I'm still pissed, even though I've tried to stop (it's a legit reason. Promise)... How can I get these to stop???

Answer 1

When your belly tightens and balls up like a rock, then relaxes, that is a contraction. Usually people notice them at the end of the day, especially after you've been on your feet and haven't had enough water to drink. Women also start contracting from nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, and sometimes from sex. They are harmless and normal, unless they started to get regular and uncomfortable, in which case you would want to call your doctor.

Stress has nothing to do with contractions, miscarriage, going into labor, etc. The further along you are, the more contractions you will feel.

Answer 2

Braxton Hicks feel like normal contractions, but they aren't time able like regular contractions are. If they won't stop, try lying down on your back or side, and elevating your feet slightly. This should make them stop. And the anger thing...that is just your hormones, you may be more irritable during the contractions because you are uncomfortable or in pain, but it will all pass. Now, when it's time to deliver the little one...tell your husband to brace himself. You may be much angrier than you are now....but you are entitled. Good luck!

Answer 3

Braxton Hicks contraction makes your belly tight and sometimes you may even feel like it's harder to take in a breath. But it doesn't last long. It usually lasts about 30 seconds to a minute. The best way to make it stop is to move around - walk around.

Answer 4

I'm sorry you're angry at your husband. You're going to want to talk about whatever caused it and move on because your anger affects your baby--it's all pheromones and hormones, after all, and those travel up the umbilical cord like everything else in your body.

I don't know about a connection between stress and B/H contractions, but you're definitely having B/H contractions from the sound of it. I don't think you can stop them; it's like your abdomen doing it's own exercises...

Try to stay hydrated, see if you can find a prenatal exercise class to work out those frustrations and strengthen your abs and back.

Answer 5

Tightening in the tummy sounds like Braxton Hicks to me. They may or may not be painful at times as well. You can try to change positions, that usually helps.

Unfortunately, you cannot make them stop completely. They are one of the "perks" of pregnancy. They are especially common in the last stages of pregnancy. I was lucky enough not to get any with my first pregnancy, but with my current pregnancy, I already have them and I am only into my second trimester.

Answer 6

Women have different explainations of what bh contractions feel like, but for me, it was just a tightening on the top of my uterus. Sometimes they got uncomfortable, but never painful. I do think that stress can have a big bearing on them. If the rest of your body isnt relaxed, I would only imagine that the uterus would tense up too.

Answer 7

My stomach would become rock-hard during contractions. My doc told me one way to reduce Braxton-Hicks was to drink lots of water.