This is my first pregnancy, and I'm 26 weeks pregnant. Should I be feeling those Braxton Hicks contractions now? I have no idea what they feel like, so would I even know its happening? Can anyone describe how it feels?
2007-02-24 01:26:40 · 10 answers · asked by tangyterp83 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
I wondered this same thing and I kept telling my doctor that I had never had any all the way up to like 30 weeks I had no idea what they were. It wasn't until my Aunt put a hand to my stomach and said how hard it was and told me I was having a contraction. I was like THAT'S A BRAXTON HIX??? So anyway, you may not notice it right away but whenever you feel your stomach getting really hard that is a braxton hix contraction. I was always waiting to feel it tighten but the way I noticed it was to literally feel my stomach and feel that it was very tight and hard as a rock. Then after you know that you may start to notice it as it tightens. To me it wasn't a very significant feeling so I just passed it as nothing. But after a while you will begin to notice them more because they get harder and more significant. You may also not get them until much later in your pregnancy! Don't stress if you still don't feel them. Like I told you, I didn't feel them for a long time before. But later on in your pregnancy you will notice a lot of aches and pains that weren't there before! Enjoy it now if you don't!
Good luck!!
2007-02-24 01:38:43 · answer #1 · answered by Troopers_Gurl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can happen anytime, and even sometimes they won't happen at all. I got them alot and it just feels like tightening of the belly, cramping, you might get nauseous, and they usually only last a couple minutes or less and are very far inbetween. if you time them it won't be consistent, like from braxton hicks #1 to #2 it could be 5 minutes, from #2 to #3 it could be 10 minutes, #3 to #4 could be 2 minutes, etc. (real labor will be regular and easily timed). It really just feels like cramping, but you may also get lower back pain, headache, etc. you can talk to your doctor if you get any wierd symptoms, or if it is extremely painful. Also, don't be afraid to go to the doctor or ER at any time if you are worried or think something is wrong-- better to be safe than sorry! But braxton hicks are usually minor and don't hurt that bad... good luck and hope you'll be spared from them altogether!! (:
2007-02-24 09:40:49 · answer #2 · answered by lynn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had these all the time during my pregnancy and they started around 6-7 months. All the sudden one area of my belly would tighten up into a rock-hard spot, it would kinda move a little and then within 30sec-1 minute it would dissipate. It didn't hurt, but it didn't feel great either. I would have my husband feel my belly when I was getting them and like I said, it became really hard, not like the typical squishy pregnancy belly. There was no pattern to them either. My doctor said it was great that I was getting them b/c it was practice for the real thing. I had the easiest labor and delivery ever...hope that's the case for you!!! Congrats and Good Luck!!!
2007-02-24 09:34:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It feels like your belly is contracting. It will get rock hard in places, or all over. Some times it hurts, some times it doesnt. They can last for minutes at a time.
I had them at 16 weeks clear through. You can get them at any time. Some women dont notice them at all, or even really get them, and just fly right into labor. Either way, dont worry about it.
If you have painful contractions, more than 6 in an hour that dont go away when you lay down and drink water, call your OB right away, thats a sign of preterm labor.
2007-02-24 09:30:02 · answer #4 · answered by amosunknown 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
braxton hicks is like real labor but only it's not, u will feel them when u feelthem every pregnancy is different. u will have cramping and alot of pain
2007-02-24 09:35:13 · answer #5 · answered by stefstudy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I felt them really early like my 13th week, but everyone is different and my friend was pregnant with me never felt them at all. Your belly just gets really hard and it feels really tight. Your muscles are contracting in your belly so that is what it feels like. It can get a little painful but if it gets really painful ask your dr about it.
2007-02-24 09:40:16 · answer #6 · answered by Kris H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i honestly didn't notice them until about...id say 31-32 weeks or so. sometimes you dont even know its happening, it can either feel like light cramping, or your belly will feel rock hard. don't be nervous if you start to feel them a lot more often, its preparing your body for labor. ive mistaken these for labor a few times and am embarassed to show up at the hospital again! hehe
2007-02-24 09:33:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
At only 26 weeks, you probably won't be in pain from them, if you have them at all. It just feels like your belly is tightening up for a few seconds.
2007-02-24 09:36:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I got them as soon as 5 month's It feels like fluttering inside your belly.GOOD LUCK
2007-02-24 09:32:56 · answer #9 · answered by mom of 3 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You may never feel them...I never did...everyone's pregnancy is different. Congrats!
2007-02-24 09:34:19 · answer #10 · answered by i_love_my_mp 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋