What are braxton hicks contractions?

Question

This is my 2 nd pregnancy (21 weeks) and I have contractions since 16 th week, as happened with the other pregnancy. Want to know more about them. I had a scan done yesterday and the uterus is OK, closed, though sometimes I have 14 - 15 contractions a day. Is this normal??

Thanks for the answers. I am used to them but after 14/15 in a day i feel pain inside. Also I have a problem with Magnesium - know this from teenager. May this be the cause for having so many contractions, on a daily basis (though much better last couple of days) ??

Answer 1

How can I tell the difference between Braxton Hicks and true labor contractions?
In the days or weeks before labor, Braxton Hicks contractions may intermittently become rhythmic, relatively close together, and even painful, at times fooling you into thinking you're in labor. But unlike true labor, during this so-called "false labor" the contractions don't grow consistently longer, stronger, and closer together.

Answer 2

I would put it in my own words, but I think this explains it better :)

"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." "

To read the rest of the article go to link below.

Answer 3

Braxton Hicks contractions are intermittent painless uterine contractions that may occur every 10 to 20 minutes. They occur after the third month of pregnancy. These contractions are not true labor pains but are often interpreted as such. They are not present in every pregnancy.
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."

Some good sites to read up on Braxton-Hicks

http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/laborbasics/a/bhctx.htm

http://www.pregnancy-info.net/braxton_hicks.html

http://www.pregnancy-info.net/braxton_hicks.html

Good luck and congratulations :-)

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.
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.

Answer 5

Braxton-hicks contractions are contractions that are readying your body to have the baby. They are sort of like false or weak contractions that can happen very early in the pregnancy. They are kind of getting your body ready to do its natural thing (REAL contractions and having the baby.) Sometimes they can hurt, but trust me, you'll know when the real ones are coming on.

Answer 6

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).

Answer 7

very normal. its your body's way of "praticing" for the real thing. its kinda a stress test for the body. to see if your baby can handle it without it all coming at once. like training for a marathon, you wouldnt just run 30 miles without praticing, right?

Answer 8

small contractions that get your body ready for the real ones

Answer 9

yes their normal just "Practice" for the real thing, you'll also get cramping as your uterous expands which is normal too.