just read a question about braxton hicks and now im confused!?

Question

im 19 weeks pregnant on monday with my 2nd pregnancy, #1 was m/c at 9 weeks, so this is all new to me what im feeling. i didnt think you got braxton hicks till really late on in pregnancy and i just read a question with answers sayin people got them from around 20 weeks on, some even earlier.

how do i know the difference between B.H and something being wrong as im quite anxious due to previous m/c, and with my 1st pregnancy, i didnt experience any signs of m/c so i thought everything was ok.

i had a tight feeling across my lower abdomen this morning which was more painful when i stood up it lasted 25-30 sec and the more i read these answers i think it may have been BH. i just assumed it was ligament pain

Answer 1

Braxton Hicks are in fact 'real' contractions--the only difference is, they don't cause the cervix to dilate, labor to progress, etc. But it is in fact the same feeling and actions of the uterus that you feel with early labor.

If you feel contractions, you should drink a glass of water (dehydration frequently causes contractions or even early labor) and lie down on your side. If the contractions continue, are regular, or you experience more than four in an hour, call your doctor. Be calm, and make sure you tell them everything--when you felt the first contraction, what you did, how many and how frequently you've felt contractions since. This will help your doctor decide whether you need to be seen right away.

I know it's very scary to be pregnant, especially after a miscarriage. The best thing you can do for yourself and your baby is to relax as much as possible, think positively, take care of yourself, and calmly relate any problems to your doctor.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I am 37 weeks along with my first. I have had Braxton-Hicks off and on for about 2 1/2 months now. My doctor told me to call if the contractions became regular (4 or more an hour), if i had a change in the amount/kind of vaginal discharge, or if i had any bleeding. I never had to call the doctor. THe Braxton-Hicks were never painful, just a tightening across my lower belly. Hope this helps!

Answer 3

I had braxton hicks contractions from about 3 months on during both of my pregnancies. They were even very painful from the begining. But, it just depends on the person. How do you tell if they are braxton hicks or something being wrong? Well, you go to the doctor and have them check you out. It is the only way to be sure. I would call and ask the doctor anytime that I "felt" something might be wrong. Better safe than sorry!

Answer 4

I'm 28 weeks and started getting braxton hicks contractions at around week 22 or so...

Braxton Hicks contractions are simply a tightening of the uterus...it prepares you for when you have real contractions later on down the road. Sometimes they are called "practice contractions." They should not be painful but they can be pretty uncomfortable, especially if you have to pee really bad!! Your stomach will just get rock hard for like a minute and then slowly relax. Sometimes I can feel my uterus tightening up as I have one, other times I don't notice until I stand up and feel it or my hand brushes across my belly and then I notice it. I get them quite often. Sometimes multiple an hour. I asked my OBGYN about the frequency and he said not to worry, that its normal and that my body will be extra ready when the real contractions come! If you have them with bleeding, cramping, or pain then contact your doctor, but otherwise they are normal and healthy.

Also, if you are having them very frequently try drinking some water...dehydration can make you have them more often.

Good luck!

Answer 5

I got my first Braxton Hicks contraction at 17 almost 18 weeks. It feels like your belly tightens up. It usually lasts for 30 seconds-1 minute (at least mine did - it may be a bit longer), and it can take your breath away. It's not supposed to hurt exactly, but it can be uncomfortable.
i'm sorry about your previous loss. I lost my first pregnancy at 5-6 weeks and was SO anxious about this one (I'm 32 weeks now). Try not to worry. I know that is so much easier said than done, but the best advice I can offer is to BELEIVE in this pregnancy. I wish you luck and a happy and healthy rest of pregnancy. :)

Answer 6

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/laborbasic...

http://www.pregnancy-info.net/braxton_hi...

http://www.pregnancy-info.net/braxton_hi...

Hope this helps :-)

Answer 7

Im 21 wks and get em. They dont hurt they just a little tighning of my belly area.. and go away really fast. But i have no pain.. just catches ya off guard sometimes.

Answer 8

Go to the doctor. You should be able to call with any questions. I always thought they came later in the pregnancy too. They always did for me anyway, with my three kids. It is never good to just sit and worry about something.