Question about Braxton Hicks contractions?

Question

I am almost 29 weeks pregnant and for the last few days I have been getting mentrual like cramps that last about 30 minutes and I get them a couple times a day. Are these Braxton Hicks contractions, this is my first pregnancy. I do not feel like my uterus is tightening it is just discomfot

Answer 1

I got cramping like that when I was pregnant. I was told it was just my uterus stretching and basically everything else moving out of the way to accomodate your growing baby. Braxton Hicks don't usually last for more than a few seconds and happen on and off but when you time them, they are not consistant. Don't worry! You will be just fine. If you're still concerned, call your doctor or midwife. By the time I was as far along as you are, I had my doctor's number on my speed dial ; ) GOOD LUCK!

Answer 2

With B-H contractions, the tummy usually does get hard, but not necessarily the *whole* tummy. I had them with all of my pregnancies, regularly and on a daily basis, so I was pretty much dealing with them constantly from about halfway through the pregnancy on. When I would have a B-H contraction, only the top half of my uterus would harden for about 20-30 seconds, then release.

During actual labor, the lower part of the uterus is doing more contracting, because it's the lower muscles that are pulling at the cervix to get it to dilate. Later, when the pushing stage arrives, those upper muscles contract more forcefully to help push the baby out from the top down. These top muscles are generally the ones your body is exercising during B-H contractions-- if it were contracting those lower muscles regularly, dilation and labor could result.

B-H contractions should be short in duration; your doctor can tell you where his/her comfort zone is, but generally 20-30 seconds from start to peak is considered normal and acceptable. Longer contractions, lasting 45+ seconds, can do some significant work towards dilating the cervix, so the length of the contractions can be more telling than how far apart they are. Some days, I could have 20-30 second long contractions every 2-3 minutes, for several hours! But since they were short, the doctors/midwives generally weren't worried.

What I was told to do when I would have a "run" of contractions coming regularly for a few hours (this would happen almost every evening in the 3rd trimester), was drink lots of fluids, including red raspberry leaf tea (it's good for the uterus), rest if I was too active, or get active if I was off my feet all day; basically, switch up my activity levels to the opposite of what I'd been doing. Also, a warm bath to relax the uterus muscles (and the rest of me!) was very helpful. I would put some lavender oil in the bathwater to aid in calming/soothing and relaxing.

If your sensations are low in the uterus, or located more in your lower back, it would be safest to put a call in to your doctor/midwife and see if they want to have you come in and get checked. It could be perfectly normal and harmless, but it could be an important sign or indicator of risk for preterm labor. At 29 weeks, you don't want to assume or guess anything, so it's best if you get it straight from your doctor that these *are* just B-H and not anything serious.

Congratulations on your pregnancy, and best of luck!

Answer 3

They are not braxton hicks, those would last 30-60 seconds and you would feel your tummy get tight. I'm 25 weeks with my fourth and I know the pain your talking about. It's basically your belly stretching. I don't think you should be too concerned unless you get other symptoms that accompany it, such as back aches, bleeding, etc. Just think, 11 more weeks and the pain will be gone. :)

Answer 4

i wish i had the answer for you that would ease your mind cause things like that gets you worried...i had 5 kids and had braxton hicks all the time...more with the last ones then my first one but my uterus would harden when contracted....make sure you ask your dr next visit and if other symptoms occur dont hestitate to get to the hospital...praying for you that it is braxton hicks and congratulations

Answer 5

contractions actually make your stomach get really hard-braxton hicks are different then actual labor contractions-just drink water and time them-if they come like different times apart they are braxton hicks-if they start getting regular then its real-but cramps like period ones maybe your over doing it-take it easy and keep the clock close-if any concerns call your dr. good luck

Answer 6

it could be braxton hicks, if it continues and the contractions are comming close together then you should go to the hospital.

Answer 7

to me it sounds like your muscles are cramping from trying to hold the weight of the baby. I experienced this with my first child they told me to wear an abdominal binder which is like an ace bandage that goes under your belly and helps to carry the extra weight. If you are too concerned call your ob they are usually happy to help with questions like these.

Answer 8

My wife had the same. Eat easy-on-the-stomache foods (soups, grains, fish, juices, veggies). Lay down ofter and massage your tummy (lightly). Relax and breathe deeply (meditate). If they get real bad, see your doctor and s/he will perscribe a mild drug to relax the spasms. You'll be fine.

Answer 9

I agree with "the hero's" answer.