Braxton Hicks-Open Forum

Can someone describe BH, how it feels like, how long does it last, etc.  I am only 30 weeks but lately, mostly in the evenings, my lower stomach gets real tight, it doesn't hurt but I feel like my boy is sitting way low and my lower tummy gets real hard.  Am I experiencing BH?
Thanks!
Dolly

[froggies1]

Sounds like them to me.....  Wow 10 more weeks.....

[Harley-girl]

I started feeling my BH at 20 weeks. It is like a tightening and hardening of the uterus. Sometimes I feel a mild pain, like a muscle cramp and then it all eases up.

[Want1more]

My BH felt like just irregular harding and tighting in my abdomen area! Sometimes they may be uncomfortable but they eventually go away. I ususally took a nap when I got them, then when I woke up, they were gone! Don't worry you'll get plenty more spells of those! Good Luck sweetie, your almost there.....Take Care~~~

[DollChina]

Froggies, thanks, I think I night be but I wasn't sure.  BTW, you should probably go to the doc regarding the greenish stuff.
Harley, I stated to notice mine a few weeks ago, it gets real uncomfortable.  Not so sure about the pelvic bone pain though.

[DollChina]

Do Braxton Hicks resemble anything like real contractions.  They don't hurt, just tight and uncomfortable.  I drink a lot of water during the day but not any after 8:00 because I would be peeing all night if I do...

[AnnieBrooke]

I'm glad you posted this question!  I started having them yesterday, at 22 or so weeks (sorry, don't have my calendar here for the exact date).  I sort of knew they were BH, but am so glad to read other posters' comments about what they mean.  I did drink a lot of extra water and lie down, since I'm out of town at the moment and don't want anything exciting to begin. :)  They kind of feel like a slow-rolling hardening in the uterus area, and then after a while they release.  It reminds me just a bit of when you can feel gas moving around in your intestines, apparently turning a corner and releasing itself from a fold of the intestine into a new, larger section.  I was just a little worried for the baby, of course.  Glad to hear it's all just rehearsal, also glad to hear the water and the rest is what to do.

[pearl451]

Just try to take it easy when you do get them. I don't want to scare anyone but I thought I was having braxton hicks w DD & it turned out that they were full blown contractions at 23 weeks. Just be aware of them & how often you get them. If they ever get worse or you just don't feel right go to the Dr! I waited 3 days thinking these are not contractions & they were!

[Jenny10146]

Sound like BH to me too.  I had them with my daughter.  I thought i was in labor 2 times before I actually was.  They can be pretty painful at times.  All anyone told me was that when it's the real thing you will know.  I guess when you don't know what to expect you just don't know.  You will know when it is labor and if you are nrevous you can always call your dr.  That is their Job...Good Luck

[misseltoe]

Those are BH contractions.  You are probably going to have a lot of them between now and when your baby is born.  It's your body practicing and preparing itself for labor. They are harmless, though sometimes quite annoying.  If you more than four per hour you need to drink a TON of water and lay down for two hours.  And do nothing.  I mean, nothing! If they don't go away during that time you should call your doctor.  Chances are it will be nothing, but it is better to be safe.
That's what my doctor told me to do because I started having them at 18 weeks.  Mine have been pretty bad and I've come close going to the hospital a couple of times.

Some women never have BH contractions.  I wish I were one of them!  Heh.  

There is really nothing to worry about.  You can mention it to your doctor at your next appointment, but they are harmless.

If you do start having something feel off or feel "different" then of course call your doctor right away.  That's always good advice.  Never go against your instincts.

[ni-ki]

Braxton Hicks and real contractions are similar except real contractions hurt bad (well mine did) but other then that i would say they are very similar. Braxtons are just a way for your body to get ready for the real deal =)

[pearl451]

Yes I think you both are having Braxton hicks. I was feeling sick when I started having contractions. My whole body ached, & I was feeling Flu like! The funny thing is when I started going into labor I had no contractions at all. I went to the Dr & he said I was 5cm!

[lib and jrs mom]

i am 30wk5d today and have been having braxton hicks for about 8-9wks.  i told my dr. and she wasn't concerned because she knew i knew the difference between them and real contractions.  real contractions hurt.  also, they are regular, and do not go away no matter what you do.  braxton hicks, on the other hand, at least mine, go away once i drink a glass of water and lie down on my side for awhile.  i am not allowed to go into labor so i know once they start to hurt it's time to go to the hospital.  sometimes my braxton hicks come about every 5 minutes for 30 minutes, but again they go away once i lie down for awhile.  it's more of a pressure and a nuisance than a pain.  when i had labor contractions they felt more like horrible menstrual cramps to me, i'm sure it will be different for others.  but that is the closest way for me to describe them.
good luck to you and your little one.

[DollChina]

Thanks, does it sound like I was having BH?  I am not even sure...

[CP in BR]

I'm glad you said that some women never have them b/c I'm either not having them or I have no idea that I am having them (will be 33wks tomorrow). Every now and then my tummy seems tight, but it's not usually an all-over tight, just in one spot; and the only reason I notice it is b/c i'm constantly touching my tummy. If it wasn't for that, i'd have no idea!! I just write it off to my little girl being in that tight spot.  That's not bh, right? If that IS them, at this rate, i'll have no idea when i'm having real contractions either!! I feel kinda pregnant-stupid - i know what things are supposed to feel like, etc., but have a hard time noticing them!

[BaileyK]

Hi I am new to this forum... I started to feel BH contractions at 15 weeks... by 16 weeks they came all the time... I went to the hospital at the begingin of my 17th week.. I couldn't take it any more they come sometimes 6- 10 in an hour and they never go away I drink tons of water and I am resting all the time.. Anyways at the hospital they told me that they can't do anything about them until I am at least 20 weeks even then they said they would rather wait until I am 24 weeks.. all they did was check to see if my cervix was closed which it was.. then i just had my doc appt yesterday I was 17w 5d I found out it was a boy! :) but my doctor just like the other one said that he cant do anything for me... I am so worried I find my self almost brought to tears everytime that i get one...:( just everyone make sure you don't get to many of them.. you might have an irreitable utuerus.. IT SUCKS!