To those of you who had/have braxton hicks contractions..please help!

Hey ladies. Just need some advice....I think I have been having braxton hicks contractions lately and need to know a couple of things. First of all, my OB told me that BH contrations would not be painful however these "cramps" that I am having are very painful and take my breath away and I have to actually stop what I am doing and take a deep breath through them. Is that normal? I can feel my lower abdomen tighten up while I am having the pain and then it relaxes for a bit. They usually come every 10 minutes or so (when I get them). They started on Sunday and were pretty bad then and then there was nothing but again this morning they were really painful. I guess I just need some advice on what I should do or if this is normal. I don't remember having these with Alex.

Thanks Ladies.

Danielle

[Waiting4myprincess]

oooooppsss, Sorry ladies...I forgot to mention that I am 31 weeks along today. (that is kind of important...lol!)

[chinesebones]

My BHs weren't painful but they were definitely intense: I'd have to stop what I was doing until they passed.  Drink LOTS of water and see if that helps.  If not, let your OB know just in case.

[kellym]

I swear, I don't remember them like that. I thought if you lose your breath that was a real labor pain?, sorry I'm not much help :(

[kennedydp5]

i didn't have painful ones w/ my first 2 but did w/ my 3rd.  they were painful and i had a lot of them although they weren't 10 minutes apart.  they said that they were still the BH concratctions b/c it was only my lower abdomen tightening and not my whole stomach.  but you can always go to L&D and be hooked up to a monitor to be checked.

[mami1323]

Braxton Hicks do take your breath away.  It's a tightening around your tummy.  It does sound to me like that's what you are having.  It is very normal, it's just your body's way of preparing for birth.

[Liza55]

At 34 weeks, having the same symptoms of super tightening and lingering cramping, I was advised to stop in the doctor's office. Braxton's. I also thought they weren't supposed to hurt. MD says uterus contracts about 120 times a day, don't feel them all, but yes, it is preparing for birth. Labor is actually very predictable kind of cramping ( I knew this!) that is steady and gets increasingly more painful, w/ less time in between , and can not be "relieved" w/ putting your feet up or resting, etc. Anyway, even now, I get the BH that are tight, sometimes painful, but assume it's just that...

[babyscience]

I am 31 wks and I have had BH for the past two weeks, but mine are not painful.  My whole stomach tightens up and it is very uncomfortable but not painful.  When it does that I can feel my baby's bottom and legs very well, it wraps around him like saran wrap.  I would bring it up to your Dr the next visit.  I am sure t is normal.

[Nicole624]

My BH were not painful but were uncomfrortable. If you have to stop b/c they are so painful go in and get checked. They will hook you up to the moniter to see if they are the real thing. Good luck!

[Kim1989]

i dont kno much about contractions

when people get them, does that always mean your going to go into labor?
when do women get them usually? what around 30 weeks or something?