Braxton Hicks

[loismwallace]

I've started getting what I believe to be Braxton Hicks over the last few days. Would you say 21 wks is accurate for them to start? About 2-3 times a day I feel this tightening in my abdomen. I don't feel it with my hand on my stomach, I just feel it from the inside. Shortly after she'll give me one swift kick. I've had three kids already, but I don't remember when they started with them.

When did you first feel them?

[JustMe0925]

I have been getting them since I was 14 weeks.  I don't know if size matters, but I was 5'3 at 105 lbs so maybe I felt them sooner than most..I don't know.  I get them  a few times a day and I am 22 weeks yesterday.  Hope that helped

[chantal21]

I was 21 weeks when I first noticed a braxton hicks.  I wouldn't have known unless my hand was on my belly. I have only gotten them a couple of times since then (at least that I know of) and I am just about 28 weeks now.  This is my first...not exactly sure what they should feel like, but they didn't hurt at all.

[luvmybabes]

I started braxton hicks at 20 weeks. They didn't stop until I gave birth to a healthy baby boy at 37weeks.

[miko_latte]

Okay, can somebody pleeeease explain to me what braxton hicks is??? I've read many many posts about them, and still have no clue.  What does it feel like?? And is it good or bad...sorry but there's still so much I gotta learn.

[luvmybabes]

Braxton Hicks Contrations are contrations that don't do anything to change your cervix. They usually don't hurt you just get a tightening in your belly. You don't get them regularly either.

[JustMe0925]

They feel like your lower abdomen is balling up (or tightening).  Not painful.  I know when I'm getting them now because I get a crampy like discomfort, but not painful.  They only last a few seconds to a minute or two.  If you change positions it will help them to ease off...

[loismwallace]

It's practice contractions that gets your body ready for the real thing. They don't really hurt as much as they are uncomfortable. I've just started getting them "I think". It feels like she's stretching out my tummy. Juding by the other ladies comments, I am pretty sure that's what's going on with me now.

[miko_latte]

hmmm...now I'm gonna be wondering...when I feel my baby move it kinda hurts it feels like something real tight on lower stomach, but could it just mean the baby is balling up? I read that like real contractions they come and go on a certain timeframe...so I'm guessing what I'm feeling is just the baby balling up right?

[loismwallace]

Thank you! That was very informative information. It clears it up for me. With that I can say I'm definately feeling BH....

[ExpectingaRedhead]

I started getting them around 17 or 18 weeks, possibly earlier. I am 32 weeks now and still getting them. They are supposed to be random, you shouldn't be able to time them or you may have to get checked out at the doctor. My doc told me if I have more than 5 in one hour to come in and make sure everything is okay.

Now that I am 32 weeks, when I get a BH contraction I can feel exactly where my uterus is because it gets so hard.