labor question

Question

Do you feel the baby move when your having labor contractions?  I am trying to figure out the difference between real labor and braxton hicks._

JourneyJoJo · Accepted Answer

I was induced in my first pregnancy and when the contractions came, there was no mistake that they were contractions.  Contractions come at regular intervals and last a certain amount of time and then they're done until the cycle repeats.  That was the weirdest thing for me and for my husband too.  One minute I was moaning and groaning and could barely talk, the next I was fine and chit chatting and forgot about the contraction until the next one came and then they kept getting more & more painful.  Then my water broke...

Here's what I found online:

Braxton Hicks contractions: 
•are infrequent, usually happening no more than once or twice an hour, a few times a day
•often stop if you change activity, so, walk around if you've been sitting, and vice versa
•are usually irregular, and if they are regular they only stay that way for a short spell (McCormick 2009:466)
•do not last long, usually less than a minute (McCormick 2009:466)
•continue to be unpredictable and non-rhythmic
•do not increase in intensity
(Cheng and Caughey 2009)

Compared to Braxton Hicks contractions, labour contractions are usually: 
•noticeably longer
•more regular
•more frequent
•more painful
•keep on going, increasing in frequency, duration, and intensity as time goes on

Hope that helps.

coffeebuzzedliz · Answer

that is interesting that I don't feel baby move and both of you do. I just assumed that my muscles were so tight she didn't have room or it was too tight for her to move. I also know that in the last week her movements are definatly slowing down. I feel movements throughout the day but not nearly close to how often I was feeling them before. Dr. said she looks big and I really think she is running out of room, I am HUGE at this point but she is taking over every inch of space. 
I don't think I am going into labor?? only symptoms I have had are braxton hicks, fatigue and I think I lost some of my mucus plug a couple of days ago. I wouldn't be sad if she showed up soon!! Dr. said she looks really good!!

keostrand · Answer

I have been having a lot of Braxton hicks the last couple days, I pretty much always feel baby move when I get them my mom thinks it's cuz the contractions squish her so she starts wiggling (:

mommyinapril202012 · Answer

I feel the little guy do some sort of rolling motion during the braxton Hicks and that's the part that hurts.  Wonder if your going into labor?

coffeebuzzedliz · Answer

I have been getting a lot of Braxton hicks over the last 2 days and I noticed that I don't feel baby moving during these. My stomach muscles are just so hard and firm during them that I imagine the baby couldn't move much even if she wanted to.

mommyinapril202012 · Answer

Thank you so much for your input

coffeebuzzedliz · Answer

When I had contractions I was in pain. With Braxton hicks I get tightness and it is even uncomfortable at times but not painful.

mum2beagain · Answer

You can feel baby move during both if baby is moving around.

labor question

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