Braxton Hicks

[Tasia32]

Hey Ladies I am now 25 weeks 6 days pregnant and I just saw a doctor on Monday that said I shouldn't be experiencing BH already but some of you women have had it and gave me the impression that it is normal and ok. What I would also like to know how long should they last because they seem to last awhile but aren't close together or anything? Is any of this normal.

[Anya1984]

Yeah, totally agree with everyone! mine started at week 18 and my doc just checks my cervix on every visit to make sure it is closed. Mine lasts for a few seconds and sometimes pretty uncomfortable..but as long as yours are irregular, you are fine!!

[jessbbg]

No problem, Tasia---that's what we're here for!  

I like to think of them as my uterus just showing off and flexing, like it thinks it's actually a bicep on a body-builder. ;-)

[Tasia32]

Thanks ladies you have really took a load off my mind. I didn't see my doctor on Monday because she is on vacation for 2 weeks. The doctor I did see was a stand in, maybe she was trying to freak me out. I did talk to another doctor and he said that I should be fine just like you ladies. Thank you so much!

[jessbbg]

Yeah, have to say i'm with Darkie---you're doctor doesn't sound like he's ever dealt with a pregnancy before, lol

With my son, I actually had one that lasted 37 minutes.  I was about 35 weeks along, big as a house, and had laid my seat back in the car while we drove home... and got stuck there.  lol i couldn't get out of the car, it was really funny.

i've been having them this time too, for as long as i've been able to feel my uterus.  sudden movement in the torso can bring them up (standing up really fast, or having to pee really bad and then getting to go---dropping your uterus down fast), i have one EVERY single solitary time i have an orgasm, and then just random out of nowhere times too.  Sometimes they are only a few seconds, sometimes they are partial, sometimes they last a few to several minutes.  It's just your body practicing.  No worries.  

I even had them regularly (for a set amt of time and at regular intervals) for about 2 weeks when i was around 32 wks pregnant i think it was.  The only problem is if they hurt, and get stronger (both layers of muscles involved---trust me, you won't mistake it for anything else), or there is bleeding, etc.  But just a painless (not necessarily comfortable tho, lol) contraction is nothing to be worried about.  

[ArmyPrincess819]

It depends mine can last anywhere from 1 minute to 5 minutes. If they keep coming and show know signs of stopping that is when you need to call your dr. Braxton hicks should come and go. I would ask your dr though. For me mine were constant and ended up in l and d and they said all was fine. I still had pelvic cramping and pain went to my dr with a few bh's here and there and my cervix changed alittle. You will know when you need to call! I hope this helps. I hope you feel better soon...

Hugs,
AP

[Darkestlight]

Your doctor is crazy, no offense lol. My high risk docs started asking me at 15wks if i was having BH. I wasn't then, but have since. It's not a big deal unless they become consistent.