What is all this pressure?

[mj_mommy_manda]

So for pretty much the last week like at least 4 times a day I just feel really strong pressure either on my right or left side of my abdomen.  It doesn't hurt but it just feels like someones hand pushing down on me, from the inside.  Im only about 19 weeks so I dont think the baby is big enough for this yet.. does anyone know whats going on?

[Nickey1]

I have NO clue, but I have the same thing as well.  My friend gave birth about a year ago, and said she had the same issue......yesterday it was the worse for me.  Like you said, it doesn't hurt (me either) but it's HEAVY pressure.........and I'm 21 weeks

[mj_mommy_manda]

I would like to think its the baby.. but if it is im going to have one monsterous baby!! lol its like the size of my whole hand and it goes to about even with my belly button and i dont think my uterus is even to my belly button yet! lol its weird.. and its really hard to explain.. cuz sometimes for me it goes away and then comes back and im like woah! lol whats going on in there? lol

[Riot_Queen]

I asked the same  question at my 20 week mark.
The only thing I could describe them were pressure... but it's actually your uterus contracting.
They're practice contractions called "Braxton Hicks" contractions.

That's just your uterus practicing for the big day.

I get them about 5 times a day now and sometimes they're soo strong they take my breath away and I can't even continue what I was doing at the moment!

But they're completely harmless to the baby and to you.
Don't worry, this doesn't mean your baby is gunna come premature... these will last all the way up till your due date off n on.

Hope this helps.

[mj_mommy_manda]

So they are contractions but.. not like actual painful labor contractions? lol too bad labor contractions dont feel like this, I would get through in a breeze!

[whitlack]

I think it sounds like braxton hicks too but I haven't had any of those nor with my last pregnancy.

[mj_mommy_manda]

I asked my mom about it and she said that you dont have braxton hicks until your 8th month.  But I read online that you have them starting at 6 weeks and you just dont notice them until about 20 weeks.  IDK.. could it maybe just be the baby moving? I was really small before my pregnany started.. so Idk if maybe the baby is already big enough to rub the walls of my uterus when it moves.  I was only about 91 pounds.

[Lexima]

I've been having this feeling since like 16 weeks, maybe because I'm carrying twins.  They only last half a min or so, but it feels like someone is blowing up a balloon from inside you but there is not enough room and I just feel this preasure.  Same as mj_mommy_manda I read about BHs.  Then at my last appt I tried to explain this to my OB, he didn't seem concerned at all said it's normal and just blew it off.  

[mj_mommy_manda]

well Im glad Im not the only one.. lol it just scared me when they said they were braxton hicks because i get them alot after i eat.. especially if i eat alot.. and like yesterday i got about 3 in a row.. and i read online that you shouldnt get braxton hicks frequently and if you do feel them frequently you should go to your doctor.