are tightenings the same thing as braxton hicks?

[evthing4reason]

My belly tightens so many times a day i couldn't count. and with me being on bedrest, whenever i get up my uterus is tight almost the whole time i am up.

[evthing4reason]

I am getting them all the time. and last night i was feeling some pressure and today i feel like menstural cramps but am also consitpated so i was hoping that was why i was feeling like that.

[sweetangel7]

Sounds like it to me =)

[kikicoates78]

Yep, sounds like Bh to me as well, just keep it easy, ecspecially if you are already on bedrest!  When you start felling pain inyour lower back or abdomen with the tightening most likely they are turning real! Good luck to you!

[ovaz129]

Sounds like BH to me :)  If what you feel begins to feel painful, that is different.  So, if the "practice contractions" (Braxton Hicks) begin to feel like sharp pains or if you begin to feel them painfully in your lower back, it would be worth it to call your doctor and ask them if it is anything other than BH.  

Hope that helps... that is the "word of advice" I was given by my OB in early January when I was having painful contractions, which turned out to be real contractions... not BH.  Looks like our bodies are preparing for the big day :)

[evthing4reason]

?

[Michele, Katy, TX]

Well, it's hard to answer for sure, but my guess would be yes, that it is Braxton Hicks.  That is how contractions feel, so I would say yes.