Braxton Hicks Contractions?

kbarry · Post by **kbarry** » Mon May 14, 2007 12:36 pm

Hi,
Has anyone experienced Braxton-Hicks Contractions yet? I'm 16 weeks pregnant and have recently started getting an overall tightening of my uterus a few times a day. It gets really hard and feels like a ball for about 30-45 seconds, then goes away. It doesn't hurt -just feels really tight.

It seems early to me for Braxton Hicks though. Anyone else experiencing this?
Thanks!
Karen

kholtan · Post by **kholtan** » Mon May 14, 2007 1:52 pm

Me too~ Although I didn't know what it was. That's kind of scary??? Is that normal?

kbarry · Post by **kbarry** » Mon May 14, 2007 2:11 pm

I think that's what it is - everything I read says you normally don't feel them til 20 weeks if you are a first timer (but they actually start much earlier). I started feeling this at 15 weeks.

I'm going to call the doctor just to confirm this afternoon - have a busy morning, but I will post an answer later

Karen

kbarry · Post by **kbarry** » Mon May 14, 2007 9:53 pm

I finally got an answer from my dr. Since it is so early in the pregnancy (16 weeks), they want to rule out other things first. They think it could be a urinary tract infection and think I may deydrate a bit when I sleep, causing the contractions. They've also ordered a special ultrasound to measure my cervical length. Once they get the results, they'll be better prepared to determine if it is just Braxton Hicks. I'm flying to Florida next week so they want to make sure they know what it is before I get on a plane.

Xrayem · Post by **Xrayem** » Tue May 15, 2007 2:41 am

Hi guys,

I started getting Braxton Hicks at 16 weeks too, and according to my preg books, it can be quite normal to feel them this early on. I felt them when I had over done it and then they stopped altogether. I have started getting them again with a vengence in the last week, so now I know that they are Braxton Hicks. They aren't painful yet but definately strong and becomming more regular.

Good luck girls,

Em

kholtan · Post by **kholtan** » Tue May 15, 2007 4:18 am

I am so glad that you posted this! I immediately called my OB and he got me right in today. They too, ruled out uninary tract infection right away and did an u/s to measure my cervical length. In my case they ARE contactions and I have 12-20 of them a day which is not great. My cervical length is still what it measured last u/s so they are super happy with that but they flat out said that although they are common, this is very early to feel them and I will need to be far more cautious and be certain I am getting enough fluids. Also, I was told to limit my physical activity as soon as I feel one and if I have quite a few in arow to head home and rest.

With twins I just thought this was the normal aches and pains of being pregnant. I have never had a single menstral cramp and had absolutely nothing to guage this on. I'm so grateful you said something!!! I feel so stupid for not knowing because I really do think I am very in tune with my own body but I have never been pg this far before or with twins.

The good news of today is we found out what we are having since I had two u/s's. Drum role please. . . . .. . .. . . .one of each!!!!!! We are stoked beyond words! Super happy about that and we feel blessed a million times over!!!!

Hope everyone is doing well and your tests come back well Kbarry!!!
Hugs and lots of belly rubs~
Kimberly

kbarry · Post by **kbarry** » Tue May 15, 2007 1:23 pm

Good, glad my post helped you, Kimberly! And even better to know everything seems to be fine with you - just early for the Braxton Hicks. Congrats on one of each - you can get better than that!!!

You are lucky they would do the u/s in your dr's office. I'm going to the office in a little while to give urine for the UTI test. After calling 5 different radiologists this morning, I finally found one that would take me today (but I have to drive nearly an hour to get there). I didn't want to wait till the end of the week.

I haven't had a full blown contraction since yesterday morning, but I think I've had smaller ones where only part of the uterus contracts. They have me drinking fluids practically all day - I drank a 20 oz bottle during the night - whenever I woke up to pee, I drank. Endless cycle - but maybe it is helping. Who knows.

I hope my news is good like yours. Take it easy, like the dr's said. I plan to.
Karen

kholtan · Post by **kholtan** » Tue May 15, 2007 2:42 pm

Good luck Karen! I should follow your lead with the fluids! I have tried to drink more but I know I could be doing even better.
Report back asap with your good news. Take care!
Kimberly

Ps. Thanks again for your post. It's a great reminder of why I appreciate this forum so much! With no references to being pg before it's great to know what to look for!

Zed2003 · Post by **Zed2003** » Tue May 15, 2007 3:26 pm

Hi there,

Just wanted to wish you all the very best...

As for BH - with my first son, I felt them very early, about 20 weeks I think, maybe slightly earlier. They were just like small tightenings and didn't seem to cause any worry. I had my son at 33 weeks...

With my last son, I felt them musch earlier - about 15/16 weeks. Around 26 weeks, I got them very strongly - a mojor concern to me at the time as they really did feel like strong contractions and I had to stop whatever I was doing. This episode lasted a couple of weeks then tailed off. A month later, it happened again... Everything was fine and I had my son at 38 weeks....

A big plus is apparently they say labour is often easier if you've had BH as the body is preparing

Worked for me - both my labours were fantastic and quick!!!

Take care all
Zoe

kholtan · Post by **kholtan** » Wed May 16, 2007 12:31 am

Zoe~ Your a woman who give great hope!!! With all my BH I hope they will walk out of the womb with no problems at just the right time!

Thanks for the encouragement!

Zed2003 · Post by **Zed2003** » Wed May 16, 2007 5:57 pm

Kholtan,

That's the right attitude! LOL. You go girl! Two or three pushes for me the second time and there he was... Wishing it's the same for you...

Oh, I drank raspberry leaf tea the second time too... ( didn't get a chance the first time!! LOL)

Take care
Zoe

kbarry · Post by **kbarry** » Fri May 18, 2007 2:26 pm

Hi,

Just wanted to give an update. No UTI and the u/s showed that my cervix is fine - all good news.

So now for the bad news - they did find I have placenta previa (low lying placenta). The doctor said the placenta could still move up as the uterus stretches, but to be honest, I'm terrified. I'm not on bed rest or anything at this point - just have a few extra restrictions.

Karen

Fed7281 · Post by **Fed7281** » Fri May 18, 2007 2:32 pm

Hi Karen,

I was told the same thing about my placenta when I went for my level 2 ultrasound on 5/8/07. I was told just to take it easy, no heavy lifting, no over exercising and no sex (no problem LOL). This was a high risk OB doctor that did my US because of twins I am going to be seeing both my OB and this guy as well. He said that this low lying placenta is common in twin pregnancy especially early on and most of the time it does rise. Try not to worry too much ( easier said than done) I am just keep thinking that it will rise for me and everything will be fine and I am sure that it will be the same for you.

Erin

kbarry · Post by **kbarry** » Fri May 18, 2007 2:41 pm

Thank you so much for your message, Erin! You sound calm about it so that makes me feel a bit better.

So you've been doing fine with it with just those minor restrictions (I have the same restrictions)? I was so upset yesterday when he told me. My 20w u/s is June 11 so I guess I'll get a progress update then.

I will just keep good thoughts that both of our placentas rise

Karen

hhb · Post by **hhb** » Mon May 21, 2007 4:30 pm

I am soooo happy to read your posts about BH contractions. I'm having twins and I turned 14 weeks on Saturday and that night I actually felt a tightening but didn't think much of it. It happened again last night (both times I was relaxing) and it dawned on me that it could be BH contractions. I was unable to find a lot of info for them for this early on in pregnancy, except that "cervical changes" can be in relation to BH contractions and that got me a little nervous, so you girls have helped set my mind at ease. I'm going to call my Ob this afternoon and maybe they'll get me in for another u/s (which is always so reassuring - I've had bleeding on and off since 6-7 weeks and with each u/s everthing has looked normal). This is my 4th pregnancy (I've only had one full-term) and have never had BH with any of them, so this is new to me.

Love you girls for being there and being so honest and willing to share! The support, even if you don't know who you've helped, is amazing.

-Heidi

Braxton Hicks Contractions?

Braxton Hicks Contractions?

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