Help please!! Braxton hicks or not??

[Katy91]

I'm 21 weeks and this week started to have pains that sound a bit like braxton hicks contractions. But how do you know for sure? All the stuff you read says they are painless, but this actually hurts in my hip and abdomen - kind of like cramp pain. I called my doctor and am waiting for him to call back - please help!

[deepa100]

Hi there,
I am 37 wks and never did figure out what braxton hicks contractions were. You will go thr' some minor pains and aches due to changes in your uterus. All I know is- if you are going into labor, tightening of uterus is followed by cramping all over the uterus and the frequency of this type of movement increases as time passes. This is what my doc told me.

Hope this helps.

[Katy91]

Thanks - that's really helpful. I'm wondering now if it's ligamant pain?

[deepa100]

When I got quick, sharp and stabbing pain on my right side during sudden movements like during sleep, I was told it was round ligament pain. But I have had minor pains and aches on the left side too some times.

By all means, contact your nurse/doctor. There is no such thing a dumb Q when it comes to your pregnancy. My experience has been though is that unless the pain is constant and getting worse (which wasn't true in my case. Most of these pains did subcede in a few min. or hrs.) the nurse usually would not do anything about it.

[kholtan]

What I have experienced is a sharp tightening of my uterus that starts at the top and ends at the cervix. It makes my abdoman hard as a rock and will last for 10-60 seconds. They are only slightly uncomfortable and I have anywhere from 3-15 an hour depending on my activity level. My OB informed me that they are Braxton Hicks but if they get stronger with a more consistant pattern that starts to cause my cervix to change, then we have full blown contractions.

I have had these since about 3.5 months and my OB has watched me a bit closer and he ran some extra tests here and there to make sure I wasn't dialating.

That is my experience. I hope it can help you. Take care and I hope all is well.
Kimberly