Early/Braxton Hicks contractions

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to this forum, but glad I found it. It's really great to be able to ask questions of people who have experience with twin pregnancy.

My question is regarding early contractions. I've been having them since I was about 19 weeks and I'm currently 21w2d. I've been in to the doctor twice and both times everything was fine except for the contractions (cervix long and closed, babies heart rates good, blood pressure good, etc). I went in when I had more than 10 in an hour and a half, which was unusual, but I still have them up to three times an hour everyday. It's worrying me like crazy, has anyone else had braxton hicks contractions this frequently and early? Should they be subsiding or will I have to deal with this for the next four months?

The other strange thing is that before one comes I often get a hard ball, I think of muscle, about 3 inches to the left of my belly button. If I'm lying on my left side it feels like a golf ball has appeared under me. Has experienced this or know what it might be?

Thanks a lot for any help, it's much appreciated!

 

Hi and welcome to TS! Congrats on your twins.

For the BH, mine started at 18 weeks, and continued until I delivered at 37 weeks. I did however go into PTL at 24 weeks, so just be careful.

As for the hard ball, it could be a body part from one of the babies.

 

I started having BH at 15 weeks and had them very frequent, especially if I didn't drink enough water or was really active. My twins were mono-di so we did ultrasounds every 2 weeks and each time did a cervical length that never changed so they were always reassured. Also did that with my singleton and had to be induced so I basically have a irritable uterus and an iron-clad cervix (thankfully)! My regular OB gave me Procardia to use if they were >10/hr but I didn't take it as often as I should have since I am and l & d nurse and not a very good patient plus it made me feel like crap. However, my peri didn't believe in using Procardia so I was a little more comfortable not doing it all the time (however I would suggest to you to go in if they are that frequent as you never know and it is better to be safe). The ball you are feeling is probably your fundus (the top of your uterus) that gets firm with the contractions...unless you are feeling 2 different balls? Maybe bring it up with your Dr just to be sure. Make sure you drink a ton of water, only do activity as tolerated and if you start feeling frequent contractions, go to the bathroom (a full bladder can stimulate the uterus), lay down on your left side, drink another glass of water. Call your dr if they continue, get stronger, or if something just doesn't feel right (trust your gut). Good luck!!

 

Thanks for your replies. It's good to know others have experienced similar things.

shj52429, I only ever feel one ball, so maybe you're right about the fundus. I have a doctor's appointment in a week and a half and I'll be sure to ask then.

I've been drinking a ton of water (around 4L a day) and some days I'll go for several hours without a contraction, but somedays it's a constant 1-2 per hour for the entire day. What a frustrating and worrying experience!

 

I am a fan of the calcium/ magnesium supplement in the Dr. Luke book- it helped keep my uterus from contracting prematurely. It also helped with heartburn.

:youcandoit:

 

Hi 241 and :welcome: !

I think the pps said it all, but thought I would write something. 'When in doubt, check it out' is a theme I have gathered from all the supportive twin Moms and moms to-be. All of our bodies are different and SO MUCH is going on during twin pregnancy.

This is my first pregnancy and with each new phase and symptom I have had to go with my gut, like shj52429 suggested. Right around 22 weeks, it was as if the twins were growing A LOT faster than my uterus/body could accommodate...and I started to get super easily irritable uterus and BH contrax [I know this now, but did not at the time]. Loads of uterine tightening activity on a particular day, then an ease and then more ebb and flow.

At 25 weeks, after calling my OBs office, I made a trip to L&D which showed BH and irritable tightening...but no productive contractions/cervical changes. Up until then I truly thought that I was taking it easy...turns out I needed to pee much more often [20 minutes after going to the bathroom, a routine ultrasound showed a completely full bladder], stop walking the dog, stop lifting laundry baskets and groceries, sit with my legs up and lay on my side more often throughout the day...essentially, redefine 'taking it easy' for me.

Still at almost 28 weeks, even when I have faithfully been a slug, the babies activities at night are oftentimes enough to cause the uterine tightening...especially after, like Slipper wrote, my Baby A starts to push her head all around [her head is low, low, low down and just seems to easily spark tightening].

Also, early into the pregnancy, my MFM suggested taking a magnesium supplement [of course talk to your Doc about this one]...to ease leg cramping that was totally off the wall and out of control during the day and night...she said 'muscle is muscle' and that magnesium could only help, not hurt.

Take care and :hug: for your trying time! I'm sure more TS wise ladies will chime in with support and reassurances.

 

thanks for all your help. I've been trying to adapt to the idea of taking it easy all the time and I agree that it is not simple for a usually active person. I was used to riding my bike 20km to work and now I'm trying to limit myself to walks and yoga once a week. The trouble with sitting still so much is that it gives you way too much time to worry about things .

I've heard before about the Ca/Mg supplements. Do you know whether it is the magnesium alone that is effective or is it the combination? This is something I will definitely ask my doctor at my next appointment.

 

My BH started about 16 weeks and they did a urine test because sometimes an infection can cause contractions. They did find some yeast. It may be worth asking about. They also started me on progesterone injections. The injections help relax the uterus so you don't contract as much. They really help. I can tell when it has been a week as the BH start up more again. I also take a Cal/Mag/Zinc supplement to help keep PTL from happening and drink a ton of water and REST! I take a nap everyday while my 2 year old naps. Get and ask for help. We have older kids and my husband works from home which helps but it may be time to slow down a bit!! Good luck!

 

By the way 241 looks like we are due the same time!! What are your twins? We have a boy and a girl!

 

Hi mom0f6,

Congrats on your twins, it's nice to meet someone on the same schedule! It looks like ours will also be a boy and a girl, the boy is in position A with his head down low and the girl is on top.

 

Ours are the exact opposite!! Our girl is low and head down and our boy is in my lungs and transverse!! How fun to be at the same stage with someone!!

 

Have the docs ruled out "irritable uterus"? It's my understanding, as I was diagnosed with this around 18 weeks for non-stop round the clock contractions, that these pre-term labor contractions could be a sign of uterine irritability. If that's the case then it's very possible that they will continue all throughout your pregnancy and your OB or Peri might recommend that you take a medication, either magnesium, terbutaline or procardia, to help ease the discomfort and help slow down or stop the contracting of the uterus.

I myself was on Procardia twice a day for months because my heart rate would sky rocket everytime they would give me a shot of terbutaline. Some, most I think, handle the terbutaline very well.

Anyhow, something you might want to bring up to your OB or Peri, especially if they continue.

Good luck and congrats on your pregnancy!!!