Braxon Hicks and the Singleton Pregnancy

I've started feeling braxton hicks contractions. I'm only 14 weeks. The first was Sunday and it was after running up the stairs. Then last night and today I've had them again. Is this too soon? Should I call the doctor?

 

I've noticed them as early as 15 weeks. I think I would only be concerned if they keep going. You probably need to drink more water and/or maybe empty your bladder more frequently. I still got them regardless of what I did, but that's the common advice doctors usually give.

 

I had them early, too, but I don't remember the exact week. As long as they aren't consistent I'd say you're OK.

Oddly enough, I had BH every 2-3 mintues for several hours during the last 2 months of my pregnancy with Becca...almost every day. I called the mw, who encouraged me that they weren't real and that it was OK. It was OK. I chose to be induced at 40w4d. I wasn't the tiniest bit dilated. But, im' still confused as to what to do about these consistent contractions that I know aren't "real".

 

I never experienced them that early until this last pregnancy after the twins. I would say they started around 16 weeks. I read somewhere that braxton hicks help bring blood flow to the womb. I wish I could find where I read that. I drank lots of water, put up my feet when I could, and ended up carrying her to 39w6d with braxton hicks happening daily after they started up. You should be fine, but I would mention it to your Dr. next appointment.

 

I've had BH ctx like this in all of my pregnancies. They definitely don't follow the textbook description, and actually fell under the category of what my ob/gyn recommended for calling in to the office over. But honestly, my instinct always told me that they were not the real deal, and so I've never called even when they exceed 5 or 6 an hour. I think I just have an irritable uterus that likes to contract. My last labor which was natural was very, very long with very non-textbook like contraction patterns. They never fell into a regular pattern where you could say they were coming consistently every so many minutes. They were fairly erratic even up until the pushing phase.

 

I had them earlier and earlier with each pregnancy, and a lot earlier after twins. Personally, I think I'm more aware of what's going on in my body, but also older, and all "stretched out" so that it doesn't take as much to set them off. Strenuous exercise of any kind and doing much bending at all, were the things that usually got the BH going the most.