Can Braxton Hicks cause preterm labor?

Hi All,
Am wondering if braxton hicks can cause pre term labor? I do get
contractions - but it merely a tightening of the belly- no other pain,
back pain, discharge,etc. So I assume these are Braxton Hicks as opposed
to real contractions? However, my cervix has shortened (even after my
cerclage) and there is some slight funneling. I assume this is from the
contractions??? Would love any input about this.
Many thanks,
Carrie

 

My cervix (with the twins) was down to 2.5 cm at my 20 week apt, but I didn't start with the BH until about week 25. At week 27 I was 1 cm dilated...but didn't really have any consistent BH contrax until 30 weeks when I was admitted for PTL for almost 4 weeks.

Most of the time BH are harmless, but when they start changing the cervix and causing dilation is when there is cause for concern. So, BH don't necessarily mean that it's PTL, but it can certainly change into that.

 

If BH are changing your cervix, it is definitely cause for alarm. I had a cerclage and I still had contractions that shortened and funneled my cervix despite the cerclage.

Does your doctor have you on any kind of medication to relax your uterus/calm the contractions? I was on Procardia at your point in the pregnancy and it helped me a lot. Also, are you on bedrest? How short is your cervix? Mine was around 1cm (with the cerclage) from 22 weeks on, but I was on very strict bedrest, including hospital bedrest from 24-28 weeks.

 

I had TONS of BH contractions, but they didn't affect my cervix, so I don't think it was considered PTL. But they did give me terbutaline pills to take from 26-36 weeks ... i was told to stop them at 36 weeks .. .and then the contractions picked up ... and I delivered at 36w3ds.

Talk to your doc about maybe getting meds to slow down the BH.

Good luck!

 

My understanding (though someone correct me if I'm wrong) is that the definition of BH contractions is that they don't affect the cervix. If you are having contractions that don't do anything, they are BH -- if they are doing something, they are PTL.

So, an increase in contractions (either number or strength) can be a warning sign at any time. On the other hand, many people (including me) have absolutely tons of BH contractions in the last weeks of pregnancy, with no affect on the cervix whatever. The only way to be sure is to have your OB check you out. If you've had a cerclage, your OB must think there is some reason to be cautious -- he/she might want to do regular cervix checks to make sure the funneling isn't getting any worse. HTH!

 

Previous post (Minette) is right --by definition Braxton Hicks do not change the cervix, so if you are having contractions (whether they hurt or not) that are changing the cervix they are PTL. Sometimes it is quite difficult for women to tell the difference (BH can be very similar in feel to PTL).

 

I know I'm a few days slow on this one, but I also have had experience with early dilation and totally painless contrax that I thought were braxton-hicks. This is long, but it may offer you some encouragement.

During my first pregnancy, I started having what I thought were braxton-hicks around 18 weeks. I reported them to my doc, and I guess they didn't see any changes in my cervix during my 20 week u/s because nobody ever said anything about them. At 35 weeks, I was dilated 3 cm and having the painless contrax off and on daily still. (I had at least one a day, I'd guess, during that pregnancy. Sometimes noticed them more in the evening.) The doc who checked my cervix seemed surprised that first time mom would've dilated that much, and he said that he thought I would go into labor anytime. But I didn't. At 39 weeks, I thought my water was leaking, so I went to the hospital by my doc's instructions. My water WAS NOT leaking, but I was walking around 6 cm dilated with NO SIGN of PAINFUL active labor. Still just having painless contrax. (Of course, they made me stay and induced labor. Another story there, but won't go there.)

During my second pregnancy, I started noticing the once-again PAINLESS contrax around 16 weeks. I was hiking, sleeping on the ground and all that during the hot Summer too which couldn't have helped my situation. At 21 weeks, I had the u/s and the report showed that my cervix was shortenend a little, but not cause for alarm as it was still in a normal range. During an appointment at 24 weeks, I told my doc about my painless contrax just to be on the safeside. As she was listening for the baby's heartrate, she asked me, "Are you having a contraction?" I told her my belly was tightening but it was painless. She wanted to check my cervix. I was dilated 1 cm, and she sent me right away to the hospital for preterm labor treatment, the whole works. I was put on strict bedrest from then on to 36 weeks, given terbutaline and Procardia. (One of the docs in my practice thought these drugs ineffective.) At 32 weeks, I was dilated 2 cm. My painless contrax continued on and off during that time on bedrest. At 37 weeks, I was 5 cm, and the docs were wanting to induce me at 38 weeks. I refused. I got off bedrest at 36 weeks, gardened and watched a toddler and was very active. . . I went into labor naturally as I really wanted to. My second child was born at 39w6d, one day before his due date) after all that. . . weighing 9 lbs. 15 oz. and he came in less than an hour and half.

My third pregnancy was full of anxiety as I began to think my cervix was problematic. We didn't do a cerclage, and things looked within normal range (although on the shorter side) at 20 weeks. I took it very easy with my third pregnancy, and I had no problems thankfully. I had the same painless contractions too. No bedrest. I was dilated 5 cm once again at 37 weeks. And I had another precipitous labor after refusing an induction (which was fine by me, haha!) Number 3 came 3 days after her due date and weighed 7 lbs. 10 oz.

SO. . . I'd follow my docs orders again for bedrest although I'd ask for it not to be as strict. I'd take the drugs again just to be on the safe side. But I am pretty certain that some women just dilate over a long period time. I've heard this is not unusual for repeat mommies. I know this is long, but I hope it gives you some encouragement and another perspective. After my second pregnancy, I struggled with thoughts that I was never going to be able to carry babies healthy to term. Who knows, this could just be your body's way of handling pregnancy. . . Not everybody, as you can see, follows the "textbook" of pregnancy!

 

My peri's own opinion was that a contraction is a contraction. None of my contractions were painful until the day I delivered, but before I hit 26 weeks I was 100% effaced and 3-4 cm and Ethan was at +1 station. It took 56 days of mag & hospital bedrest to keep my guys in...and I was never even uncomfortable with my contractions, let alone in pain. If you're having more contractions than your doctor is comfy with, especially given your challenges already, then I'd call the doc. I'm sure you knew that though Good luck!