Can someone tell me what 'braxton hicks' are, what they feel like?

Can someone tell me what 'braxton hicks' are, what they feel like And what do REAL contractions feel like?

Almost 18 weeks, the other day my lower stomach felt all tight, but constantly... my whole lower stomach felt sore, a couple times an hour, but this was following on eating something that hurt my stomach and gave me diahreah, so I don't know if it was related to my instestinal problems or not... anyway sorry for the ramble, but can someone tell me what they felt like?

Thanks!

 

For me braxton hicks were a simple tightening of the belly. They would last about 20-30 seconds and be gone. Sometimes I thought they were, well I wouldn't say painful but uncomfortable. I had a very irritable uterus with all my pgs and would get them easily 10x/hour every day. I don't know when they ever changed into real contrax but I can just say that all of a sudden it starts to feel very different and I felt the pressure/pain lower when it was the real thing. My midwife told me that whenever I went from a laying down to sitting up position I was getting braxton hicks so I knew what they felt like. Don't know if thats true for everyone???

 

I was told if it's a contraction my belly would feel as hard as my forehead. Also when you change positions like pp said you could get contractions because the uterus is a muscle and it will sometimes have to flex. So like when you roll over in bed or go from laying to standing, that kind of thing, you may tighten up. I was also told that after you empty your bladder you can get a contraction because the uterus has to readjust itself. I find it very hard to tell if I'm having a contraction or not. All last weekend I thought I was having all sorts of contractions all day and ended up going to the hospital to be evaluated, only to find out what I was feeling probably wasn't contractions at all. also, when I'm standing my belly feels harder than when I'm laying or sitting, but that's just from the weight it has to carry.

Ask your dr, and as many people as you can about how they feel. I had to do that until someone finally described them in a way that made scene to me.

I've heard BH contractions called practice contractions, and that they're pretty much harmless, but I'd still talk to you dr about it because I think there are times when they're not so harmless and your dr will be able to tell you when you should worry. I would think 18 wks is a bit early to be having contractions, but I'm new at this so too so don't take my word for it. :unknw:

 

I also had an irritable uterus and had BH ALOT with the twins, starting right around where you are. In my case - yes diarrhea or anything not usual would cause me to have BH even not drinking enough water - water would most always calm it down. If you think you are having contractions - BH or real, you need to call your dr.. not to scare you but some women cannot tell the difference between BH and the real thing. chances are if you relax , drink water BH will go away
I know I tell you guys to call the dr alot - but when it comes to your health and that of your sweet unborn babies, it is always better safe than sorry!!

 

Thanks! I appreciate it! I have some idea now, the weird feeling went away, but if it happens again I'll definitely call!

 

braxton hicks are contractions- some doctors don't like that terminology since the ONLY thing that separates BH from "real" contractions is that contractions change your cervix. But BH can be real contractions if they happen to often. My doctor always said to go in if I had more than 4-6 an hour.

 

This post is chock full of TMI.

Braxton Hicks, to me, felt a bit uncomfortable but my belly would suddenly get hard for a few seconds then release. Real contractions feel like gas pains, menstrual cramps or like you have to go poop. The way you'll know they are contractions is that you may pass gas or poop, but after a while you'll continue feeling like you still have to more urgently and nothing will be coming out. Obviously menstrual cramps would be out of place while pregnant. (Although round ligament pain can sometimes feel like cramps in the early stages of pregnancy.) The good news is that most women get to the hospital in time to have their baby(ies). But if you're not very far along it's good to get a feel for you body and start to be aware.

 

QUOTE(Her Royal Jennyness @ Jun 29 2008, 02:58 PM) [snapback]851927[/snapback]
This post is chock full of TMI.

Braxton Hicks, to me, felt a bit uncomfortable but my belly would suddenly get hard for a few seconds then release. Real contractions feel like gas pains, menstrual cramps or like you have to go poop. The way you'll know they are contractions is that you may pass gas or poop, but after a while you'll continue feeling like you still have to more urgently and nothing will be coming out. Obviously menstrual cramps would be out of place while pregnant. (Although round ligament pain can sometimes feel like cramps in the early stages of pregnancy.) The good news is that most women get to the hospital in time to have their baby(ies). But if you're not very far along it's good to get a feel for you body and start to be aware.


That was very informative and clear. I have been having contractions, ended up in L/D. But I have been very confused about BH and regular contractions.
Thanks

 

Count me part of the "irritable uterus" ladies. I get an average of 3-4 per hour when resting, sometimes I get just 1-2 but that's rare. I had to go to L&D last night because I was getting 8/hour. I'm only talking about contractions lasting longer than 35 seconds. I don't count short contractions or even find them remarkable.

My doctor doesn't really want me calling them BH contractions. As the previous posters have explained, there are harmless contractions and then there are contractions that can cause cervical changes. Not all contractions that can cause cervical changes are labor contractions, either. If you continue to get frequent contractions, your doctor may want to coach you about how to tell the difference.

I'm on preterm labor watch with my clinic. This means that I am supposed to do contraction counts for 2 hours per day (one in the morning, one in the evening). Every Monday morning a nurse calls to get my counts for the week. To do the contraction counts, I'm supposed to palpate my uterus (lie down and feel for the edges of my uterus, then feel for the tightening of a contraction), then only count the contractions that last longer than 35 seconds. Most of my contractions are now lasting to about 2 minutes. When I get a lot of them per hour I feel very sore in my midsection.

The warning signs, I was told, are: more than 6/hour (of 35+second ones) that don't decrease after emptying my bladder and drinking lots of water, contractions that cause menstrual-like cramps or lower back pain, and frequent contractions that don't get better or decrease after resting. Even if you get 6/hour and cramping or back pain, there still might be nothing wrong. You may have had too active a day (that was my day yesterday, and my cause), was dehydrated, or had too full of a bladder. Even so, it's best to get it checked because otherwise there is no way of telling if the contractions are affecting your cervix and your doctor (or L&D) can help you if you catch it early.