Constant BH contrations?

This is so annoying! For the past 2 days, I'm having constant BH contractions. Some are lasting 5+ minutes, although they are 100% not painful. They do get tiresome though. I just had a US on Thursday and was reassured they were normal, but they've picked up since then.

Anyone else having constant BH contractions?

 

I've had them last for 16 hours at the longest. It freaks me out, too, but over the past 2 months I've gotten used to them as much as I can. I've only been able to time them one time!! Most of the time it's like a vice around my belly that just never lets go.

Just pay attention to frequency and intensity. I just make sure they don't increase in intensity each time. I've called several times and they keep telling me that when they are real, I'll be able to time them.

Honestly, if I called the doctor every time I had a long period of contractions, I'd be calling 5-6 times a week.

 

Yes! I have what's called an 'irritable uterus' which means that I have LOTS of contrax but not a lot of cervical change. Mine started at 17 weeks with this pregnancy. They are not necessarily painful, but sometimes uncomfortable...especially when they come every 2-3 minutes. B/C I'm so early, I've been to L&D two times the past 2 weeks to check my cervix, which remains long and closed. It's just VERY nerve-wracking. I'm on Procardia to help them (which does seem to help) and on modified 'rest', not exactly bedrest but not activity as normal at all.

You're fairly early, I'm glad they're monitoring you closely. It's sometimes tricky to tell when the IU turns to REAL labor. Drinking LOTS of water, avoiding stairs and a lot of walking, and trying keep myself 'regular' (no constipation) seems to help a lot!

GL!

 

I also get them everyday. They are usually at the end of the day, i think because that's when I finally sit down to relax. Some of them are very intense, I've even had to blow away a couple. I agree, make sure you are drinking a lot of water throughout the day, and lay down when possible, especially if they are really bad. The other day they kept coming one after another and only stopped when I made myself stop, lay down and relax. Overall I think the rule of thumb is more than 4 or 6 in an hour you should call, but I've always just kept the mentality of if they won't stop or become painful (like actually painful, not just uncomfortable) then I would call. Good luck, and hang in there!!!

 

So glad you posted this question!! I've been having them for about a week and I sometimes freak out when they happen more often!! I second the increasing H2O intake! I also notice them when I've been really busy/active! Sometimes I wonder how my cervix can stay closed with some of them but it does!!!

 

Thanks everyone. I did end up calling my Dr. just to err on the side of caution. Since I'd just had a US on Thursday, and wasn't in any pain, she recommended taking it easy for the weekend and seeing how things go. They do settle down with rest, so that's good.

 

Yes I've always gotten them early on in each pregnancy.

Don't really remember when they started with DD1 but with DD2 they started at 16 weeks. This time, with twins, they started at week 11.

I've been careful to have my doc monitor me (since now I'm carrying twins and that uncharted territory for me) but so far there are no changes in cervical length and it's also closed.

So I'm just trying to keep hydrated.

 

I had them throughout my pregnancy and my doctor said that they were normal. I was concerned, but the doctor kept telling me that it was normal. Drink lots of water!
Joan

 

I started having them very early in this pregnancy, I remember freaking out and heading to the emergency room at 16 weeks! Of course they stopped as soon as I was put in a bed :blush: Even while taking procardia for PTL they never stopped coming. One of my big concerns now is that I'm so used to them (even the ones that make me breathless) that I may ignore real labor and voila, toilet baby! LOL I know I know, too much T.V while on bedrest is messing with my brain :crazy:

 

Me too!! I'm so nervous that I'm scared that they've dilated me even more and I'll have a baby in the car, and the hospital is only 15 minutes away! Yes, TV and the internet can sometimes be your enemy.

 

My brax and Hicks started around 26 or 27 weeks. Had heaps of them and all day long. At 28 w 4 d was put on modified bed rest cause they were acting up and softening my cervix a bit. Resting def. helped. They totally settled down until recently. I was still getting about 4 or 5 an hour, which my dr. told me is my 'new baseline'.

Now getting them all the time and they are increasing in frequency and length, but still not really painful with the exception of maybe 2 or 3x per day. I'm 34/5 now and 1 cm dilated, so guess its my body getting ready.

So glad I took the dr. advice of bed rest as I feel its been a huge reason why I have gotten as far as I have.

What your experience is certainly common, esp with twin pregnancies. Just keep your eye on it and don't be afraid to ring your doctor or go to L&D if you feel its nessesary. Remember, you can never go back once real labor starts, so better to be safe then miss an opportunity to stop labor from progressing. So long as they are monitoring you, you'll be good!

 

I had IU with my ds and I'll tell you it WAS tricky to figure our what was 'real' labor. For me, I went into labor the day I went off bedrest and my terb pump at 36 weeks...I started having my reg BH contrax as I always had, but they just got stronger and more and more consistent...it took me a few hours to be convinced that it was REAL labor, but it was. Maybe b/c it was my first or b/c my cervix is the laziest arouond, but I had plenty of time to pack my hospital bag, eat a FILLING meal, and shower before going to the hospital...and even then I hadn't dilated that much, but I knew it was the real thing b/c those suckers hurt!

 

I had a lot around then too..my OB suggested the chewable calcium supplement, but after reading the ingredients, I decided to just make sure I got my 3 servings of milk/yogurt per day...and they quieted down after a week or so to only occasional.