Contractions

LGW2015

Hi all!

Sorry for the speshul snowflake post. I've been having (what I assume are) contractions since 13 weeks. I'm 15+5 today. I get a tightening sensation in my lower abdomen and one part, usually on my right side, gets super hard like a rock for about 30 seconds or so. This happened a few times a week, but last week I was getting them more frequent 1-2 a day. I thought it was Braxton Hicks and when I googled it I read that it can happen as early as beginning of second tri although it's unusual for a FTM to feel them, especially so early. I finally called the dr office on Friday and the nurse scared me because she said it was way too early for BH and asked if I was bleeding (I'm not). She then said dehydration can cause contractions so to make sure I drink 8 glasses of water a day.

Long story short, I've been really good at drinking water since Friday but this morning I had several contractions (3+) within an hour which scared me half to death. My dr appt was for this Friday but I called and they're seeing me at 2:30pm today.

I haven't seen anyone else post about BH or any kind of contractions, and friends/family I've talked to haven't had any similar experiences, so I have no idea what's going on but I just wanted to reach out for positive vibes! Hoping for some answers, or at least reassurance baby is ok later today. Thanks!!

MRSCORKER

I don't have any experience but sending you positive vibes! Keep us posted!

nlane0723

I get them.  I had around 4 total yesterday that I can remember.  I get them most often when I have to pee and I have held it too long or after sex.  One of mine from yesterday was after I sneezed.  My MFM said they are normal and as long as there is no pain or bleeding, baby is fine.

I hope everything is okay with baby!

agogo1

They started in 2nd tri for me last time but I have a nasty condition that made it extremely difficult to eat and drink during my last pregnancy (had surgery after DD was born, much better now). So basically, my contractions were due to dehydration and it doesn't sound like that's your problem. Maybe your uterus is just super duper motivated and it's starting to train early for the marathon coming in a few months. FX that all goes well for you later, keep us updated! 

mothernorth

With my second pregnancy, I got BHC very early, and very regularly, before the second trimester. Staying hydrated helped, but they never stopped throughout my entire pregnancy and at times in my 3rd trimester, I would have SWORN I was going into labor but wasn't! Sorry you have to deal with them already , they can (literally) be such a pain... I haven't gotten any *yet* so far, but I did like crazy last go around. It never caused any complications, just a few unnecessary ER trips and false labor scares later on in my situation. I would say there is no cause for alarm, but it's still a good idea to get checked out since we are all different.

LGW2015

Thanks ladies! I feel relieved already just knowing I'm going in today to get checked out and your reassurance helps calm the anxiety in the meantime! Everything I've read online said basically the same thing but the nurse made me really nervous. She said "it's way too early for BH".....dead silence. Ummm well I'm having contractions soooooo! What the heck. She asked about bleeding (and dehydration) and then said if anything changes to call back. Made me super paranoid.

@agogo1 haha I like your theory about my uterus being super motivated! Maybe it just really likes to practice!

I'll let you all know what they say!

kmvisioli

I've been having them, usually if I've been busy/on my feet a lot. Hope your dr is able to reassure you!

kmalls

Popping in for support! I started getting BH contractions about halfway through second tri last pregnancy, and they were nothing to be concerned about. As others have said (and you're already doing), stay hydrated! I also found they were way stronger if my bladder was full. Good luck at your appointment, and let us know how it goes. 

annabenanna

No experience with this, but just wanted to send you some good vibes and positive thoughts.  Glad you're going to get checked out today.  Keep us posted!  FX!  

ashleyp625

Sending good thoughts your way!

blaf322

no experience, just sending good vibes your way! 

jolydan

***lurker from July***
I have been having daily contractions since 14 weeks **unless I drink 90oz of water a day. It's a LOT of fluids and I often feel I'm drowning myself but when I do so, no contractions! I had to go twice to L&D since my 20th week to have my cervix check after they were not calming down and the advice they told me is when it happens drink 30oz of water, lay on your left side and wait 45 minutes. If no change come in. So far it worked. It's stressful especially when you read you shouldn't have more than 4-6 a day, but some women have irritable uterus and the more active the baby gets, the more irritated the uterus become... 
good luck!!

LGW2015

Thank you all so much! I got the all-clear! Baby is doing well, heart rate is 144. NP said it's actually my round ligament contracting, not my uterus. She felt around my lower abdomen and let me tell you it HURT like a ************ when she found the round ligament on my right side. She said it's actually a good sign, everything is growing ha. It was probably aggravated from when my dog stepped on me a few weeks ago, that jerk.

Thank you all again for the support! And we got to schedule our A/S for May 12th! Can't wait!

br0co1ii

I'm glad you got the all clear! My co-worker's wife has been getting legit contractions of her uterus since about 14 weeks and has to be checked out a lot. Everything is fine I guess though, she's just on light duty at work.
I can only imagine the pain you felt when that ligament was found. When I have RLP it's pretty intense, so I would imagine that pressing on it is far from pleasant.

blaf322

Yay! So glad to see that everything's okay!!

mothernorth

Hooray! I love hearing good news =D

UponAStar16

Glad you got good news @LGW2015!

M&E2013

This made me feel soooooo much better!  I noticed I had one today out of the blue. I goggled it but hadn't found anything definitive. This is my 6th pregnancy and I've never experienced them so early (16 weeks) and experiencing a loss with the last one this past October, I was devastated. I'm having issues with my appetite so I'm certain that in dehydrated so I'll try to step that up! Thanks everyone for sharing your info! And congrats on the good news to the original poster! ❤  

Michi1382

Oh Horray for good news! Whew!!

ashleyp625

Glad everything is okay!

cbamama641

Glad you got checked and everything is fine.. I've been having a few BH per day for a couple weeks now.. so annoying!

lilbabybrown

Glad to hear everything is okay @LGW2015!