Braxton Hicks?

kelslynie

Have you had any Braxton Hicks (false contractions)? What do they feel like for you?

A few times my belly has felt hard and tight for a few seconds, but it's never painful and I don't really feel it from the inside; only from touching my belly. Are these false contractions? I always thought it was just the baby pressing outward.

BluEyedGrrl

It doesn't.  Some people don't get them at all.  But yes, I've had them since about 36 weeks.  The first one I had woke me up!

LifesPeachy

Sometimes they can feel like the "baby balling up" other times they can feel like the entire belly getting hard. They're not supposed to hurt. I would not be surprised if you feel your belly hardening when touching it that it was indeed a BH- especially if this is baby #1.

My BHs are so intense I sometimes have to "breathe" through them just because my belly gets so hard and tight that it takes my breath away. I get BHs all through the day for several weeks now and with DD, I never felt any BHs or contractions until I was induced.

Rachel010110

Sounds like that's what they are. I've been having them for months now and this is my first pregnancy. When I first started getting them they were really light and lasted for just a few seconds, but with each month they get stronger and last a little longer. My whole stomach goes rock hard for usually around 30 seconds to a minute. And they aren't consistent. It's never hurt, but they can be uncomfortable. Sometimes I can't move around when having them because my stomach just gets so hard.

mrsoh

I get them a couple of times a day now.  My whole belly gets tight.  I can feel it from the inside, and when I touch my belly.  It's like someone is pulling my skin as tight as they can around my body, it last for a few seconds, and then everything relaxes again.  I wouldn't say it hurts so much as it's just really uncomfortable.

shalenap

I asked my midwife if what I was feeling were braxton hicks - she said yes.  My stomach gets really tight and for a while I thought it was baby just doing a big stretch and pressing out in every direction.  The don't hurt generally, but last night they were really strong and took my breath away.  There were also meunstral like cramps going down the fronts of my legs/groin area.  I used it an an opportunity to practice my yoga breathing! 

The only thing that does hurt about them, is that LO must find them uncomfortable and he really tries to kick through them.  That actually gets pretty painful.

 

bikernun

It sounds like you have already experienced them.

heylee

I think I've just started getting them. The right side of my belly gets hard like a ball and there is some cramping lower down for about 15 seconds at a time.