Question about BH

JMU_Bride09

I think I've been having BH the past few weeks but am just really starting to realize that that's what they are.  I know that they're just practice contractions and that they're very common, but I'm just wondering if I should do anything specific whenever I have them?  Do I need to do anything out of the ordinary?  And how will I know when they are something I should worry about?  I'm going to google to try to figure out some more info, but I really want to hear from some other May Mommas

Also, how do you tell when one contraction ends and another begins?  It's hard to tell so I'm not sure how many I'm having per hour.  My uterus just feels very stretched and sometimes it's almost as if there is a liquid feeling going down it part way...it's a very odd feeling.  I can only imagine it's a BH.

sparkymcgeee

I count mine and note the time. Just to make sure I'm not having too many. My stomach gets super tight and feels really firm. I only notice at the peak of them but once the tight firm feeling goes away I count that as one. The next time that feeling comes I count it as another.

You shouldn't have more than about 5 an hour. If you think you are having a lot then lay down on your left side and drink lots of water. Make sure you note how many in an hour. 

JMU_Bride09

Thank you!  From your description, it sounds like I've only had a few at a time, but they seem to last for quite some time...can one last for like 5+ minutes?

sparkymcgeee

Mine seem like five minutes but the longest I've had was about two. I would time it and make sure its actually five minutes. If they are lasting that long I would wonder and probably call just for more information but if you do call be prepared to have to go in. Every time I've called they have always told me to come in. Its a pain.

Temp38995750004016

Ditto everything meimsx said.

And supposedly being dehydrated causes them to be more intense and more frequent, so make sure you drink tons of water!

sparkymcgeee

pook:

Ditto everything meimsx said.

And supposedly being dehydrated causes them to be more intense and more frequent, so make sure you drink tons of water!

That's very true. I was really dehydrated on Sunday and that's what led to mine. I've been drinking a ton more water now. I thought I was drinking enough. 

Temp38995750004016

meimsx:

pook:

Ditto everything meimsx said.

And supposedly being dehydrated causes them to be more intense and more frequent, so make sure you drink tons of water!

That's very true. I was really dehydrated on Sunday and that's what led to mine. I've been drinking a ton more water now. I thought I was drinking enough. 

I'm drinking 10 glasses a day and I haven't had any the past few days!

sparkymcgeee

pook:

meimsx:

pook:

Ditto everything meimsx said.

And supposedly being dehydrated causes them to be more intense and more frequent, so make sure you drink tons of water!

That's very true. I was really dehydrated on Sunday and that's what led to mine. I've been drinking a ton more water now. I thought I was drinking enough. 

I'm drinking 10 glasses a day and I haven't had any the past few days!

It really is amazing how much water effects the contractions. I drink even when I'm not feeling thirsty.

JMU_Bride09

pook:

meimsx:

pook:

Ditto everything meimsx said.

And supposedly being dehydrated causes them to be more intense and more frequent, so make sure you drink tons of water!

That's very true. I was really dehydrated on Sunday and that's what led to mine. I've been drinking a ton more water now. I thought I was drinking enough. 

I'm drinking 10 glasses a day and I haven't had any the past few days!

Oooh weird!!  I was doing really well with staying hydrated and then lately I've been falling behind a little bit...I wonder if that's why I've started noticing the BH.

kacelle

Your description sounds more like ligament pain to me than BH contractions.  For me, it doesn't feel like stretching; it's a definite tightening sensation.  I can also tell when they start and stop easily, and they don't last more than a minute or two at most. 

You should ask your doctor if you're unsure of what you're feeling.  If they are BH contractions, relax and drink plenty of fluids when you experience once.  If you begin having multiple contractions back-to-back, empty your bladder, lie on your side, and count the contractions so that you can tell your doctor how many you've had if/when you call the office.

Hope this helps!