Contractions vs baby moving positions-

milesc

I know no one on here can tell me whats going on, but Im just wondering if anyone is having the same issue...

I can't tell if Im having contractions, or if baby has just moved positions and is pushing. I know Im a STM and I feel weird when I talk about this to people- but with my DD, I didn't have contractions until I was pushing.

When you feel contractions (BH or the real deal-) did your whole stomach tighten up, including your sides? Im feeling my stomach tighten up (to the point of uncomfortable) but it seems to just be a little more than hands-width on each side of my bellybutton, not wrapping around my sides into my back. Anyone know if this is just the baby pushing, or how to tell if its a contraction? -Thanks

Wally3

Sounds like pushing. With contractions it is my whole stomach.

christine6980

Sounds like Braxton hicks. I've been getting them since week 29, I'm currently just about 36 weeks. When I get them they will tighten on one side of my belly, mostly the right. They can get uncomfortable esp with the tightening a couple of times I've had to breath through it. Everyone is different though so some may not experience this uncomfortable feeling. I've lately though been getting lots of lower back pain and it wraps around to my pelvic area with tightening every so often. 

rrcraz7

I've been having a ton of contractions this time around. More than I'm comfortable with but doc says its fine. I can tell because my abdomen gets hard & there is a significant amount of pressure. I only notice the hardness on top, not so much on the sides. I am a bit larger & my sides are fluffy so that plays a part. Movement usually only lasts a second or two. The contractions last anywhere from 15-30 seconds & are repetative (last night they were every 8-15 minutes apart for a while).

seraphiclust

For me when I have BH contractions my entire stomach (sides, bottom, top) progressively tighten up to the point of being pretty uncomfortable sometimes. When baby moves and bunches up in an area it feels -very- similar for me but LO tends to bunch up on my right side so I can tell the difference because my right side will be hard and tight and uncomfy but if I press on my left side it is still soft.

If it is a contraction it should wrap your whole stomach, not just one area. Next time it happens try gently nudging the area where it is tight/uncomfy and see if baby shifts? I have to do that a lot just to be comfy again cause my LO bunches up so forcefully sometimes it really aches!

As pp said I'm also having a lot more BH this time around so they are more noticeable.

mrsmklynch

I sometimes have trouble telling the difference between lighter contractions and stretching. I poke around to see if my belly feels even a little squishy anywhere. If it does, it's just stretching. During contractions, my entire uterus is hard as a rock. Some hurt like a biiitch, others aren't too bad.

hmbeach12

Sounds like my BH contractions.

turtlerun

I have a hard time telling them apart also.  If I have one that is incrediblyh short and not even lasting a minute then I tend to think it is my baby.  If it lasts longer or comes a lot during the course of an hour then I credit it to BH.  It doesn't help that my LO is breech and tries to fit his butt and feet as low as he can go down there.  I secretly worry though that it will be the real deal and I won't know until it is too late.

milesc

Thanks ladies...

Ill take it easy and keep track of it, and I appreciate all the comments- thank you. Its helped me relax a bit. Yesterday afternoon/evening was pretty rough, but it has gotten much better since then...

Thanks again!!

linzeek44

Sounds like the baby moving and pushing, or at least that's what my baby's movement feels like. It was confirmed at an NST that all those pushing and little spurts of tightening I feel are just baby not contractions. 

ccleary1313

It sounds like BH.

 I'm 36 weeks (almost 37, yay!) and BH make my whole belly tight and sometimes even go into my back (baby is sitting posterior though).

I have big babies, and this little one is already big and has run out of room (I'm expected to go before my due date) so when I get a BH, he pushes "out" with his limbs at the same time. Takes my breath away!

 It's no fun! Hang in there