Non-stop Braxton Hicks?

gnomemom

How often do you get Braxton Hicks? I feel like I have had them non-stop today. They are not painful in the least...just a very clear tightening of my belly every few minutes.

I mentioned to DH I felt like I was getting them every 2 minutes and he got very serious and thought I might be in labor. But I've had other contractions (weeks ago) that definitely felt like labor contractions. They started in my back, wrapped around to my front, and had a definite "peak." I drank some water and laid down and they went away.

I guess I expect the contractions I feel during labor to be more like the ones I had weeks ago. But I am a FTM, so I really don't know what to expect. Are these just Braxton Hicks, or could I be in labor?

landosmommy

If they are consistent, they can cause your cervix to change. But they won't stop if its real labor.

Taylor11

Mine aren't nearly as frequent this pregnancy, but with DD#1 I had so many false labor scares b.c of them.  You will KNOW when it's labor, trust me.  The pain will be unmistakable.  I know it's frustrating as hell, but just try to get through them, you are almost there!  Rule of thumb I went by:  If they don't stop when you lay on your side and chug water, and become more intense and frequent, it could be progression....

bgf1

I am not close to my due date but I had a couple of days of pretty constant BH contractions a week ago.  I mentioned it to my OB and he said that having a sudden increase in BH was most likely due to dehydration (he also said that pregnant women need 3 litres of water a day).  What happens now when you drink water and rest?  How long are they lasting for?  True contractions will not change with rest/hydration, and should become more regular/intense/last longer as time passes?

Chewie12

Yes! I have been having them all day too! Thanks for posting this question. I'm not close to my due date so I was quite interested to see what other ladies were saying.

mejane123

Pretty much nonstop for the last three months. It sucks.

EAMommy

I'm on bed rest for preterm contractions...

On my first trip to L&D I learned that contractions are only considered braxton hicks if they are non-painful, inconsistent and infrequent. Once they are painful, consistent or frequent (more than 4 an hour), you need to call your doctor. 

I've been contracting every 1-3 minutes and so far they haven't had much effect on my cervix, but my doctor has me on bed rest and is monitoring me very closely.

chrisngeri

At 33 weeks I had non-stop cramping which I thought was either strange non-stop BH or early labour. It got so bad my face was white and my colleagues totally panicked and told me to go to the gynae. Turned out that it was a bad case of food poisoning and it was good that I DID go to the doc or the next few days would have been even worse without any meds. No harm checking in.