Braxton hicks contractions

Lyonroars25

Okay ladies just want to get your opinion here... I've been getting almost constant Braxton hicks contractions anytime I am active and move my stomach muscles. I've already been to labor and delivery in addition to my ob today. My cervix is completely closed and I know that they are Braxton hicks because they go away when I lay down. I honestly just think I have a irritable uterus. Has anyone had/ having a similar situation to what I'm experiencing?

Sony22

Yes, I had them on Thursday of last week and on Monday. Both days, they started slow, like one per hour or so. By the end of the work day, I had constant tightness or tightness with movement or full blown ouchies! (contractions) My Thursday episode improved with two days of rest. My Monday episode got better by resting on Tuesday and then a half day of work yesterday. After the half day yesterday, my belly got tight again.

Are you resting? Did they check for UTI?

A37licia

It's not unusual for me to get them when I walk or am active, and I've never had any preterm labor issues in my pregnancies.  Right around this time and till the end, my belly gets really hard and tight when I take a walk, especially when it's uphill.

elm005

I have been dealing with the same thing for about a week.  Trying not to freak out.  I still get lots of movement from our LO so that makes me feel better but I really wish the contractions would stop.  

OpheliaChem

Irritable uterus?? Doesn't sound legit. Surely your OB and the L&D dept told you what you are experiencing is normal. Check the other posts - some of us are feeling the same thing you are. Its normal.

himymlover

OpheliaChem:

Irritable uterus?? Doesn't sound legit. Surely your OB and the L&D dept told you what you are experiencing is normal. Check the other posts - some of us are feeling the same thing you are. Its normal.

Actually that is a legit diagnosis, even though it does sound weird and doesn't really give any answers. My dr. says that I have an "irritable uterus" and that I will probably just continue to have contractions until I deliver. At 26 weeks (I'm 30 now) I was admitted to L&D twice in a week because of braxton hicks contractions that were 1-2 minutes apart. Every day since then I have had about 5 contractions per hour. I've been tested for a UTI which was negative, and I've also made sure that I'm well hydrated. The only thing that made my contractions go away (for about 4 hours) was Terbutaline, which was given during my first hospital stay.

For now my doctor does cervical checks and fetal fibronectin tests every two weeks, and has just told me that if they get painful I need to go to the hospital. Some people have an irritable uterus that has a hard time with pregnancy and contracts more than is normal. I just have to deal with it for now. Not saying that is exactly what is going on with you, or that your situation will be exactly the same as mine, but that has been my experience. 

staceymack

Yes, the doctors referred to my situation as an irritable uterus when I was in the hospital last week. I'm now home on sbr. I gave contractions all day long even on sbr. However, it's not uncommon when pregnant with multiples. I'm measuring about eight weeks ahead.

OpheliaChem

himymlover:

OpheliaChem:

Irritable uterus?? Doesn't sound legit. Surely your OB and the L&D dept told you what you are experiencing is normal. Check the other posts - some of us are feeling the same thing you are. Its normal.

Actually that is a legit diagnosis, even though it does sound weird and doesn't really give any answers. My dr. says that I have an "irritable uterus" and that I will probably just continue to have contractions until I deliver. At 26 weeks (I'm 30 now) I was admitted to L&D twice in a week because of braxton hicks contractions that were 1-2 minutes apart. Every day since then I have had about 5 contractions per hour. I've been tested for a UTI which was negative, and I've also made sure that I'm well hydrated. The only thing that made my contractions go away (for about 4 hours) was Terbutaline, which was given during my first hospital stay.

For now my doctor does cervical checks and fetal fibronectin tests every two weeks, and has just told me that if they get painful I need to go to the hospital. Some people have an irritable uterus that has a hard time with pregnancy and contracts more than is normal. I just have to deal with it for now. Not saying that is exactly what is going on with you, or that your situation will be exactly the same as mine, but that has been my experience. 

Yeah I looked it up - I couldn't find anything from a reputable website other than people just diagnosing themselves. Granted I didn't do a lengthy search but I didn't see anything that explained it well - just something that no one can really explain. I experience a high number of BH every day too and I just chalk it up to my body doing its thing. As for OP, a self-diagnosis of IU is great but it doesn't mean its right.  At least you had a dr give you that diagnosis...

SweetPeaK26

I get them so often, plenty more than 5 an hour some hours. I had them like this before my 23 week appt, they checked me and everything was hard, high and closed. I'll mention them at each appt, and if they want to check me, more power to them. I'm not got to go running in every time the books say I should, because I'd be there every day... And it's a 45 minute drive each way. I'll be starting 2 week appts after my appt next week, so I'm just going to let them decide what they want to do each appt. I'll go in if they get really painful, patterned, or my water breaks, otherwise, I'm not.

iceprincess15

I was diagnosed with a irritable uterus for both of my pregnancies. With my son, I would have constant contractions (sometimes 3-5 minutes apart), but I only dilated during one hospital visit. They started at 29 weeks and I had them often and daily until I delivered a month early.

This time my BHs started at 14 weeks and have been getting worse by the week. Irritable uterus AGAIN. This time my OB is monitoring my cervical length (since 12 weeks), and last week I have started to shorten significantly.

Even though you are closed, are you still long?

VitaLuna

Keep in mind that not all aches and cramps are BH contractions. Sometimes you may just be achey from overdoing it, which would go away when you lay down, too. I know that I'm pretty sore ad crampy feeling at the end of a long shift.

You did your due diligence checking with your doctor, and it sounds like everything is fine.

MamaInMN

SweetPeaK26:

I get them so often, plenty more than 5 an hour some hours. I had them like this before my 23 week appt, they checked me and everything was hard, high and closed. I'll mention them at each appt, and if they want to check me, more power to them. I'm not got to go running in every time the books say I should, because I'd be there every day... And it's a 45 minute drive each way. I'll be starting 2 week appts after my appt next week, so I'm just going to let them decide what they want to do each appt. I'll go in if they get really painful, patterned, or my water breaks, otherwise, I'm not.

This is me, too. I have had many bouts where they turn painful so we're on close watch for preterm labor and have had all the tests but from everything my midwife has told me and what I've researched, if they are just BHs, your body may just have more of them than what is "normal".  

And I don't know how medical of a term it is to have an "irritable uterus", but I've been 'diagnosed' with it as well.  I have taken it to mean just what is above - that normal for me and my ute is not really what is normal for most, non-irritated uteruses (uteri?). 

My midwife had me start taking a liquid calcium/magnesium supplement that has made them MUCH more bearable (and I haven't gotten any leg cramps since starting it)!  Maybe worth asking your OB about?

Arielle27

OpheliaChem:

himymlover:

OpheliaChem:

Irritable uterus?? Doesn't sound legit. Surely your OB and the L&D dept told you what you are experiencing is normal. Check the other posts - some of us are feeling the same thing you are. Its normal.

Actually that is a legit diagnosis, even though it does sound weird and doesn't really give any answers. My dr. says that I have an "irritable uterus" and that I will probably just continue to have contractions until I deliver. At 26 weeks (I'm 30 now) I was admitted to L&D twice in a week because of braxton hicks contractions that were 1-2 minutes apart. Every day since then I have had about 5 contractions per hour. I've been tested for a UTI which was negative, and I've also made sure that I'm well hydrated. The only thing that made my contractions go away (for about 4 hours) was Terbutaline, which was given during my first hospital stay.

For now my doctor does cervical checks and fetal fibronectin tests every two weeks, and has just told me that if they get painful I need to go to the hospital. Some people have an irritable uterus that has a hard time with pregnancy and contracts more than is normal. I just have to deal with it for now. Not saying that is exactly what is going on with you, or that your situation will be exactly the same as mine, but that has been my experience. 

Yeah I looked it up - I couldn't find anything from a reputable website other than people just diagnosing themselves. Granted I didn't do a lengthy search but I didn't see anything that explained it well - just something that no one can really explain. I experience a high number of BH every day too and I just chalk it up to my body doing its thing. As for OP, a self-diagnosis of IU is great but it doesn't mean its right.  At least you had a dr give you that diagnosis...

I was also diagnosed with irritable uterus in my second pregnant by a reputable doctor, as well as admitted to the hospital three times from week 33 to week 37 when I finally gave birth.

In this pregnancy I have just started getting a lot of Braxton hicks at week 26, but Im hoping it is only due to mild dehydration during a slight bout of diarrhea sorry If TMI!!

Irritable uterus is a real condition, it just hasn't been studied much unfortunately.