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BH vs "Real" contractions ?

aegrimmaegrimm member
in 3rd Trimester

I don't remember having BH with my DS and I was induced with him so I never went into labor. (I'm sure I had BH, I just didn't know I was having them.)

I'm having contractions right now...how do I tell if they are BH or "real" contractions? (I know I'm only 32 weeks, I'm just paranoid about PTL for some reason...)

Give me all the info you've got ladies....please!!

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Re: BH vs "Real" contractions ?

  • dionnemd10dionnemd10 member
    in my experience a bh just tightens the belly-or section of it.   my real contractions cover breast to pelvis-take my breath away and make me go "holy ***."   bh are just uncomfy.   real contraction for me is more of a wave of pain versus just one little spot
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  • Pickle123Pickle123 member
    BH is lots of tightening in the belly, but are sporadic. They have no timing to them. Trying drinking some water and laying on your side and see if they stop. Real contractions do not stop with change of position, etc.
    Due October 29
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  • ScissorTailedFlycatcherScissorTailedFlycatcher member
    TRUST ME. They feel the exact same. Call your OB or go straight to L&D if you have more than 4 an hour. The ONLY difference is that "real" ones progress you and BH don't.
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  • squirt10squirt10
    BH are not as consistant and shouldn't be too painful- just a tightening.  I had BH starting at about 22 weeks... now I haven't had them for the last couple.  Anyone else have BH and then have them stop towards the end?  I thought they should get more frequent?!  Any ideas?
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  • aegrimmaegrimm member

    imageshortyred919:
    TRUST ME. They feel the exact same. Call your OB or go straight to L&D if you have more than 4 an hour. The ONLY difference is that "real" ones progress you and BH don't.

    Eep! Indifferent Yes, ma'am!

    Thanks ladies for all the info! I'm drinking a big glass of water right now. I'm hoping they go away.

    And, I'll start counting now, Shorty. Wink

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  • amber&patrickamber&patrick member

    For me, I can always get my BH to slow down and space out by doing something -- drinking water, taking a warm shower, something.  I've had lots of them that hurt and are timeable at only a few minutes apart, but I can make them slow down.  My OB says that's how I'll know when they're real - I won't be able to affect them. 

    With that said, I second Shorty's advice, get checked if you have any doubt.  It's not worth the risk.

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  • ravensekhmetravensekhmet
    When you have more babies Iv heard with each one they get a bit more painful and real feeling...First I never noticed, second mild annoying but now they hurt bad.
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  • ScissorTailedFlycatcherScissorTailedFlycatcher member
    imageaegrimm:

    imageshortyred919:
    TRUST ME. They feel the exact same. Call your OB or go straight to L&D if you have more than 4 an hour. The ONLY difference is that "real" ones progress you and BH don't.

    Eep! Indifferent Yes, ma'am!

    Thanks ladies for all the info! I'm drinking a big glass of water right now. I'm hoping they go away.

    And, I'll start counting now, Shorty. Wink

    Also, and of corse, this is just the irony of it all, dehydration AND/OR a full bladder can cause contractions. So, drink water, but make sure you're not holding it all in. Smile

    Thanks for listening to me. If you didn't, I'd have to beat you.

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  • aegrimmaegrimm member
    imageshortyred919:
    imageaegrimm:

    imageshortyred919:
    TRUST ME. They feel the exact same. Call your OB or go straight to L&D if you have more than 4 an hour. The ONLY difference is that "real" ones progress you and BH don't.

    Eep! Indifferent Yes, ma'am!

    Thanks ladies for all the info! I'm drinking a big glass of water right now. I'm hoping they go away.

    And, I'll start counting now, Shorty. Wink

    Also, and of corse, this is just the irony of it all, dehydration AND/OR a full bladder can cause contractions. So, drink water, but make sure you're not holding it all in. Smile

    Thanks for listening to me. If you didn't, I'd have to beat you.

    Isn't the irony great? Drink, but not too much. Pee, but don't get up too much because you're on bedrest. Erm....ok....

    And I would never not listen to you. You terrify me. Indifferent

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  • ScissorTailedFlycatcherScissorTailedFlycatcher member
    Angel
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  • squirt10squirt10
    I started having strong ones (BH) that actually got pretty close together, around 8 min apart, at about 29 weeks.  I called the doc and they had me drink a ton of water and make sure I was emptying the bladder- just as everyone else is telling you.  That did not help.  They then told me to take a warm bath, get in bed, and elevate my feet.  I did this and it helped them to slow down and I eventually fell asleep.  I went in when the doc opened in the morning and everything was alright for me- thank goodness.  This is when they told me that real ones would be more painful and get closer and more intense with each one.  Also BH don't really do anything to your cervix and real ones do- I think that is the biggest difference.
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  • CiarraiCiarrai

    According to my CNM the difference between BH and "real" contractions is that "real" contractions cause your cervix to start to open and thin where BH do not.  They can (and do) feel the same (especially at 32 weeks).  BH will generally go away if you lay down and drink lots of water.  They also won't (usually) follow any kind of pattern.  Either way, they're all contractions.  As shorty said, if you're having more than 4 an hour and they don't go away with drinking water and laying down, call your OB or head to L&D.  Better safe than sorry.

    FWIW - You will feel more contractions with each PG.  With your first you might not feel any but the "real" thing.  With your second, you'll feel more.  With your third, even more.  Your body just knows what to do or whatever.

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  • fisha25fisha25

    imageshortyred919:
    TRUST ME. They feel the exact same. Call your OB or go straight to L&D if you have more than 4 an hour. The ONLY difference is that "real" ones progress you and BH don't.

     As a mother of 2 already and this being the third i agree BH can feel and hurt or not hurt just like "real" contractions the rule is four in an hour.

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