Contraction Confusion...

racheldaigle46 · January 2011

Okay, so for the past couple of weeks, the way I can describe my "contractions" are what feel like when the baby rolls up into a ball, and tries to push himself out of my belly button...ive had this sensation since about 24weeks, only in the past couple weeks they are more often and seem to tighten up my belly more... this happens maybe 10-20x a day, not exactly timeable, nor seem to have any kind of pattern.

But aren't contractions, at this point, supposted to feel more like menstural cramps instead of what I always thought were braxton hicks contractions?

I haven't really had any menstural like cramping at all....i have the occasional bowel movement-like "cramping", lower back aches (only when i try to lie down and get comfortable at night) and of course, lightning crotch.

It seems like everyone else are having real contractions (ones that feel like menstural cramps).... Sad

Maybe I am just looking too hard for signs of labor...

Any clarification is appreciated!

Mambear1990 · January 2011

My Doula and Midwife seem to think I have an irritable or sensitive uterus, and I have been having the VERY same kinds of contractions. They still count as braxton hicks, unfortunately, and don't do very much to open the cervix. Baby is just getting bigger and anytime he moves it makes the uterus react, which isn't so pleasant for the moms to be... they both told me that there was really very very little I could do. Stay well hydrated, always keep an empty bladder (what a paradox. . .), and to walk/lay down when the opposite seems to exacerbate things. Baths also do wonders for me

I had a lot of trouble getting to sleep at night because I had the false contractions so often and started taking benadryl to help out.

racheldaigle46 · January 2011

Mambear1990:

My Doula and Midwife seem to think I have an irritable or sensitive uterus, and I have been having the VERY same kinds of contractions. They still count as braxton hicks, unfortunately, and don't do very much to open the cervix. Baby is just getting bigger and anytime he moves it makes the uterus react, which isn't so pleasant for the moms to be... they both told me that there was really very very little I could do. Stay well hydrated, always keep an empty bladder (what a paradox. . .), and to walk/lay down when the opposite seems to exacerbate things. Baths also do wonders for me

I had a lot of trouble getting to sleep at night because I had the false contractions so often and started taking benadryl to help out.

I am glad im not the only one in this boat. Maybe opting for an internal next week will help to see what exactly my cervix is doing (if anything at all)

Mambear1990 · January 2011

Just don't be too frustrated if nothing happens! I had them for a whole day, consistently and timeable, and went to the hospital just to see what was up. I had them check me and I was 0 effaced and dilated. Nothing like cramping all day to know it had done NOTHING at all.

Its so hard not to get frustrated when we are this close.

RedZee · January 2011

Thanks for this post! I've been having the same thing and I've been totally confused about whether they are real contractions or doing anything at all. (When I went in last week I had an internal and I was 0/0.) At least now I know it's nothing.

starsmaycollide · January 2011

Well don't feel bad...they are at least probably getting your body 'ready'. I have been having timeable contractions every 5-8 minutes since yesterday morning, and while they aren't dilating me yet, they are definitely prelabor. Prior to this I had zero BH the whole pregnancy. I think technically what's going on now would be considered BH...thinking of it as prelabor is better though!

Maybe having those now means when you go into labor for 'real', it'll be right into the active phase-there's nothing wrong with that! I am anxiously waiting for these to turn into the real deal, they are so regular. But they do feel somewhat like menstrual cramps, just also with back pain and pressure down below as well. It's tough having them and knowing you're not there yet. But you never know when it could change, either!

SBear12 · January 2011

I've had an irritable uterus both pregnancies (constant BH contrax... the tightening kind) and dilated pretty early (3 cm at 37 wks) last time, but had none of those menstrual cramp-y contrax until after my water broke at 39.5 wks. Then, they were immediately very painful and very regular and MUCH crampier from the tightening ones I was used to.

This time, I've had a steady mix of the tightening BHs and "real" crampy contrax. As of 32 weeks, I was dilated 1-2 cms, and we'll find out Monday if there's been any change since then. But my midwife told me it's not uncommon to start the "real" ones sooner the 2nd time around.

All that to say, you could definitely be dilated and ready to go into labor (mine was FAST, too, 5 hrs start to finish) without having felt a single crampy contraction, so no worries.

racheldaigle46 · January 2011

SBear12:

I've had an irritable uterus both pregnancies (constant BH contrax... the tightening kind) and dilated pretty early (3 cm at 37 wks) last time, but had none of those menstrual cramp-y contrax until after my water broke at 39.5 wks. Then, they were immediately very painful and very regular and MUCH crampier from the tightening ones I was used to.

This time, I've had a steady mix of the tightening BHs and "real" crampy contrax. As of 32 weeks, I was dilated 1-2 cms, and we'll find out Monday if there's been any change since then. But my midwife told me it's not uncommon to start the "real" ones sooner the 2nd time around.

All that to say, you could definitely be dilated and ready to go into labor (mine was FAST, too, 5 hrs start to finish) without having felt a single crampy contraction, so no worries.

Thanks! I love responses from those who are experienced!

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