Braxton Hicks, a big deal?

KatieGummow · January 2014

When I told my OB I have been getting BH lately (27 weeks, di/di) she looked pretty worried and asked me to stop working. I thought they weren't that big of a deal? Is it because I am with twins or is BH always a big deal?

babywillmake3 · January 2014

I was just told today that you contract earlier and more frequently with twins. I had plenty of contractions at 27 weeks, I'm 34 weeks now, not dilated, still working and having contractions every 5-10 minutes and as close as 3-5 mins depending on what's going on. My OB said she was fine with me working as long as I wasn't dilated. I've never been put on bedrest.

katieg314 · January 2014

I started having them around that time. I have mentioned it a couple of times and none of my doctors have been concerned. She said if its consistently more than 5/hr then I should call, but that as long as they aren't on a consistent timetable and getting closer & more intense not to worry.

KatieGummow · January 2014

Thanks for the words of encouragement @babywillmake3 and @katieg314!

Missa_g · January 2014

My regular contractions felt just like BH but were timeable. I don't think BH on their own are a worry but if they're frequent you could be in actual labor. I wish my OB had taken my BH seriously and encouraged me to slow down.

jeephappygirl · January 2014

I srarted getting them around 20 weeks. Always if I was really stressed, active ir not drinking enough. Doc wasn't worried as long as they went away if I drank a glass if water & rested. Ended up having water break in middle of night at 36w4d. Never felt strong/real contractions. Had a c section because baby a was breech.

PurpleIris30 · January 2014

The problem is that sometimes women think they are "just having BH" if the tightness doesnt hurt but the contractions are actually impacting their cervix. My MFM told me to erase that term from my language and pay attention to if the tightness lasted for 45 seconds or longer and I had 4 or more in an hour. I often had to keep my hand on my stomach to tell if the muscles were tight.

So just Braxton Hicks can be a big deal depending on how long they last, how many you are having, if they are impacting cervical length and if there is any pain or bleeding. Your dr might have his/her own guidelines, but shouldn't assume they are no big deal without checking you out further.

Snugly Ael · January 2014

It's because you're carrying twins your OB/GYN is worried. BHs sometimes impact your cervical length and if they are constant it can be risky too. I went to the hospital 9 times for BH and for not feeling either one of the baby move. However, with all the tension and pain, I delivered my b/g twins via a planned c-sec at 38w2d without my cervical length being affected with the BH. Baby A (my girl) was breech and baby b(my boy) was transverse. Just keep a track of the contractions and make sure you don't feel more than 4 in an hour. All the best!

PS: I have a bicortunate uterus and had gestational diabetes when I was carrying my twins. Just take care of your health, rest a lot, be extra cautious and eat healthy!

raraavis28 · January 2014

It is definitely common to get more and earlier BH w/ a twin pregnancy...and it can either just be your new normal (I had tons of uterine irritability) or it could be affecting your cervix....and there's no way you can know which it is. So, like PP said, keep track of them, and call if you get more than 4 an hour. Also drink tons of water! GL!

KatieGummow · January 2014

Thank you all for taking the time to answer my question. Super helpful information. I will make sure I keep track and stay hydrated! Thanks again!

LittleLady77 · January 2014

Hi Katie

my doctor told me to lay down or sit back if I'm feeling contractions. If they are timeable or I get more than 7 per hour I need to go to L&D to get checked.

Incrediblelife · January 2014

So...I'm 32 weeks with di/di twins and the last week or two have been having constant BH. I get more if I sit/lay down, but they happen no matter my position (and I've been drinking crazy amounts of water)...I'd say I almost get them every 20 mins or so, often more. Not changing in intensity or frequency though...have a doc appt tomorrow, but I thought it was pretty normal with twins? My cervical length was just at 3.5 a week and a half ago...would be interested to know if it's changed? Anyone else get them this much?

KatieGummow · January 2014

@incrediblelife, sounds like you are fine. It is common with twins. My OB was just worried because preterm labor is also common with twins, so she wants me to take it easy. I just didn't think it was a big deal at all, which is why I was surprised by her reaction. Definitely bring it up to your OB, (s)he will want to pay extra attention to your cervical exams now.

I don't get them that often. Maybe 3 in an hour, pretty close together. I have to remember to empty my bladder even if I don't feel the urge. That almost always makes them go away. I forget how much water I am drinking throughout the day, especially if I am sitting in front of the TV.

KatieGummow · January 2014

LittleLady77 said:

Hi Katie my doctor told me to lay down or sit back if I'm feeling contractions. If they are timeable or I get more than 7 per hour I need to go to L&D to get checked.

Did she mention anything about maybe stopping working sooner than later? Just curious. My OB said the same thing. It just shocked me she wanted me to stop working when i have been so "healthy" this entire pregnancy.

SWA80 · January 2014

I started having them a LOT at 28 weeks, water, rest, nothing seemed to help. I had them all day, every day 4 to 12 mins apart. They weren't making me dilate and my MFMs didn't think stopping work would help. Mine were not painful, just sometimes uncomfortable but I was worried that I would be in labor without realizing it. At 32 weeks, I was admitted to the hospital for unrelated reasons and within a few days , my contractions all but stopped. So, for me I think stress and work were a big contributor.In hindsight, I should have cut back or stopped work earlier.

KatieGummow · January 2014

SWA80 said:

I started having them a LOT at 28 weeks, water, rest, nothing seemed to help. I had them all day, every day 4 to 12 mins apart. They weren't making me dilate and my MFMs didn't think stopping work would help. Mine were not painful, just sometimes uncomfortable but I was worried that I would be in labor without realizing it. At 32 weeks, I was admitted to the hospital for unrelated reasons and within a few days , my contractions all but stopped. So, for me I think stress and work were a big contributor.In hindsight, I should have cut back or stopped work earlier.

Thank you for this insight, I appreciate it!

Burberry0421 · January 2014

Just jumping in with all the other mamas...I got my first round at 19 weeks & 4 days. Went to L&D because they were coming every 3 minutes for about an hour & a half. I think the typical rule of thumb is 6 or more in an hour & call your doctor. And like a few others have said, BH contractions feel like regular contractions, so you can't necessarily tell the difference. We have no idea if they are actually changing our cervix or not, so it's best to err on the side of caution.

LittleLady77 · January 2014

KatieGummow said:

LittleLady77 said:

Hi Katie my doctor told me to lay down or sit back if I'm feeling contractions. If they are timeable or I get more than 7 per hour I need to go to L&D to get checked.

Did she mention anything about maybe stopping working sooner than later? Just curious. My OB said the same thing. It just shocked me she wanted me to stop working when i have been so "healthy" this entire pregnancy.

KatieGummow she did. She started asking me what my job was like? if there is a place to lay down? will they let me work from home? etc. She said she may want me to work from home kinda soonish since that's an option for me.

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