Braxton Hicks Vs. Actual Contractions

MrsTinMKE · July 2014

I just some help clarifying what actual contractions may feel like vs Braxton Hicks.

Braxton Hicks - More pressure and UTE tightening - not painful

Actual Contractions - Pressure, some pain, cramping and discomfort

Is this accurate? Based on the reading I have done, this is how I am differentiating; however a FTM so I have NO idea if this is accurate.

I am pretty sure I am having contractions as there is a lot of cramping, discomfort and pressure (Yes keeping in touch with my OB about this) Part of me just wants to make sure I am not over reacting to the symptoms I guess.

TNX Ladies!

SusieBW · July 2014

If I remember right from being pregnant with DD, BH was more like localized belly tightening, and real contractions would usually stop me in my tracks and I felt them more broadly than just my belly.

Definitely touch base with your doctor, though. good luck!

MrsTinMKE · July 2014

SusieBW said:

If I remember right from being pregnant with DD, BH was more like localized belly tightening, and real contractions would usually stop me in my tracks and I felt them more broadly than just my belly.

Definitely touch base with your doctor, though. good luck!

Thank you! Yeah I had some last night that really caught me off guard with the pain, but they weren't frequent. Its the smaller ones, the tightening and cramping I am unsure about...

colacrock · July 2014

As PPs have said, BH are a tightening of the uterus, and not really painful. For me, BH kind of take my breath away and I have to breathe through them. I feel real contractions in my lower back and lower abdomen and it is a very intense pain, worse than period cramps. My doctor also told me that if I'm having any kind of contractions,BH or otherwise, more than 4 in an hour to drink a glass of water and rest on my left side. If they still continue after that, to go into L&D and/or call his office. Good luck - I hope you get it figured out or that they go away!

ashie0610 · July 2014

Some of my BH tend to be very uncomfortable too. Other than what's already been said, I'd also add that my uterus feels like one big, hard rock. Almost like a bowling ball is in there. It softens in places once it's over.

I've never felt a real contraction (as far as I know) so I have nothing to compare it to though.

BeanNut · July 2014

BH can be painful (although they're often not) and "real contractions" can be mild for some women so this isn't the best way to know when to call your doctor.

My doctor said to call if I have 10+ BH in an hour. Of course, you should also call if they are intensely painful or if something else seems off to you.

I've been having cramping/discomfort/contractions/pressure for months. Some people do although it's less common in FTM. That's why it's so important to have your doctor's guidelines.

bitsybubbles7 · July 2014

SusieBW said:

If I remember right from being pregnant with DD, BH was more like localized belly tightening, and real contractions would usually stop me in my tracks and I felt them more broadly than just my belly.

Definitely touch base with your doctor, though. good luck!

This. Bh is usually just my belly, real contractions are more all over.

pnwlover12 · July 2014

Contractions hurt and will increase in strength and how many/quickly you are having them. You will know the difference once it's happening.

MrsTinMKE · July 2014

@FamousEA - Ok so I have to ask, last night I was having some contractions, painful, but then really bad cramping and pain in my lower back/top part of my rear. Is this different?

I need to check with my DR. on that one, but trying to distinguish between just normal cramping and contractions lol Leg cramps havn't been an issue, but these lower back cramps are killer!

HappyCianci · July 2014

STM mom here, and I still don't really feel confident differentiating the two. I did have a lot of pressure/back pain throughout my whole labor, and I don't get that with the BH. But I spent a good deal of my first labor unsure of whether or not I was even having contractions, so there's that...

slsl509 · July 2014

IME BH is almost like a flushing/warming sensation that spreads over my whole abdomen and is annoying and maybe even uncomfortable but is by no means painful.

My real contractions were like someone putting my uterus into a vise lined with redhot knives and then tightening it over and over. I thought my BH were real contractions until I had real contractions and just whoa. Nowhere near the same thing for me.

MsMacual · July 2014

STM, too- I only knew that I was having real contractions b/c my water broke before they started. My BH contractions were similar feeling-wise. I typically had a few over an hour or two period and then they stopped, which is how I knew that they were BH. Also, like some other ladies said, you just know when you are in labor. I agree, that calling you doc always is a good step if you aren't sure.

MrsTinMKE · July 2014

MsMacual said:

STM, too- I only knew that I was having real contractions b/c my water broke before they started. My BH contractions were similar feeling-wise. I typically had a few over an hour or two period and then they stopped, which is how I knew that they were BH. Also, like some other ladies said, you just know when you are in labor. I agree, that calling you doc always is a good step if you aren't sure.

Ok - this is kind of my assumption at this point, that if I am in a lot of pain, I will know! lol Ill keep in touch with the DR if I am unsure, but there are times where I think, I just don't want to make a big deal out of something if its normal and nothing to be concerned about. Thanks for the feedback!

Maggie6424 · July 2014

With DS1, I had BH all day every damn day from 25 weeks on. They sent me to L&D multiple times because I would have them for hours every 5-7 minutes. They didn't hurt, but man were they annoying. However, some women do say their BH can be rather uncomfortable. I had some with him that took my breath away, mainly because I was doing something and wasn't expecting it.

MrsTinMKE · July 2014

Maggie6424 said:

With DS1, I had BH all day every damn day from 25 weeks on. They sent me to L&D multiple times because I would have them for hours every 5-7 minutes. They didn't hurt, but man were they annoying. However, some women do say their BH can be rather uncomfortable. I had some with him that took my breath away, mainly because I was doing something and wasn't expecting it.

Oh that would be really damn annoying!

Sockgnome78 · July 2014

Op thanks for asking. I have been getting them when I lay down for the night. As soon as I come out to the couch, lay on my left side they stop and I sleep. I actually put a contraction counter and kick counter apps on my phone.
I am just scared to call after hours and wake DH up if it is no big deal. But also worry that it is something I should be concerned about.

This pregnancy thing is not easy by any means.

Sweetiepops · July 2014

MW explained that actual contractions increase with intensity and duration, BH do not. I would try timing them and pay attention to duration time as well.

reneenearl · July 2014

Maggie6424 said:
With DS1, I had BH all day every damn day from 25 weeks on. They sent me to L&D multiple times because I would have them for hours every 5-7 minutes. They didn't hurt, but man were they annoying. However, some women do say their BH can be rather uncomfortable. I had some with him that took my breath away, mainly because I was doing something and wasn't expecting it.

This was me last pregnancy. They started at 24 weeks and were time able about 5 minutes apart and happened every day multiple times a day for a few hours. This pregnancy I started feeling them at 22 weeks and get them pretty regularly as well. I feel a lot of tightening and pressure when I have them.

MrsTinMKE · July 2014

reneenearl said:

With DS1, I had BH all day every damn day from 25 weeks on. They sent me to L&D multiple times because I would have them for hours every 5-7 minutes. They didn't hurt, but man were they annoying. However, some women do say their BH can be rather uncomfortable. I had some with him that took my breath away, mainly because I was doing something and wasn't expecting it.
This was me last pregnancy. They started at 24 weeks and were time able about 5 minutes apart and happened every day multiple times a day for a few hours. This pregnancy I started feeling them at 22 weeks and get them pretty regularly as well. I feel a lot of tightening and pressure when I have them.

Crazy.... Here is my opinion on damn contractions... Dear body... Unless your ready to go into labor just stop it! (I know this is irrational - but wishful thinking)

shelly2314 · August 2014

Mine are painful but one of the nurses said it is not a concern until they are at regular intervals and more than 4 in an hour

Firemanswife11 · August 2014

IME BH feels like my stomach is "falling asleep." Kind of like how pp said it feels like a flushing kind of feeling almost. Haven't had a contraction that I'm aware of but I have had a lot of menstrual-like cramps as of late.

JJsMum · August 2014

SusieBW said: If I remember right from being pregnant with DD, BH was more like localized belly tightening, and real contractions would usually stop me in my tracks and I felt them more broadly than just my belly.

Definitely touch base with your doctor, though. good luck!
***

This is similar to mine. My BH can range from a localized tightening of my belly (sometimes the top or off to one side or the other, etc.), an all over tightening, or simply a 'runner's cramp' type feeling in my side. Sometimes they take my breath away and I have to breath through them, but there's not really any pain associated with them, just discomfort.

Contractions are, for me, a whole body experience. They are regular, timeable, and get closer together/longer. Contractions make me want to sit on the lav and not have to think about my kegal or rectal muscles.

Edit: Damn quote fail

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