Braxton Hicks?

HeyStVincent · September 2014

So, I do maternal/child health nursing, and I feel like I should know the answer to this question, but I don't.

Has anyone else here had BH earlier than end of second tri? I'm 16 weeks, FTM, and for the past few days have been having what I can only describe as BH contractions. They're random, irregular, and they don't last more than 10-15 seconds. They're triggered by having a too-full bladder, laying on my right side for too long (at night when I'm sleeping), and needing to drink water. I feel it as an uncomfortable/somewhat painful tightening of my uterus. When I have it I can feel my uterus, and it feels rock hard.

Anyway, I'm not too concerned because I have no other problems - no leaking of fluid, vaginal bleeding, increase in pain from cramping, it doesn't go to my back, etc. The contractions/cramping don't increase in frequency or intensity. So, there doesn't seem to be too much to be alarmed about. I've always been taught, however, that women usually don't pick-up on/notice their BH until at least after 20 weeks - especially for a FTM.

I'm going to ask my OB about them at my next appt (I see the NP Monday AM for my quad screen), but I'm wondering if anyone else has felt BH this early (either currently or in a previous pregnancy). Thanks!

jennjilljo · September 2014

I've heard of people having them in the 2nd trimester but I thought it was always after 20 weeks. I barely know what BH feel like, though. I didn't have them until the last week of my pregnancy with DS.

AF9211 · September 2014

Yes. I feel them the same times you say you do...specifically when my bladder is full. It's usually on the right side and is just an uncomfortable hardening/tightening of my belly for a few seconds. They're not nearly as severe or uncomfortable as they were during my late 2nd/3rd tri of my pregnancy with DD, and if I was a FTM I probably wouldn't even know what they were just yet.

HeyStVincent · September 2014

Well, that's good to know that someone else is experiencing it the same way I am @AF9211!

I'm wondering if some people are just more sensitive to the sensation than others.

AF9211 · September 2014

Could be! I even thought to myself when I felt it for the first time (either late last week or early this week) "there's no way I'm having BH this early." But there's really no denying that feeling.

ordinary1 · September 2014

With my first they started around fifteen weeks; this time is no different.

AF9211 · September 2014

Or maybe since you're around pregnant & new moms all day, you're more aware of what to look for/expect than your typical FTM?

HeyStVincent · September 2014

@AF9211 - yeah, that could be it too! It certainly doesn't help the situation, that's for sure!

mishka29 · September 2014

I had them early and frequently with my first and the started last week, 18 weeks, this time around.

chickyclg · September 2014

My OB told me that if I experience any contractions before 24 wks to call them asap so I could come for a same day appt or they would let L&D at the hospital know I was coming.

Maybe it is because of the issues I've had so far, or the twins, but they always ask when I call if I could possibly be experiencing contractions.

cinnamonsugar · September 2014

If I could rename week 16 (this week) it would be BRAXTON HELLCKS. You're right, they don't hurt, but damn they are irritating. I do primary care nursing, and when I'm running around a lot they come more frequently.
Try to take it easy, Momma!

thegoodpotato · September 2014

I think I've had about 5 BH contractions throughout all of my pregnancies. The ones I get are really big spasms, though, that'll double me over for a minute.... and I get one all by its lonesome.

My midwife says it's weird because my labours go so fast - that I guess my uterus should be getting a lot of practice beforehand? Sorry. I'm not much help... but I don't really know what a BH feels like either.

salbabe79 · September 2014

my first pregnancy i started having BH contractions at 14 weeks, this time I started even earlier at 10 weeks. Having one as I am typing!!

mishka29 · September 2014

The way you described them is exactly how I would have described them as well. I've never heard that they are good for prepping the ute for labour but maybe it's true. I had an 8 hour labour!

lizzybean · September 2014

I have never had any BH contractions, never had them with my first at all. Good idea to mention it to your OB at your upcoming appointment.

Side note... is it weird that I cannot for the life of me remember what my contractions felt like?!?

mandamoochie · September 2014

That would make sense... with DS I had NO braxton hicks.. not one. And my labor was 38 hrs.

In other words... Please for the love of God let me get some braxton hicks this time. [-O<

WanderingA · September 2014

lizzybean said:
I have never had any BH contractions, never had them with my first at all. Good idea to mention it to your OB at your upcoming appointment.

Side note... is it weird that I cannot for the life of me remember what my contractions felt like?!?

That's the only reason we all got pregnant again

jennjilljo · September 2014

I had no idea BH served a purpose. I barely had any so I guess I should be thankful that my labor was only 12 hours.

lizzybean · September 2014

WanderingA said:

I have never had any BH contractions, never had them with my first at all. Good idea to mention it to your OB at your upcoming appointment.

Side note... is it weird that I cannot for the life of me remember what my contractions felt like?!?
That's the only reason we all got pregnant again

HAHA so true @WanderingA!! That being said, I remember the intenseness of labour, like, how it felt in my mind at least. But all of my contractions were in the hospital (induced), so I feel like they weren't as "real".

sgautschi · September 2014

With DD my first obvious BH was at 18 weeks. It was strong (not painful though).

With this one I started noticing them at 12 weeks. Sometimes they are mild, sometimes they are strong. A lot of times they are uncomfortable/painful. My uterus has issues. Baby is fine though.

AF9211 · September 2014

lizzybean said:

I have never had any BH contractions, never had them with my first at all. Good idea to mention it to your OB at your upcoming appointment.

Side note... is it weird that I cannot for the life of me remember what my contractions felt like?!?

Hahaha exactly what @wanderingA said!

And the ONLY thing I remember about my contractions was that while I was pacing back and forth in my hospital room trying to get labor to progress, the bored L&D nurses (it was 3AM) were out in the hallway giggling as they watched the Taylor Swift "Trouble" goat video. Not only did I have to listen to them snickering, but I had to hear these ridiculous screaming goats on top of it. I literally wanted to murder them.

But now that I look back, that video is effing hilarious. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you should check it out!

lizzybean · September 2014

AF9211 said:

lizzybean said:

I have never had any BH contractions, never had them with my first at all. Good idea to mention it to your OB at your upcoming appointment.

Side note... is it weird that I cannot for the life of me remember what my contractions felt like?!?

Hahaha exactly what @wanderingA said!

And the ONLY thing I remember about my contractions was that while I was pacing back and forth in my hospital room trying to get labor to progress, the bored L&D nurses (it was 3AM) were out in the hallway giggling as they watched the Taylor Swift "Trouble" goat video. Not only did I have to listen to them snickering, but I had to hear these ridiculous screaming goats on top of it. I literally wanted to murder them.

But now that I look back, that video is effing hilarious. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you should check it out!

HAha oh its the best video ever!!

ColleenS629 · September 2014

I started having contractions at 17w with my twins (irritable uterus) and even earlier with this baby. My MFM noticed them at 15 1/2 weeks during a u/s. I usually can't feel them though.

CatLadyTX · September 2014

I had them every night toward the end of the 2nd tri and 3rd tri in my first pregnancy. I thought I might have had one when I was getting up last night, but I wasn't entirely certain.

kimmykaye · September 2014

Never felt them with dd1, started feeling them in 3rd tri with dd2, started at around 18-20 weeks with dd3, this time around I've felt a few started a few weeks ago. I'm currently 15wk 4d. They definitely come around if I need to drink more water or if I've done too much that day (too active).

GPKMama · September 2014

I was having what felt like BH when my bladder was full. I mentioned it to my dr and they wanted me to come in for a urinalysis. Sure enough I had a uti. Might be worth checking out.

munchkin8590 · September 2014

I feel like I have them at least once or twice a day but I thought it was too early for Braxton Hicks Contractions. Glad to know I'm not the only one though

rosieo52 · September 2014

I wonder if what I'm feeling are Braxton Hicks. I just attributed the weird pain I'm having on and off and very random to round ligament pain. Is there anyway to tell the difference...lll have to ask doctor on Wednesday.

HeyStVincent · September 2014

@Arduenser, I think the best way to tell is by putting your hand over the area where you're having pain/discomfort/weird feeling. For me, when I have that sensation, I can also feel my uterus - the outline of it - and it's really, really hard. When the feeling goes away, so does that hardness. If you can't feel your uterus when it's happening it might be harder to distinguish between the two.

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