Braxton-Hicks Contractions

Same thing happened in my second pregnancy and they said that the baby was moving too much and causing contractions so they put me on a low dose sleeping pill to get the baby to sleep more. Good Luck and congrats!

I had the same deal. I went to my doc and she said drink LOTS of water. Like a gallon. It wasn't fun but it worked. And she said to not be stressed out....like that's easy!

All the suggestions given are great and hopefully you have contacted your provider by now,just want to add that BH contractions are sporadic tightening of the uterine muscles known as practice contractions making you ready for birth later on,they should be infrequent/irregular and painless.To allevate BH you can do the following :
1.change position,take a walk
2.drink plenty of water
3.get some sleep/rest
4.empty your bladder
5.avoid stress,relax by deep breathings or music
hope the rest of your pregnancy goes well,good luck.

I had them quite often in the last couple of months of pregnancy, on and off daily. There were also nights when I would have them every 5 minutes for hours. My OB said it was nothing to worry about, that it was just the body getting prepared. I thought I was in labor a couple of times but it finally passed. I got them while stressed and while totally relaxed. Sometimes they even hurt, but now I know there's no problem distinguishing them from real labor contractions! I do remember if I lifted something heavier than I should have, they would come immediately.

I had lots of B-H with both babies. My Doula said they're only a problem if you start to get them every __ minutes (regular). When they're irregular, it's unlikely that they're regular contractions.

They do work to make you ready earlier, though, so you're not likely to go the full 40 weeks if you're getting a lot.

Congratulations and good luck!

I had them with all three of my kids. As long as they aren't coming every five min. or so (like normal labor pains would), no worries. I'd get them if I walked too much so my wonderful hubby would do the grocery shopping for me and help me out any way he could. If you get one, just stop what you're doing and see if it goes away. Not sure about the stress but they are totally normal.

Try drinking LOTS of water and then laying down on your left side for a little bit. See if they slow down. If they do they are prob Braxton Hicks. If they don't you will want to call your dr and possibly get into his office asap to make sure you are not starting preterm labor. Stress can definatly bring them on so lay down and try to relax. Being dehydrated can also bring them on. I would call the dr if they don't slow down because it is always better safe then sorry.
Good luck!
C.

drink lots of water and see your doctor...

Good luck
R.

i know with my daughter they got more frequent when i got closer to dilivery. i would have them every 5 mins but they never got strong or really painful (some would hurt). i wouldnt worry much unless they get consistant and like 3 mins apart and also painful. good luck.

As others have said, dehydration can cause this, and your body needs lots of water during the 3rd trimester! Try drinking more water and see if it helps a bit! But if ever you're in doubt about anything, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor about it! That's what they are there for ;)

yes, drink lots of water and rest.
tell your OB/GYN also.

Braxton-hicks, for me, was a REAL tightening/cramping of my belly... and it was not comfortable. It happened mostly when I was over-taxing myself or on my feet a lot or standing a lot.

You should rest.

All the best,
Susan

*Drink water* also lay down on your left side...more oxygen to you and baby, slow down EVERY step helps. Quit stressing...all in good time. If they gradually get stronger and more frequent w/water and rest, then get to your dr. today. Try not to pick up 19mo as much...uses belly/back muscles, sit and have him/her get up with you. Enjoy the last bit of time left.

I had Braxton Hicks like mad! I actually would get them every couple of minutes and sometimes for hours. I thought I was in labor twice! If you should not have more than 4 in an hour I blew past that record numerous times. : )

I had pretty consistant "braxton hicks" contractions from about 34 wks till i delivered at 39 wks. Yes, stress will make them worse, so will dehydration so make sure you are drinking lots of water. Mine got so bad that I thought I was in labor and went to the hospital twice at 35 wks, and at 37 wks. The nurses thought I was in labor too as the contraction were precisly 3 mins apart and lasted that way for about 24 hrs. Everyone, even my own ob/gyn thought this was kind of wierd and didn't know what to do, luckily I lived very close to the hospital so my ob/gyn let mestay at home and told me to go back if they got worse. Anyhow, everybody is different, and every pregnancy is different (this was my second and they were night and day compared to each other) So talk to your dr and figure out a game plan. Good Luck! and congrats!

For me, walking too much for too long, or straining hard when walking (like uphill) brings them on. And it seems to depend what muscles/nerves the baby is laying on. I'm 37 weeks pregnant right now with our 3rd, and this one is "riding higher" than the last. So I haven't had too many Braxton Hicks yet. The last one I had horrible Braxton Hicks all the time, even when I just tried to do grocery shopping, because that baby was so low on my ligaments. So I just had to take is easy.

HI,
I had them all the time will all 3 of my pregnancies that were always more than 4 in an hour. Stress or over doing it does bring them on. Listen to your body, take a break, drink LOTS of water. If they aren't hurting and just tight don't worry about them just rest.

Definitely talk with your doctor, but they are pretty common. I had them with all pregnancies and they generally started for me around 16 weeks each time.

Good luck. You're in the home stretch!

-M

They will come more often if you're dehydrated, make sure to drink plenty of water and lie down on your left side. Telling your doctor is a good idea. Good luck! P.S. When they become real contractions there is usually no mistaking the differece. Then again, some women have less pain or tolorate it better than others, so it's always best to keep your doctor informed like you plan to. If they are concerned, they can start doing nonstress tests and/or check you to make sure you're not dilating. It's always possible you're further along than they once thought.