Braxton Hicks Contractions - Montgomery,IL

I never realized what people meant when they said things like "oh trust me, you'll KNOW when you're having real contractions" until I went through both Braxton-Hicks and then later, the real thing. There is definitely a difference! My Braxton-Hicks felt really tight, hard, and were uncomfortable and went away when I would either rehydrate or change positions (sitting down to laying down or vice versa). My real contractions were, let's just say, incredibly stronger and no amount of movement would have made them 'go away'.

My baby got really quiet the last few weeks --there isn't as much room for them to move!

The Braxton Hicks start coming every day near the end, but they are just "practice" contractions. You will also get more of them the more active you are. They are normal, and some say a good sign that labor will be quick.

My labor started with a really bad back ache for 5 days, and then my water broke. I think it's different for each person. But, from my Bradley class, I can tell you that labor starts when (1) the contractions become more regular, occurring every X minutes and (2) they start coming closer together. Until then, it's all false starts and totally normal.

Stay well hydrated. Braxton Hicks can be a sign of dehydration..why we get muscle cramps if we exercise dehydrated, it is the same thing. Drink 2L of water and see if they go away, I know, it is hard with a baby sitting on your bladder, but it will work. Smart Water has electrolytes in them without any added sugar or sweeteners, which can cause contractions too (or too much of it). There is a pattern that you should be counting to see if they are moving so many times per hour, I forget what that number is, I am sure you can find it online. Drink a little orange juice to get the baby stimulated. Also lift your legs up above your heart when you get home at night if you have any swelling too, but it is relaxing needless to say.

Good Luck!
J. W. MPH
Wellness Educator/Lifestyle and Wellness Coach
Master Trainer for Healthy Moms(R) Fitness
www.healthymomsfitness.com

I'm sure you are fine. Not to be an alarmist but... I would get checked out. My so-called "Braxton Hicks" were actually contractions that were 3 minutes apart, at 30 weeks. Those who say that you will "Know" when you are in labor.... I say.... not always! I had fairly easy deliveries, with both of my children. (I was in labor 3 1/2 hours with each of my children). It's very easy for them to hook you up to a monitor at the hospital to check. Stay hydrated. See your dr. if you are concerned - always better safe than sorry and don't worry about bothering a dr. at an inconvenient time. You are not too early to go into labor. Best of luck to you.

Go to Labor and Delivery asap. You can never be to safe!

Hello Mom. I too am a Mom of two. With my second child, and not my first, I had BH contractions. I delivered both kids vaginally, one with medication for pain and one without pain meds. In comparing all of the feelings/pain, I truly feel that BH contractions were worse than natural labor for me. They are perfectly normal and the more you can relax the better right now. Also, as long as they are very sporatic and not becomming more increasingly patterned, there is nothing to worry about. As for the lack of movement, I am sorry about your cousin, but the baby has much less room than it used to so movements will be less frequent just because of that. Thanks and good luck.

Same thing happen to me with my third child I was experiencing braxton hicks along with a decreased in movement. My midwife didn't think it was a big deal I was due to get a induced in a few days so I just waited. When I went in to get induced they hooked me up to that machine that monitors the baby's heartbeat and found out the everytime I experienced a braxton hicks contraction the baby's heartbeat went down and struggled to come back up. I ended up having an emergency c-section . Come to find out the cord was wrapped around her body and everytime I had a "contraction" the corded tightened dangerously around her body. I kept getting told how lucky I was by the staff at the hospital that I was there that morning and they were able to catch it. I do feel very lucky and I also was pissed for a while at my midwife for blowing me off and myself for not insisting that someone take me seriously when I knew something was not right w/ my baby. Having said that either insist on having your doctor monitor the baby to make sure everything is okay or go to labor and delivery and get checked out that way asap. You can never be too safe.

There is nothing wrong with going to the hospital to find out. Worst case- your wrong. I always prefer to go with mother's intuition over all else. I had a similiar thing with my middle child. I was in back labor, so it's better safe than sorry. Good luck to you and your little one. God bless!

hello! we're in the same boat! i am pregnant with #3 also and due january 19th. i went into labor with the first and was induced early with the second. am waiting to be induced next monday if this baby doesn't arrive before then.....i'm just ready to get him out. i'm so uncomfortable!!! hope you are feeling well.

anyway, i am having a lot of braxton hicks and they are very uncomfortable and wake me up at night also, but, you'll know if it turns into real labor. my baby is active at times, but, there are long periods of inactivity right now, too. i would try not to worry too much and know that if real labor starts, you will know it. it is much more consistent than braxton hicks and they turn from uncomfortable to PAINFUL!

good luck!!!

You know what is normal and what isn't. If you feel something is not right, go to the doctor. It will ease your mind. You are putting a lot of stress on you and your baby. Go, go, go.

I am a mother of 4. I had strong braxton hicks with my last 2. They felt pretty real and some lasted 1 hour or so and then quit. One baby was on time and one late. If the baby isn't moving around try changing positions, walking or eating and try to pay attention to any movements. There is less room in there to move now. My last one didn't move as much towards the end. If there isn't any movement at all, I would call the doctor. Good luck.

The Braxton Hicks contractions are what dialated me for my first baby. My doctor that I was a "scared first Mom" unitl she checked me and I had went from a 2 at 36 weeks to a almost 4 two days later! Can you tell if you are dialated? I always knew when I started dialating and thinning with all three of mine. Things just don't feel "right" down there. And if I remember right, I think the baby will slow down and be less active before labor begins. Kinda like building their energy levels before work begins. Good Luck! & Congradulations!

Definitely make sure you are staying well hydrated as this can cause you to contract. The baby will move less at this point because there just isn't that much room in there anymore. That being said, if you don't feel the baby move for a couple hours, drink some oj, have a candy bar and go lay down on your left side for an hour. If you still feel nothing go into the doctor to be put on the fetal monitors and get checked. It will ease your fears and there is nothing wrong with being overly cautious. Everything is probably great, but why make yourself sick worrying about it. You have your own instincts and should trust them, if you truly feel something is wrong, don't feel any fetal movement, or are having painful contractions go in. You may be dialating and not know it. I say better safe than sorry, your dcotor should have no problem at all erring on the side of caution.

Hi T.,
As a nurse midwife, I would advise you to be seen this morning by your physician. If you cannot be seen in the office, you should go to the hospital asap. It is always best to be cautious. Pack you bag for the hospital.
Congratulations on your third baby,
D.

My suggestion is to call your OB and tell them that you want to be checked out. They may send you to the hospital for a brief test period for monitering. They may do an ultrasound. Tell them exactly what you said here. You feel the baby has been too quiet and want to make sure that there isn't any other problems other than BH. Don't show up at the ER all they will do is send you down to the maternity ward for the exact same thing and this will save the ER visit cost. ER's typically won't do something for you unless you are bleeding profusely or if it is actually you that is in medical trouble. If you have a relationship with an OB use it.

I think it's completely normal for the baby to "slow down" at this point...there is so little room in there. I had Braxton Hicks with my 2nd for weeks before he was born. During true labor your contractions will be petty regular and won't stop if you walk around and drink lots of water. I was always told to drink s full glass of water and walk around...If they are Braxton Hicks they will change or stop all together. Good Luck!

i had a few scare during my pregnacy and everyone told me it would be okay but i was worried so i called my doc and asked if they could hook me up to the monitors to make sure everyting was ok. you dont have to go to the hospital for this they have the monitors at the doc office and they can hook you up and check things out it only take bout an hour or less. all else you could go to your hospital to labor and delivery and tell them whats up and that you would like to be check they are always nice and willing to help hope this helps you

Hi T.,
Personally, I'd just go to the emergency room, provided you have insurance, and have them check you out. So many things can cause the contractions and the fact that the baby is quiet now when there is normally a lot of activity sounds like it should be checked out. That happened to me and at the hospital with the monitor on they found the baby was going into distress (which could be caused by various factors) so they did an emergency C-Section and found that my uteris was paper thin hence the baby's quietness. My thought is to get yourself some peace of mind and go have it checked out. What's the worst that will happen... they will send you home to wait until your delivery date. Best wishes, K. Hall

With my 3rd...it was the same. PLanned c-section..I too had never been in labor. All night I was in pain, could not sleep or move. At 4 in the morning I discussed with my hubby if he should stay home from work...we decided I was feeling better. I called the Dr. in the morning, I made and appnt, had my mom come watch the kids, said I'd be home in a couple of hours. The Dr. at first thought maybe I had the flu, but hooked me up to a monitor to be safe...Well, I was having contractions every 2 minutes and had the baby via c-section as soon as my hubby could get there. Needless to say, I was not home in a couple of hours...and drove myself to the hospital in labor!
Call your Dr. and get seen..better safe the sorry