Cramps & Braxton Hicks.. Preterm Labor??

Most midwives will tell you to drink a big glass of water, get in a warm bath and drink a small glass of red wine. If the contractions get harder or more close together, call the doc.

Hi M.-
I was in your shoes three months ago! Pregnant with my third, I spent the entire month of October thinking he'd come any day. I even went to the hospital twice, thinking it was the real thing. They hurt every bit as bad as the ones that made the first two kids come out, but didn't cause any dilation, so they sent me home. He finally came Oct. 30, 6 days before his due date. On my second false alarm, I was frustrated to tears because I felt stupid. I asked the doctor, "How will I know when it's real? What signs should I look for?" She said, "You'll know." (which only made me feel more frustrated and stupid--I'd already been through two labors & deliveries, and I thought I knew...that's why I went to the hospital!). But when the time finally came, it was painfully obvious--literally. The most helpful advice I got came from an OB who'd had 6 kids herself. She said that Braxton-Hicks contractions often get stronger with each pregnancy. No one had ever told me that before. So, when you feel them, get a big glass of water, and get off your feet for a while. Watch TV or read a book to get your mind off them, and don't try to time them unless they get way more obvious. They'll probably go away eventually. If they don't, and they get really strong, then it's time to call. Good luck!
:-)
M.

I know its a late response to your request and just disreguard this if you've had your kiddo. I'm a labor and delivery nurse and from what I see, unfortunately, you can have pretty intense Braxton Hicks and can be a cm dilated for weeks. What you want to pay attention to is the reglarity and increasing intensity. If the contractions that you have are strong, but random and spuradic, then its probably not time. hope this helps! Congrats!

Being 1cm at 36 weeks doesn't necessarily mean labor is coming right away. With a subsequent baby (anything after the first), it is normal to dilate a little during the later weeks of pregnancy.

It is normal to notice Braxton-Hicks contractions earlier with subsequent pregnancies. Some women notice them in the early second trimester.

Weather shifts and over-exertion can cause contractions to become more regular and strong. So, I would suggest that when you get these contractions to stop what you are doing and try to rest. And, above all else, drink lots of water. Being well hydrated, resting adequately and also soaking in a warm bath can help keep these contractions at bay. If you do all three of these things (especially the bath) and the contractions don't go away, labor could be coming soon. But, it is not necessarily a true indication either.

For 'true' labor, watch for contractions that are at least 45 seconds long and coming at regular intervals. If you have really fast labors (which with your second, it sounds like you might), you need to be extra observant as things can progress rapidly.

A due date is just an estimate. It very well could be that you are further along in your pregnancy than the doctors think you are. If you can get to 37 weeks, most doctor's offices and hospitals will consider your baby at full term and there will be less fuss over the baby being early.

If you have any more questions, please feel free to contact me. I am a childbirth educator and doula.

It is hard to tell how much longer you have. They say that false labor usually happens 1 week before you actually go into real labor. That happened to me. But every pregnancy is different! Just remember that when you cannot sleep through the Braxton Hicks Contractions and they are consisten with being less than 8 or 5 minutes apart (I forget) for at least an hour, then you're probably in labor. My contractions were 7 minutes apart and were painful...I wouldn't be able to sleep through it. So I went to the hospital, and they told me I was only 1 1/2 cm dialated and was not in labor. I told them the contractions hurt and I know I am in labor. So they had me walk around for an hour...that will either speed labor along or if it was false labor it would have slowed it down. Low and behold, they checked me and I was 3cm. I had the baby that night. Mommy knows! Congratulations and good luck!

It does sound maybe a LITTLE early for labor, but I will tell you my stories. With both of my girls, I had very long Braxton Hicks. With the first, it was 5 days, with the second 12 days! Yeah!! They were never regular so there was nothing the dr. could do, but there is hope! When my really hard labor came, it was very short...4 hours with the first, 2 with the second. It's like your body is doing it more slowly with the Braxton Hicks so that when the hard stuff hits, it won't take as long.

On the down side, you think you're gonna go crazy!! LOL My mother came and stayed with me, helped walk, etc. The good thing is, you are close! LOL As my grandma would say, "you won't be pregnant forever!" My advice is to rest up...don't try to push yourself because you are getting ready for the big day. But, also, rest assurred because this could really help the hard labor along.

Hang in there, Mom....and congratulations!!!

Well, as a mom of five...my first thought is RELAX and enjoy only having 2 right now.....take some tylenol to take the edge off and only worry if it gets worse, lasts longer, etc. Oh ya, and you better have that bag packed and the nursery ready! Good Luck!

I had Braxton Hicks a lot near the end of my pregnancy with both kids. I would have to slow down walking and wait for the discomfort to pass several weeks before my kids were born. With my second pregnancy, I started having Braxton Hicks-like tightening in the 1st trimester. Everything went fine, and I was only a little early with each (less than a week). Also, I just had a friend who went for a check-up and was 5 cm dilated, and still didn't give birth for a few days...and it was her 4th. :) You just never know! :)

I am 35 weeks today with my third baby. I too have had a lot of BH contractions with this pregnancy--usually at the end of the day. I have also had cramping and what I would describe as mild "real" contractions (I never had these with my first two). My doctor told me not to worry unless I have more than four painful contractions in an hour. I was checked last week, and I am not dilated at all. I suppose you could go either way--some people dilate quickly once they start and others can go weeks at 1 cm. I hope your baby hangs in there for at least another week or so and that you stay as comfortable as possible. Congrats and good luck!

I had a lot of Braxton Hicks with my third baby too - I thought for sure he was going to be 3-4 weeks early, and even had one false alarm. Mine would often happen in the evening and then stop after I fell asleep. I was 3 centimeters dilated for about three weeks before I went into true labor (and when I did finally go into labor, it was a nice easy, quick labor!) Good luck.

I had lots of braxton hicks contractions throughout the second half of my pregnancy but went past my due date. I noticed that I had fewer of them if I made sure to drink lots of water.

Ok so you need to call the doctor bc you could be in labor not just having braxten hicks contraction. You need to let the doctor see you bc if this is your 3 you might have the baby a few week early I have a 4 yr old and twins the twins came at 34 wks and 5 days and well my oldest came a day early you never know when a baby wants to show he or her face. Yes I had this same problem with my twins they were due in september and came in august bc I started having contraction like you and had lower back pain and they said it was time and I was dilated to 5 when I went in.

Congrats and Happy new Year

I had crazy Braxton Hicks with my third- like stop in my tracks and breath through it kind of contractions. I even went to the hospital with a false alarm ( I felt pretty silly being baby #3) My Dr said that with each pregnancy you feel them more and your uterus is warming up for whats to come. I hate to tell you mine just kept on the last month or so I walked around 3 cm for 3 weeks.. don't worry though it will be over sooner than you think! Good luck and congratulations!!

Hi M., my daughter is due the 9th of Jan. and she's been doing this for about 3 weeks now. The doc. told her that it's just her body getting ready for birth. This is her 3 child, and she also has them very fast. Her last app. was Friday, and she's dilated at 2, so I would'nt worry too much about it, but if the pain gets too unbearable, my advice is for you to get to the hospital..