Contractions...

[marciebaby]

So I'm about 34 weeks pregnant and I'm having lots of Braxton Hicks contractions, and I generally just ignore them, but I've been having so many lately that are so painful. I feel like when I finally have this baby I'll be exhausted from being in labor for 2 whole months.

I've been to the doctor. My cervix is closed, the FFN test was negative, which is a good indication I won't go into "real" labor anytime soon. I get a shot of terbutaline now and then to slow my contractions down. They were 3-4 minutes apart for 7 hours last night, so I had to spend the night in the hospital hooked up to machinery. But I'm tired. And I want to rest. And yes, I am drinking plenty of water.

Is my body just freaky or can anyone relate? This just seems so wrong to me.

The doctor just keeps saying: "Call if you have more than 4 or 5 an hour." Geez, I would have to call 5 times a day.

 

[Linnis]

I have no idea about if that's normal as I'm only 13 weeks.

I do hear you about tops. I CAN'T STAND anything tight on my belly...makes my belly button hurt. Bought my first maternity top.

 

[Athene]

Have you been doing a lot of heavy lifting? I've heard that can trigger of Braxton Hicks.

 

[Savedthroughfaith]

I started getting BH at about 30 weeks. A LOT.
I even had what they called "false labor" about 5 days before my daughter was born. My doctor told me this is completely normal. But it was sooooo frustrating and uncomfortable. Especially near the end when I was READY to have the baby, and I kept getting all excited because I kept thinking "This is it!" - but then it wasn't. So I hear you! And I have no wisdom except to tell you to try and relax and take it easy. I know - easier said than done!!!
I'll pray for you to be able to get some rest!

 

[marciebaby]

This is so irritating...

My doctor said that I need to start being seen weekly at the clinic. But when I called today to make an appointment, the receptionist told me they didn't have anything available until the middle of May.

I just told him that Dr. J said that I need to be seen weekly, so he forwarded my call to the nurse who interrogated me about what the doctor said and why he said it, then told me they might be able to "squeeze me in" if I came in Tuesday morning before any other patients came, but they're not sure what they would do about next week, or the following week, or the following week.

I'm am just baffled, and angry. What kind of OB clinic doesn't have weekly appointments available for women who are in their last months of pregnancy?

 

[Linnis]

I'd be mad too. It's not just your OB, most secretaries act like they are oh so powerful and let it go to their heads.

I'd speak to the doctor about it when you go in. Tell him that the office staff isn't making it easy to get weekly appts like he'd like.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

I always had lots BH ctx very early on. I never really thought anything of them - good exercise for the big day

 

[Cright]

My best friend is pregnant with her 4th, and she's 36 1/2 weeks and has been having BH since 32 weeks. When ever she gets pressure down there along w/ the BH, she makes sure she can lay down on the couch and put her feet up. It usually takes the pressure off, and also slows down her contractions.

This happened with her 2nd and 3rd at about 35 and 36 weeks. Her first she only had them at about 38 weeks and delivered only one day late.

 

[Athene]

What to BH contractions feel like . . I don't think I had them with my first two, but a couple of days ago I had a mild period type pain followed by an urge to do a number two, but when I went to the loo the feeling went away . . could that be it?

 

[Naomi4Christ]

What to BH contractions feel like . . I don't think I had them with my first two, but a couple of days ago I had a mild period type pain followed by an urge to do a number two, but when I went to the loo the feeling went away . . could that be it?

You have BH ctx throughout your life, since the uterus is a muscle that needs exercise like any other. But you can't feel them outside of pregnancy.

They feel exactly like labour ctx, with little or no pain, and with no recognisable pattern (they are not at regular intervals or of regular length).

As for feeling like period pain, I'd have to say no - just because they only last for 20 - 30 seconds, and often have no pain at all.

 

[marciebaby]

What to BH contractions feel like . . I don't think I had them with my first two, but a couple of days ago I had a mild period type pain followed by an urge to do a number two, but when I went to the loo the feeling went away . . could that be it?

I think generally it just feels like your uterus tightening. If you rest your hand over your uterus, you'll feel it get as hard as a rock, then soften again.