Braxton Hicks?

[CY]

I am currently 16.5 wks along and since a couple of days ago I have been
feeling what I think are Braxton Hicks. I didn't have them with DD (but was
having real contractions at 25 wks), so I am not sure if that's what it is.
They seem to happen way more if I have to pee. Is that common? They feel
like my stomach gets hard, mostly they are not painful and last for maybe 20
seconds or so. Is that what it is? Should I mention to my OB (appt on 10th
Jan)? Or does it just go with the territory. I am particularly nervouse
because it seems early and I am very anxious to avoid going on bedrest this
time and early labor...

Thx!

CY

[Kelly]

"CY" > wrote in message
news:Qt3Cd.8970$yW5.1653@fed1read02...
>I am currently 16.5 wks along and since a couple of days ago I have been
> feeling what I think are Braxton Hicks. I didn't have them with DD (but
> was
> having real contractions at 25 wks), so I am not sure if that's what it
> is.
> They seem to happen way more if I have to pee. Is that common? They feel
> like my stomach gets hard, mostly they are not painful and last for maybe
> 20
> seconds or so. Is that what it is? Should I mention to my OB (appt on
> 10th
> Jan)? Or does it just go with the territory. I am particularly nervouse
> because it seems early and I am very anxious to avoid going on bedrest
> this
> time and early labor...
>
> Thx!
>
> CY
>
>

[Kelly]

The full bladder relation is probably what is triggering these tightenings.
Sometimes the movement of baby kicking or rolling will bring some on. I,
too, had BH at 16 weeks, then they ceased, and are now in full force. Drink
lots, keep that bladder empty, and keep an eye on them. It never hurts to
mention to your provider what is going on.

Warmly,
Kelly
#4 2/12/05

"CY" > wrote in message
news:Qt3Cd.8970$yW5.1653@fed1read02...
>I am currently 16.5 wks along and since a couple of days ago I have been
> feeling what I think are Braxton Hicks. I didn't have them with DD (but
> was
> having real contractions at 25 wks), so I am not sure if that's what it
> is.
> They seem to happen way more if I have to pee. Is that common? They feel
> like my stomach gets hard, mostly they are not painful and last for maybe
> 20
> seconds or so. Is that what it is? Should I mention to my OB (appt on
> 10th
> Jan)? Or does it just go with the territory. I am particularly nervouse
> because it seems early and I am very anxious to avoid going on bedrest
> this
> time and early labor...
>
> Thx!
>
> CY
>
>

[CY]

Thanks! Baby is VERY active and my DH has felt him/her move quite a bit
over the last few days. On top of which every time I feel movement, it
produces the urge to pee, that is probably the combination that's causing
it. Hope they end soon, though, they are very irritating!
"Kelly" > wrote in message
...
> The full bladder relation is probably what is triggering these
tightenings.
> Sometimes the movement of baby kicking or rolling will bring some on. I,
> too, had BH at 16 weeks, then they ceased, and are now in full force.
Drink
> lots, keep that bladder empty, and keep an eye on them. It never hurts to
> mention to your provider what is going on.
>
> Warmly,
> Kelly
> #4 2/12/05
>
> "CY" > wrote in message
> news:Qt3Cd.8970$yW5.1653@fed1read02...
> >I am currently 16.5 wks along and since a couple of days ago I have been
> > feeling what I think are Braxton Hicks. I didn't have them with DD (but
> > was
> > having real contractions at 25 wks), so I am not sure if that's what it
> > is.
> > They seem to happen way more if I have to pee. Is that common? They
feel
> > like my stomach gets hard, mostly they are not painful and last for
maybe
> > 20
> > seconds or so. Is that what it is? Should I mention to my OB (appt on
> > 10th
> > Jan)? Or does it just go with the territory. I am particularly
nervouse
> > because it seems early and I am very anxious to avoid going on bedrest
> > this
> > time and early labor...
> >
> > Thx!
> >
> > CY
> >
> >
>
>

[Anne Rogers]

>I am currently 16.5 wks along and since a couple of days ago I have been
> feeling what I think are Braxton Hicks. I didn't have them with DD (but
> was
> having real contractions at 25 wks), so I am not sure if that's what it
> is.
> They seem to happen way more if I have to pee. Is that common? They feel
> like my stomach gets hard, mostly they are not painful and last for maybe
> 20
> seconds or so. Is that what it is? Should I mention to my OB (appt on
> 10th
> Jan)? Or does it just go with the territory. I am particularly nervouse
> because it seems early and I am very anxious to avoid going on bedrest
> this
> time and early labor...


I think as they are short and not painful that they really are not a
problem, obviously minimising them is a good thing, so keep drinking plenty
of water and going to the toilet regularly. There is no specific need to
mentioned them to your OB particularly if you think they would overreact. On
the other hand, they might be able to tell you when you should be worried.

Cheers

Anne

[Unadulterated Me]

CY wrote:

> I didn't have them with DD (but was
> having real contractions at 25 wks)

Braxton Hicks are real contractions.
The uterus contracts all the time, even when not pregnant, a contracting
uterus is normal...it's what it does.
Some women just get them more frequently and more stronger, or are more
aware of them, than others.

Andrea

[Anne Rogers]

> Braxton Hicks are real contractions.
> The uterus contracts all the time, even when not pregnant, a contracting
> uterus is normal...it's what it does.
> Some women just get them more frequently and more stronger, or are more
> aware of them, than others.

though when pregnant most medical people say contractions for contractions
that dilate and something else for ones that don't, I heard the word
tightenings used a lot, which seemed to dismiss the fact that they * hurt,
even if they weren't doing anything, they were a problem to me, but not to
the baby.

[[email protected]]

I don't blame you for being vigilant, especially since you mention you
had bed rest and early labor last time.

I think you should mention it to your OB just to be on the safe side,
but if they are irregular I don't think they are anything to worry
about.

Make sure you drink lots (and pee lots!)

Elle
EDD 2/16/2005

[Kelly]

Yes, they can be irritating. When you get further along, they are good
practice-when you feel one, especially a *good* one, visualize what you will
do when you are having labor contractions.

Hang in there,
Kelly
#4 2/12/05

"CY" > wrote in message
news:Sx5Cd.8982$yW5.4554@fed1read02...
> Thanks! Baby is VERY active and my DH has felt him/her move quite a bit
> over the last few days. On top of which every time I feel movement, it
> produces the urge to pee, that is probably the combination that's causing
> it. Hope they end soon, though, they are very irritating!
> "Kelly" > wrote in message
> ...
>> The full bladder relation is probably what is triggering these
> tightenings.
>> Sometimes the movement of baby kicking or rolling will bring some on. I,
>> too, had BH at 16 weeks, then they ceased, and are now in full force.
> Drink
>> lots, keep that bladder empty, and keep an eye on them. It never hurts
>> to
>> mention to your provider what is going on.
>>
>> Warmly,
>> Kelly
>> #4 2/12/05
>>
>> "CY" > wrote in message
>> news:Qt3Cd.8970$yW5.1653@fed1read02...
>> >I am currently 16.5 wks along and since a couple of days ago I have been
>> > feeling what I think are Braxton Hicks. I didn't have them with DD
>> > (but
>> > was
>> > having real contractions at 25 wks), so I am not sure if that's what it
>> > is.
>> > They seem to happen way more if I have to pee. Is that common? They
> feel
>> > like my stomach gets hard, mostly they are not painful and last for
> maybe
>> > 20
>> > seconds or so. Is that what it is? Should I mention to my OB (appt on
>> > 10th
>> > Jan)? Or does it just go with the territory. I am particularly
> nervouse
>> > because it seems early and I am very anxious to avoid going on bedrest
>> > this
>> > time and early labor...
>> >
>> > Thx!
>> >
>> > CY
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>

[CY]

Well, I guess I should say pre-term labor contractions that I was medicated
to stop (and then went on to have a full-term healthy baby:) ) So I guess I
am concerned that I would't know the difference between BH and "regular"
contractions that are changing my cervix??
"Unadulterated Me" > wrote in message
...
> CY wrote:
>
> > I didn't have them with DD (but was
> > having real contractions at 25 wks)
>
> Braxton Hicks are real contractions.
> The uterus contracts all the time, even when not pregnant, a contracting
> uterus is normal...it's what it does.
> Some women just get them more frequently and more stronger, or are more
> aware of them, than others.
>
> Andrea

[Anne Rogers]

> Well, I guess I should say pre-term labor contractions that I was
> medicated
> to stop (and then went on to have a full-term healthy baby:) ) So I guess
> I
> am concerned that I would't know the difference between BH and "regular"
> contractions that are changing my cervix??

read my post on distiguising irritable uterus from preterm labour, it's
difficult, very difficult, preterm labour would progress, but you don't want
to wait to see if it does because then it might be too late, the only way to
tell for sure is to check the cervix, and that usually means a trip to L&D
and then even if it is just BH/irritable uterus/whatever people over react

basically you are stuck between a rock and a hard place! (do you have that
saying in the US?)

I'm feeling a bit clueless here, I've been really struggling this morning
with painful contractions, whilst I would really appreciate some pain relief
I don't want to go near a hospital, grrr

[CY]

Hey Anne,

I've been following your progress with great interest because we are at
about the same stage and experiencing similar syptoms, though mine don't
seem to be at the same intensity as yours.

During my last pg they did say I had an irritable uterus, but it was never
"official" and I was medicated anyway. I plan to mention this to my OB on
Monday as I don't want to go down the road of weekly L&D visits again
either. I sympathize with you. And I REALLY don't want to be on bedrest
again either. Yep, we are stuck between a rock and a hard place (are you
British? I am but I live in the US and I think they have that expression!)
with regards to whether mention or not. I don't know how to handle it
either.

When's your EDD again?? Mine's June 16th ish...

Thanks for your response...
CY
"Anne Rogers" > wrote in message
news:1104971754.c74ffaa2f542c10be40d885930e2b1cc@t eranews...
> > Well, I guess I should say pre-term labor contractions that I was
> > medicated
> > to stop (and then went on to have a full-term healthy baby:) ) So I
guess
> > I
> > am concerned that I would't know the difference between BH and "regular"
> > contractions that are changing my cervix??
>
> read my post on distiguising irritable uterus from preterm labour, it's
> difficult, very difficult, preterm labour would progress, but you don't
want
> to wait to see if it does because then it might be too late, the only way
to
> tell for sure is to check the cervix, and that usually means a trip to L&D
> and then even if it is just BH/irritable uterus/whatever people over react
>
> basically you are stuck between a rock and a hard place! (do you have that
> saying in the US?)
>
> I'm feeling a bit clueless here, I've been really struggling this morning
> with painful contractions, whilst I would really appreciate some pain
relief
> I don't want to go near a hospital, grrr
>
>

[Anne Rogers]

> During my last pg they did say I had an irritable uterus, but it was never
> "official" and I was medicated anyway. I plan to mention this to my OB on
> Monday as I don't want to go down the road of weekly L&D visits again
> either. I sympathize with you. And I REALLY don't want to be on bedrest
> again either. Yep, we are stuck between a rock and a hard place (are you
> British? I am but I live in the US and I think they have that expression!)
> with regards to whether mention or not. I don't know how to handle it
> either.
>
> When's your EDD again?? Mine's June 16th ish...

I'm working with June 14th, so we really are belly buddies :-)

It seems in England they are much less likely to medicate, I wasn't
medicated at all last time, just in pain, I did quite a bit of bedrest, for
pain relief, I could do that because I wasn't working and it was my first.

Big differences this time, this had started at least 10 weeks sooner, last
time it was 26 weeks, I was jumping off the sofa every 4 minutes to deal
with contractions and my hubbie is like "Anne are you sure you're not in
premature labour" and I'm, like "no I'm not sure, so what do we do?" which
was our first trip to L&D. I never effaced or dilated, though I did soften a
bit. This time I have a toddler to deal with, so bedrest is difficult, I'll
have to do it if it is necessary, but I can't do it for pure pain relief,
but then I do wonder if the rest last time was what kept DS inside til 37
weeks.
Big difference is I am in Korea, where the medical system is US in style,
however my OB is British trained, so that might make a difference.

At the moment I'm just petrified, today has been really bad painwise and I
can't cope with much more of this, but I'm only 17 weeks, which means 20
weeks to go til term.

Oh well, I guess for the moment I will just have to press on, I'm planning
to get some Magnesium as Jenrose suggested, but I don't want to order any
til something has arrived safely at this address, which hasn't happened so
far.

Anne