I am expecting my second in September and since about the 4th month, I've been feeling occasional tightness, sometimes painful, in areas across my lower stomach.
With my first, I didn't start feeling BH until my 8th month and they were obvious as to what they were. I was very aware of the contracting and releasing of the muscles and they weren't painful at all.
While I know each pregnancy is different, are the BH different too? The tightness comes on suddenly, usually after I bend over or lift something, and goes away after a few minutes. It also happens when I spend a lot of time on my feet. When I've been on my feet a lot, I also get a lot of crampy back pain with the tightness in my lower stomach.
This baby is also a pusher. He will plant his feet somewhere and push for all he is worth. Could the tightness be him pushing in protest of my bending over? I have to push back or rub the area because it hurts so much sometimes, and it doesn't feel like his feet. It feels like a broad surface. Maybe his head?
I'm going to mention all of this at my next dr's appointment, but I wanted to hear from you ladies what you thought. While I really like my dr, he can be kind of impersonal and in a rush sometimes and I wanted to know what you thought or have experienced.
My doctor said that the tightness sounded like Braxton-Hicks and that unless I started bleeding, passing fluids, or they didn't lighten up when I changed what I was doing, they weren't something to worry about. As long as I could pin-point a trigger, like I was on my feet for too long, or bent over and picked up something heavier than I should have, then usually it wasn't a problem.
All the suggestions about drinking more water and laying down were right on par with what he told me. Thank everyone!
They are probably just Braxton Hicks. With my second, I started getting them MUCH earlier than with my first. Probably nothing to worry about.
Does sound like BH to me. They can be different each time. I never had them with one or two. #3, though, ouch!! And for about 3 months. Sometimes I'd get them even just sitting. If you can do something to trigger or relieve them, then they are probably BH. Congratulations! Have fun!
Sounds to me like BH contractions. I got them starting at 14-weeks with my first and 12-weeks with my second (they were more common in my second pregnancy, but not as painful as the first). When you get a lot when you are on your feet, take a break and lay down. Call your doctor if you get more than four in an hour and you've taken a break to try to get them to calm down.
Drink more water!
AND
Put your feet up and rest a bit.
I had the same experiences in my 2nd pregnancy, and my doc told me it was very normal to experience things sooner each pregnancy. I'm now on my 3rd and I've been having every symtom in the book since my 1st trimester. tossing & turning can't sleep, peeing all the time, cramping, BH after a trip from the couch to the bathroom, hyperemesis- sever vomiting, constant bruising on my pelvic bone- doc says it's her head bouncing up and down, and now I'm on, what I call butt rest. He says 'when it hurts sit down and rest'. I'm due in Sep. also so I feel your pain. Good luck and don't wory, you'll make it through.
I have read that your uterus needs to contract to prepare for labor, like exercising the muscle. But on a different topic, if your OB is impersonal and seems rushed then get another OB! I had the same problem with my first pregnancy, my OB was terrible, he could never even remember my name without looking at my chart. He forgot to tell me that I tested positive for group B strep, thank God a nurse mentioned it in passing or I would not have known, GBS turned out to be a major medical crisis for my baby. I had such a bad experience with that OB that with my second pregnancy I switched to a CNM, or ceritfied nurse midwife, and she was so great! My experience with my care during my second pregnancy was 100X better! I just wish that I had had the courage to switch during my first pregnancy. It is your right and responciblilty to go out and find the best medical care for you and for your baby, good luck!
well, I don't know about braxton hicks, but this is also my second pregnancy and I was having painful tightening and other pains in my lower abdomen and my belly button. I asked my CNM and she felt around for a minute and we came to the conclusion that my abdomen muscles had separated prematurely. Its not so bad now, but the aches/ cramping still comes around off and on. What seemed to help for me is to use a maternity support belt. It doesn't look like much,( I got mine at Motherhood at the mall), but when I am feeling exceptionally crampy, or when I know I will be walking around or standing for a longer time I will wear it and it seems to help a lot. My baby is also a pusher (I'm due in Aug) kicker and just plain mover, so that puts a little more strain on my abs. The other thing you could consider is how you are carrying this second one. Is he sitting farther out than the last? This can ad extra strain on your lower abs and can cause more discomfort than last time. This may not be your problem, but I'd thought I'd throw the idea in the ring. Hope this helps!
Def sounds like BH to me. I got them early on in all 3 pregs. I also found being on my feet, bending over, lifting things could bring them on. Good idea to sit down and let them pass. Also, be sure you are staying well hydrated. When I was low on liquids, they would always be worse. Best of luck!
A.
C.,
I had crazy BH the entire second pregnancy, even though I didn't get them until the end in my first pregnancy. So I would say it is normal, so not to worry, but go ahead and address it at your next appointment.
Hey there - I got Braxton Hicks starting a little early at 6 months, and got some great advice from my doctor to drink a full glass of water and lay down when it happens - that usually made it go away. She was concerned that since they were starting early, they could at some point stimulate early labor. The alternative was to take some horrible medicine that made me shaky and feel like my skin was crawling - it would relax the smooth muscle (uterus) but make all other muscles twitchy. I LOVED the water/laying down method MUCH better than the medicine! Good luck!
I had Braxton Hicks with my fifth from 5th month on. They gradually increased until my delivery.
C. B
It sounds to me like your body is trying to tell you to take it easy. My BH contractions were totally different with each pregnancy I had. I had absolutely nothing with my first until my water broke, I had them on an off for 5 weeks before delivery with my second, and with my third, they were stronger and different than with my second, and started 3 months before delivery. However, any time I would lift something heavy or not rest, I would get the same kinds of pains you are describing. You really need to just take it easy for the health of your baby and yourself. If you don't, you could throw your body into full blown labor too early (from too much physical stress). So just be careful, and delegate the tougher tasks to your hubby, and take frequent "sit-down" breaks. Congrats on baby #2. Good luck.
With my first, I started getting Braxton Hicks at about 16 weeks, which my doctor tried to tell me was impossible. Knowing what they felt like, I noticed them earlier the second pregnancy--at about 12 weeks. I would not worry about your Braxton Hicks...I worried too much both times, and though my kids were both a week early, I don't think Braxton-Hicks are an indication of anything...just your body practicing. Since you have already done this once, your muscles have "memory", and your uterus is just getting prepared. Try to stay hydrated and don't exert yourself too much.
I have four kids and each pregnancy was a little different. Your symptoms sound like braxton hicks. I have had them that early in two of my pregnancies. They usually are caused from over-exerting yourself and go away when resting. Normally there are no problems from this, but be sure to take it easy and allow yourself more time to rest. I know thats easier said than done with a 3-yr old, but it is important to let your husband do the heavy lifting and not push yourself too hard. It is normal to have them though, so don't stress about it. Good luck with everything!
Definitely talk to your doc about this. It wouldn't hurt to call his nurse and discuss it over the phone either. I had BH a lot earlier with #2 than I did with #1. I think that is common. But if instincts tell you that it is not BH or that it's too early then have it checked out. Better safe than sorry, I say.
Hi C.,
This sounds like Braxton Hicks contractions. They can be VERY different from pregnancy to pregnancy. I didn't have any w/ my first, and I had a ton (just like you're describing) w/ my second, starting about halfway through the pregnancy. They are often caused by exercise, overexerting yourself, dehydration, and sexual intercourse. A lot of times they will be more intense and closer together in the evening, after you've been running around all day.
Hope this helps!
A.
it sounds like it. usually happen for me when i do more than i should have, which i did throughout most of my pregnancy. when they happen, drink a glass of water, lie down, and put your feet up. if they stop, it's bh, if they continue after 15 min, call your doctor.
went through the same thing with my third. just make sure to drink plenty of water and get off your feet whenever possible. good luck.
I am not sure if they are called BH, But it is a tighting of the lower stomach muscles, with each of my preg's I got them and the more kids I had the worse they were, my DR said they are nothing to worry about, and perfectly normal. One thing to rememeber though, is things you didn't really notice the first time will be noticed the 2nd, 3rd and 4th time.
I am 21 weeks and have had that tightening a few times in the last few weeks. I know one for sure was because I lifted something I wasn't supposed to. I called the DR. a few hours later when it didn't go away and she said that as long as there was no leaking or blood I was probably fine. I also had not drank enough water that day. The minute I sat down and rested and drank some water the tightness disappeared. So just look for those signs too. I understand about impersonal Dr. I told my Dr. I had a numbness in my toe and she said it could be MS. GREAT! After speaking with a nurse with a prenatal service I have thru our insurance. She assured me that it could be pregancy related and to monitor it after the pregancy to see if a specialist is needed. So see if your insurance has a service and ask nurses about things such as BH etc. Good luck. J.
It probably is just your muscles stretching. I used to get these pains a lot early on, and my baby was also a HUGE pusher. He would push if I ever wore tight pants. The doctor told me it was my uterus stretching. Good luck.
I had the same problem. I started having BH very early into my preganacy. Of course, it was with my first and I was scared to death. Don't worry they should pass, but to be on the safe side mention it to your doctor at your next visit.
Probably braxton-hicks; your body may be trying to tell you to slow down or that you're not hydrating enough. However, preterm labor is a reality and can happen with very few signs or symptoms. You should definitely discuss this with your doc. If he seems impersonal or in a rush, stop him and tell him you really need a bit of his time during your visit. Good luck!
C.,
Your uterus will do "Braxton Hicks" throughout your pregnancy, even as early as 14 weeks. This is normal. Many women do not feel them early on, and some don't feel them at all--I'm one of the "don't feel them all" women.
Yes, these sensations very well could be your baby "pushing" against your uterus. It could, in fact, be a combination of the two: pushing and braxton hicks.
Make sure you stay VERY WELL hydrated. A dehydrated set of muscles are much more irritable, you're uterus is one big muscle.
Add more calcium to your diet--suppliments would be best--with magnesium.
It wouldn't hurt to mention it to your care provider, "sometimes" and infection can be the issue.
Remember, too, your round ligament sometimes acts like a big complainer--it gets tired of being the main support for a heavy uterus and will tell you so with some pain/discomfort in your side moving forward to where it attaches to your uterus.
Listen to your body! If it's telling you not to stand so long, don't stand so long. If it's telling not to bend over, then squat instead!
Congratulations on your growing family; one more word of advice from an experienced birther (5), GET A DOULA! with or without and epidural it'll be the best thing you can do for your husband and yourself.
