Lots of Braxton Hicks at 34 wks..Is this normal??

[SaraAnn]

Hi gals. I'm 34 wks and have had Braxton Hicks for a few months with them now becoming much more noticeable. None of them ever hurt, but some have been quite intense with my uterus nearly shrinking to the size of a catalope during a 60+ second contraction yesterday. The most I've gotten in an hour is about 3 good ones some of course aren't as strong as others. We did a cervical check last week just to be safe and all was well, but with dd 4 1/2 yrs ago, I was 2 cm dilated ad 80% effaced at 36 wks so we will be watching this closely.

My question is just about the Braxton Hicks I guess. Are you all having these, too? How intense are they? When should I be concerned? Again, mine NEVER hurt. In fact when I labored with dd, I never had ANY painful contractions until 7 cm/transition!! At 38 wks, I was walking around at a cocktail party the night before hospital admittance at 4-5 cm dilated/80% effaced and didn't have a care in the world. No big deal....then after they broke my water the next day and gave me some pitocin my body rocked once I hit 7. (Can you say "Epidural NOW!?")

I've been physically active since I was 15 yrs old and continued working out all during this pg just like the last. I feel great, but certainly want to be informed of what to look out for. I don't want to be on Oprah some day as the gal that didn't know she was in labor then delivered the baby in the grocery check-out lane!!!

SaraAnn

[Teddybear]

I'm 36 wks now & I've been having B/H's for a while now. My dr. said it's normal.

Lori

ds - Logan, age 4
ds - Owen, edd 7/4/05

[tg]

I never had a single contraction that I felt with dd #1.We showed up at the hospital to be induced and they said your already in labor. Dh and I were laughing the whole time. I did insist on my epidural and they thought I was crazy wanting it and not having any pain. They said I easily could of given birth to her anywhere since I had no clue
Hopefully you won't be suprised!! Good luck

[playitagainsam]

Yeah, I have been having VERY strong ones since 33 wks (with discomfort). Totally normal for me--I also was 4 1/2 cm before I (regrettably) allowed myself to be induced with dd#1. I am 36 wks now, and a cm. or so dilated. So, I am welcoming them. As long as I make it past 36 wks (which is in 2 days), we can still procede with our birth at home and not worry about complications to any great extent. I'm taking tomorrow off work just to avoid taking any chances

Good luck!
Jessica

[ScrappyCat]

Popping in from the june board! I've had them for quite a while...perfectly normal...I've also been on weekly visits for at LEAST a month now, everytime going in thinking "surely all these contractions have done SOMETHING"...NOPE...I've been at 1 cm for nearly 4 weeks now...AARGH...went today...same thing...so much for my hoping she would come early and give me some RELIEF...I even told my doctor I would gladly stay if she would admit me today !!! She said nope, to early...I have gest diab and baby's lungs develop slower than other baby's.

With ds, I was at 3 cm at 34 weeks, put on brethin (contraction meds) and bedrest...this one...nothing...I'm still walking around, driving, etc...I'm 37 weeks (38 on sat) right now and have a schedule C on the 21st...11 days to go...REALLY hoping for sooner!!

Good luck...

[Hopefull K]

I am 34 weeks and have had BH for the last 2-3 weeks. They come when I'm active, like weeding in the garden, or walking, or picking something up. OB just said to stop what I'm doing and see if they stop, which they always have. They don't hurt, just seem sudden. Also, they don't seem to contract the whole uterus, just portions of it - is this true with everyone else??

[Michellei]

I have them too...sometimes it just feels like my stomach is really hard during a contraction and like it crawls up to my head or something (these are the ones I've been getting for a couple months now). Recently, I've been having VERY tight contractions that hurt because my stomach gets so hard and stays that way for a looong time. Monday I went to the dr. and they checked me (I'm 35wks tomorrow) and there is no dilation. I was at least hoping for a one cm. because of all the contractions.


I am getting sooooo impatient. I want to have this baby today! I know it's early but I'm so tired and uncomfy that I'd welcome the relief!

Michellei