How often do you have contractions?

[lupineaura]

So, I was very late to the FFFC thread and didn't want to bump it up. The discussion of pelvic rest etc. got me pretty paranoid. I know that contractions are normal throughout pregnancy. I've also mentioned to my providers that I've experienced them. However, now I'm a bit worried and wondering if I need to bring it up again (before my next appt).

I have contractions every day, usually at night. They aren't painful (although often accompanied by a little shortness of breath), I don't have bleeding, and I wouldn't describe them as regular, which is why I've never really worried before. I also always have one after an orgasm.

Perhaps my tendency towards worry is exacerbated by the twin pregnancy. Does this sound normal to anyone?

I'll now sit here and worried I'll get flamed for asking a dumb question. I promise I will never ask about lunch meat...

[sweetieheart32]

I have not been able to tell if I've had any contractions yet (26 wks) so I don't have first hand experience, but from what I learned in the hospital class I took, what you are describing is nothing to worry about. Still, it's never a bad idea to call your doc if you're really worried. Better to have him/her relieve your mind than continue to worry.

[mpiemont]

I assume you're talking about Braxton Hicks contractions- I get them very very often, and have with all 3 of my pregnancies. They are definitely more frequent at the end of the day. I can be sitting on the couch with my feet up sipping water and they will still happen. BH contractions don't really do anything in terms of dilation- but when they become real contractions, that's when it can be concerning. I don't think it's something to be concerned about as long as they aren't regular/time-able, aren't painful, eventually stop, etc. I have been told they're basically like your uterus "practicing" for the real thing. If they are being caused by a particular activity, then maybe try to limit that activity. I have found they sort of have a mind of their own- sometimes I get them when I go from sitting to standing or when I am working out, sometimes I'm laying in bed half asleep. Maybe ask again at your next appointment just to be safe. Clarify with your dr what you are feeling and when/if they want you to call.

[Deleted]

My midwife told me the other day not to be concerned about them unless I have six in one hour, and they don't go away when I change positions. I get them after orgasms too, but it's normal. I would call on Monday and talk to your doctor to see what they say about it, but I wouldn't be concerned.

[Starbuck128]

I'm interested in the responses you'll get. I think the tightening after an orgasm is nothing to worry about as long as it is just a tightening.

So far I've only noticed BH after a long, brisk walk or sex.

[miraclebbye]

I had posted on the Friday random, Thursday night we went to dinner and a hockey game. Half way thru dinner BHs started. I went ahead and went to the game but continued to have them about every 15-20min till I got home. I know it was more than likely the chair at the arena that made them continue since it was soooo uncomfortable. I have not had any since then, but at the time I was borderline leaving to L&D. I called my OB Friday and he said that since they were so far apart and quit when I got home that I was ok to wait to be checked till my next appt unless they came back. I had them with both my other pregnancies as well.

[shmee]

I just started feeling BH yesterday, actually. Besides that I haven't felt anything like that yet

[mayflowers]

I get BH at least once a day, more often a few times. I notice it more if I lay on my back, and moving typically makes it go away. I've been getting them for a while.

ETA my doctor said its nothing to worry about, it's your uterus practicing for labor. She said it actually always does this even when not pregnant, you just don't feel/notice it.

[lolo918]

The FFFC thread also got me thinking also. I tend to have the same thing happening. I've noticed it more often if I'm late to my class and really trying to book it up all the stairs between my office and classroom. I started timing how long the contractions lasted, and actually making sure I wasn't having more than 4 an hour if it was making me feel uneasy. Edited because I forgot: they are usually about 30s long and no more than 1-2 and hour? I can't remember where I got 4 in an hour from now, which is weird. Maybe from the ER- I was put on bed rest/pelvic rest for a little while with specifics like that so I've been using it since.
I only have one baby, but I did have a bleeding incident followed by 4 weeks of spotting at 12 weeks that makes me anxious about these too sometimes.

I tell my provider regularly about them, and actually had a Braxton Hicks that I didn't feel during my A/S. So far my doctor hasn't seemed overly concerned but also hasn't sugar coated what any worst case scenarios might be. Last appointment he talked to me about how I might be able to tell the difference between normal discharge and my water breaking, etc.

[robotpcr]

I think I had one a couple nights ago. It was painful and felt like my period cramps. But it passed and I didn't get anymore so I didn't worry. My doctor has said in the past as long as they're not consistent in terms of timing then not to worry.

[jerseyakl]

No BH or contractions for me other than the tightening others described after an orgasm. It never hurts to bring up concerns or questions with your doctor.

[tabH]

I have had BH for over a week now everyday. I get at least 5 a day and some of them include chest tightening, it's really annoying. I just lay down or slow down my breathing when they happen. But I have also found that they are very sporadic. They will occur whether I am being active or not. As long as there isn't a pattern, then my doc is not concerned. It's more of a nuisance than anything. Last pregnancy, I had prodromal labor for about 2 weeks before actually going into labor, so I am hoping this doesn't lead to that again.

[lupineaura]

Thanks everyone. I'll probably call my doctor on Monday just for some reassurance. In the meantime I'm going to increase my efforts to drink more water.

[IFinTN]

I have an irritable uterus and get real contractions with my bowel issues (IBS attacks). I have ended up at the OB ER twice from them and have been taking indocin as needed to control them during an attack. I would definitely talk to the doc about them, especially if they are ever painful.

[jennadesigns]

I have been having an increased number of BH contractions over the past week. I'm 27 weeks. They started out being very regular, about 10 minutes apart and while they weren't painful, they were uncomfortable. They got closer together throughout the day until they were about 5 minutes apart and lasting for about 60-90 seconds. I called my doctor who had me push as much fluid as I could stand and lay down. After about 6 hours, they went away. I tried to go to work the next day but they came back. Same orders from my doctor and they calmed down as soon as I laid down. I went in to see my doctor the next day and he said I wasn't dialated and they were likely just BH contractions and my uterus was irritated by something. He said that as long as they were irregular I could continue to work. If they became regular again (10 minutes apart or closer), were painful, I was feeling pressure (like the baby had dropped) or my water broke, I am to go to the hospital. It's kind of nerve wracking ... yesterday was a little better - I only had about 35 or so contractions. I'm just hoping to avoid bedrest, but I think it might be inevitable at some point this pregnancy.

[seventythree]

OP, I don't think this is a dumb question. That said, add me to the list of those not sure they've ever had one! I've had some abdominal cramps in the last week or two but am not sure whether to identify these as BH, since they don't seem too consistent with the descriptions I've read.

[Deleted]

I have had BH yet in this pregnancy, but I got them quite often in my second pregnancy once I got to the third trimester.

I will say this, with me I knew exactly when it was contractions vs BH. Contractions is a totally different set of pain.

[kristina730]

I've had BH the last month +, mostly when running or working out hard. Occasionally when going from sitting to standing or when just hanging out. I talked to my OB about them, and he said that it is totally normal and fine- unless I get 4 or more in an hour. If that happens I need to hydrate, lay down and rest, etc. If BH contractions persist call their office (during office hours) or head straight to L&D (nights/weekend) to be checked out.

To me they feel like my uterus is hard as a rock- not just tight, but HARD. My belly can be quite firm at points in the day when it is not a contraction- but with the BH it is seriously ROCK hard. They have been painful a couple of times when I was working out (running, doing HIIT)- so I stopped, walked, hydrated, and they went away. I got another contraction when I started running again so I switched to the bike. They do not happen every time I run or workout- but I am on the lookout and I definitely do NOT run through them!

[amylee545]

I really need to get caught up on the FFFC. I keep seeing it referenced in new threads. sounds like it was a good one!

AFM, It's pretty much a given that I will get BH if I don't drink enough water or if I have a full bladder. Yesterday, H and I went to the movies and I had barely had any water as of yet and I had a full bladder. I had 5 BH during the course of the movie. I started chugging water and went pee right after the movie, and sure enough I didn't have any for the rest of the day.

Sometimes I'll get them randomly, but not that many. It'll just be like 1 and done.

[abbalish]

It's weird, I was having BH pretty regularly around 22-22 weeks but now at 28 weeks it's been quite awhile. I've had them lying down as well as exercising - it just feels like a tightening across my midsection.

[hotcoconuts82]

I usually get bh some times in the evening when I'm really tired or when I don't drink enough water. OP, what you are describing sounds like bh. A real contraction feels completely different. At least to me. It would be down lower and more menstrual crampy.

[nurserachel22]

I have Braxton hicks everyday. I don't know if I am really in tuned with my body or what, but they feel nothing like real contractions in my opinion. I drink ALOT of water to keep them away. I have them during exercise and randomly throughout the day. Just a tightening feeling that is kinda uncomfortable

[yianna]

With each pregnancy, they have come on earlier. Braxton Hicks are pretty harmless, but if you have 4 or more in an hour, you need to call your Dr. They are also a sign of dehydration or an irritable uterus, if you get them frequently.

For me, I get them off and on throughout the day and more so when I'm up and down a lot.

After orgasm, it is normal to have them as well - especially the closer you are to the end of the pregnancy.

[mlbrooks]

I started getting BH around 25 weeks. Brought it up to my dr on Friday at my 26 week apt and she said yep those are BH. She didn't seemed concerned at all or ask about frequency. Mine are like others have said, a tightening of my stomach all the way across especially in line with my belly button level. They don't hurt or aren't uncomfortable I can just tell. I feel them most when I go from sitting to standing. Usually when I'm getting up to go pee. So maybe mine have something to do with a full bladder. I pee so much though and go from Sitting to standing often that I probably have had more than 4 in an hour at some point.

[cheechee]

I have had them since around 18 weeks. Started out maybe 4 a day to now what is constant tightenings all day long unless I am laying down. The feel exactly like BH (tightening my entire stomach) and nothing like labor pains. That being said, I had back labor with my 1st and felt really nothing in the front (or the pain was so bad in the back that I didn't notice haha).

I too have an irritable uterus so it's difficult to determine if it will lead to preterm labor or it's just practicing. The thing that scared me (when I was ordered in bedrest) was that I had the tightenings with pressure and period pain like cramps. It felt like my baby was engaged! Luckily he wasn't, no cervical change at all. But you never know without asking.

Trust your gut. I think it's a good idea to talk to your doctor if you are worried. It's better to be safe than sorry.

[Poppy]

I didn't realize how common and how early BH start. I haven't had any yet.

[scattered]

Feb 7, 2015 21:45:03 GMT -5 @sastahlman said:

My midwife told me the other day not to be concerned about them unless I have six in one hour, and they don't go away when I change positions. I get them after orgasms too, but it's normal. I would call on Monday and talk to your doctor to see what they say about it, but I wouldn't be concerned.

My OB said basically the same. Either six in an hour or any timable contractions.

Eta holy typos!

[copilot2012]

I have had BH for several weeks now. Sometimes I have 6 a day, some days I don't have a single one. No rhyme or reason to them for me. The most strange is when I get them after I pee, but not every time I pee or anything that makes me think I have an infection. Just random. I did bring it up to my ob though, just so she has note of it.

[Cornflakegirl]

Feb 8, 2015 12:43:01 GMT -5 Poppy said:

I didn't realize how common and how early BH start. I haven't had any yet.

Neither have I.