"Too early" for Braxton Hicks?

[chicory]

Hey ladies,

First, I know you're not my doctors and will be taking questions to them also. This isn't necessarily a multiples question, but many of you have BTDT regarding pregnancy so I'd love to hear if anyone else had has similar experiences.

This is my first pregnancy, di/di twins, today is 20+4. Up until 19 weeks, I was pretty oblivious to my uterus. 19 weeks hit and I really "popped," started feeling babies' movements, felt my first Baraxton Hicks contraction. Asked the OB's fill-in PA at 19w appointment; she checked urine, said I was a touch dehydrated and that might be the cause and to push fluids. Have still been feeling them sporadically - not at all painful, just brief tightenings. Increased water intake seems to help, but busy days at work with lots of standing will produce a few. I am trying to take it easy, sit as often as possible, and take breaks. So far pretty good. Asked the MFM about it at A/S on Tuesday. The doc wasn't my usual MFM, which is fine. She didn't seem concerned as my cervix is still nice and long and everything else looks good. She said to keep an eye on it but said this may be "baseline" for me.

Last night - DH and I had sex for the first time since the BH started. No previous issues with sex, and the hiatus was only because of busy schedules. Nothing rough, and I did enjoy an orgasm...then cue BH!! I stopped counting at 12 contractions. They weren't painful, and each one gradually got shorter and farther apart, but it still kinda freaked me out. 

I know sex and orgasm triggers uterine contractions in even non-pregnant women, but is this OK? Anyone else start feeling them this early in 2nd tri? After last night, DH is especially worried and is suggesting no more sex, or at least orgasm, until the twins are here (neither of which is fair in my mind!) I keep telling myself that maybe it's more common with multiple pregnancies (bigger uterus earlier in gestation), not to worry as my cervix is still long, and that maybe my uterus is just a fitness freak and likes to "work out." 

I will obviously be reporting the new symptoms to regular OB and MFM. I'm just curious to hear what your experiences (FTM or BTDT) have been with BH contractions. Thanks!

[neongreen]

FTM here, and the Braxton Hicks just started this week (I'm at 25 weeks). Like you, nothing painful, just some brief tightness and then it passes. I mentioned it to the doctor on Wednesday and she wasn't concerned as long as they weren't painful. When she checked my cervix, everything was fine there, so I'm trying not to worry too much!

[rayray007]

I had lots of Braxton Hicks throughout my whole pregnancy. I felt them as early as around 10 weeks. I know that sounds impossible but I was hyper aware of my uterus and certainly felt Braxton Hicks. At my 16 week appointment I told my OB I was feeling them and she didn't seem surprised. They never had an effect on my cervix and I never went into labor. Getting several after having sex is totally normal, but I'd mention it to your OB so they can keep an eye on ir.

[blueberries8]

Definitely normal but it's a good idea to have cervical length checked by ultrasound regularly and also continue to pay attention to their frequency, intensity, etc. to make sure they aren't progressing into the real deal. It might be a good idea to not have sex moving forward, but I'd ask your doctor what he/she recommends.

[elvenqueen]

I'm completely in this boat! I started noticing mine when I was 14 weeks, which seemed absurdly early. Increasing fluid intake definitely helps, but also making sure your bladder isn't sitting full for too long as that can irritate the uterus. Finding a nice balance there can be tricky. Sex leading to contractions is definitely not unusual, and I'd recommend just trying to get up and walk around if you get that many afterward, as changing positions should always help with BH. I did read that anything from baby movement can be enough to set off a BH, so perhaps with two in there it happens more often...

ETA: the uterus growing that much faster probably also plays into. As BH don't actually affect the cervix and are essentially for your uterus to practice what it does and "flex its muscles", this would make sense because of the rate of growth.

[chicory]

elvenqueen, neongreen, rayray007, blueberries8, Thanks! I feel less abnormal now! Thankfully I do get cervix ultrasounds at every MFM visit. I am guessing we'll back off on the sexytimes for a bit and check with the docs. Thanks for easing my mind