What do braxton hicks feel like? And is this them?

[Indadhanu]

Well, ok, this is going to sound dumb

I've had some pain, well its not quite pain, just uncomfortable... a little like period pain but they're not really crampy, its more like a dull achey pain accompanied by some squeezing... The squeezing is different to cramps though... It kind of comes on suddenly, and will go away in time if I move and find a different position. It doesn't really change or get worse over time, it just comes on suddenly and stays the same until it goes away, which is usually about 5 minutes... someitmes I get another pain within 20 minutes, but I've never had more than 2 in a row...(this is very hard to explain!)

The one thing that makes me wonder if its BHs is because its like the pains I get after I have an orgasm ( sorry TMI!)...

Anyway, I've had the growing cramps/pulls, and I'm not sure if this is just a different type of growing cramp, or am I getting BHs? Is that normal so early on? My bbs are making colostrum already, I don't know if thats anything significant but I just thought I'd mention it.

Oh and :P its not gas either, for those of you who are like Shel and attribute everything to gas lol

Ok, so I'm just wondering if this is BHs? Or just a new and wonderful pain?

And for future reference what ARE BHs like?

ETA: Forgot to mention, i get a kind of lightening bolt while the squeezy achey pain is there that goes from my bellybutton right down to my bits, which can be a bit painful!!!!

[Snoopea]

Hi,
I got cramps early on in both my pregnancies, braxton hicks normally don't occur until near the end. I think that your body is streching in weird but wonderful ways and your muscles are finding it hard to cope with the added weight of your baby.
I was told that it was common to get cramps that run across your belly or to one side. Mine felt like mild period pain and streched across my belly dominating the right side.
I would mention it at your next check up, and if it is occuring regulary make an appointment to get checked. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

I'm pretty sure it's normal.

Best of luck!
Snoopea (Kelly)

[Snoopea]

Forgot to add no question is ever dumb if your concerned ask!!!!!!!
If nothing else it'll make you feel better!!!

[~StarBright~]

hey leasha, i get a very similar thing, it seems to happen when i am sitting in an un comfy position and i go all tight until i stretch and then it settles, but is easily cramped again!! I get it bad when driving and sitting at my lap top when im not at the desk (naughty me)
it scared me abit and when i mentioned it to the mid wife she said maybe BH, but that at 14 weeks its a bit early.

I find laying on my back helps and stretching abit.

xoxo

[MrsBump]

Hi, Im not sure wether they are BH or not, Apparantly you do get them all throughout your pregnancy but mainly start 'feeling' them in the 3rd tri,... well thats when i normally start to feel mine. I would ask your carer. When is your next appointment??

[Kailz]

I get it too, my ob said it's just my uterus getting bigger and all your organs moving around making room for the baby.

You don't feel BH til about 3rd tri.

Gas hehee

[Butterfly_Princess]

Id say definately BH
I know exactly what your describing, and ive felt them from about 20 weeks onwards. All women get them throughout their pregnancies, just some feel them earlier, some feel them later. Im sure if you were to gently push on the area when you are having one you will notice that your tummy will feel really hard?? Thats what ive noticed, i can define where my uterus is because the contraction will make it hard and id be able to feel it
They also say that it feels like period pain, and an orgasm can also bring it on because of the contractions from an orgasm (its usually when i get them )
If you get worried though, definately call your doctor/midwife, but im almost 100% its a BH. Maybe do some googling??

[Antheia]

I agree, it sounds like BH to me. I started getting them earlier than people said i would too with my first. I got them from about 14 weeks with my second. So i would not rule it out. BH can be painless, uncomfortable and even painful (mine are always painful) so it feels different to different people and starts at different times etc. Same with anything involving pregnancy, i have come to accept that not everything is like the text books say it is.

[Karina]

Leasha, that sounds like what my BH felt like... a sort of dull ache, with a bit of squeezing and my tummy would go hard.

[meow]

Hmm- not sure Leasha as I don't know if I'd had BH yet but I have had lots of weird cramps and pains at various times through the pregnancy.

I think during BH your tummy has to go hard? I woke up last night feeling nauseas and my tummy was hard- would that be a BH?

[Neenee Jellybeanie]

Sounds like BH to me as well. I remember I had my first braxton hicks contraction when I was towards the end of the 2nd trimester. It's different for everyone, so its never too early! I was confused as well but when I asked my GP he said it was normal.

[*charmalea*]

i have had bh with ds since 8 weeks ... this time round its been since about 10 weeks .. its different for every one , i told my doc , she was surpised i could feel tightening so early , then she was feeling my tummy and felt one ... its normal and we all get them just feel them differently .... so i would think its bh ..


it can be uncomfortable though...

[JustMe30]

Definitely sounds like BH's to me. I remember talking to the midwife when in labour with my daughter about them and she confirmed that what I was experiencing then is what a BH feels like just not so painful or ongoing.

I've been getting them since 20 weeks and very often after an orgasm!

[Alan]

Hi Leasha
It could be Braxton Hicks but it could also be caused by your growing uterus. Next time it happens put your hand on your tummy if you feel it go tight/hard then it is a Braxton Hicks contraction.