Hey Tasha

in our 2nd, 3rd and more pregnancies you notice alot of things that were not all that obvious in your first pregnancy. Everything has been stretched and the body is a (mostly) well oiled pregnancy machine after ironing out any hiccups in the 1st pregnancy

BH actually occur as early as 16 weeks and while they are not 'painful' can still take your breath away. They are important in that the uterus is flexing its 'muscle' and this tones the uterus and makes it as fit as it can be (like us going to the gym and doing weights to tone our muscles) for labor. BH are also important as they oxygenate the uterus.

You may have an irritable uterus...which basically means if you do too much you will get runs of BH. A BH is a contraction (as the uterine muscle flexes) of sorts...a labor contraction is the uterus really working to rhythmically contract its mucsle fibres and maintain retraction (a specialised muscle fibre just for the uterus) with each wave (contraction), and as this all happening this is when the cerivx opens and dilates...

A BH will stop if you change activity...if you are standing, then laying down etc...a true labor contraction keeps coming no matter what you are doing

working in a day care centre is hard work...and perhaps your body is telling you it is time to slow down, especially if you are already a mummy as well

hope this helps

xx yogababy