Just wondering...I seem to have a temporary lack of knowledge, I am uncomfortable and have been for like 10 minutes now without it letting up. I know they are only the fake ones I am just curious if anyone remembers. TIA

By Kernkate on Monday, February 7, 2005 - 10:45 pm:

Just found this on the net....I had these while pregnant and ended up 3 times at the hospital toward the end of my last pregnancy.

What you may be experiencing: Whether its called "false labor," "practice contractions," or Braxton Hicks contractions (named for the 19th-century English doctor John Braxton Hicks, who first "discovered" them), you'll almost certainly experience this periodic tightening or hardening of your belly. These contractions, usually painless but occasionally quite uncomfortable, are your uterus's method of practicing for true labor. Braxton Hicks contractions may do some of the preliminary work of thinning and dilating your cervix. They usually first appear in the second trimester, around 20 weeks, though they may come earlier (and be more intense) if you have had a previous pregnancy.

At your prenatal checkup, let your healthcare provider know that you are having these contractions, which tend to occur more often as your due
date approaches. If, at any point, they are very frequent (more than 4 an hour), accompanied by back, pelvic, or abdominal pain, or come with vaginal discharge, call your practitioner immediately.


What helps: Drinking plenty of fluids may help, as dehydration can be a contributing factor in bringing on Braxton Hicks contractions. If you find the contractions uncomfortable, do your best to relax when they strike. Try lying down and relaxing, or getting up and walking around, and practice your breathing exercises until they pass.

By My2cuties on Monday, February 7, 2005 - 10:51 pm:

Thank you so much Kathy, they aren't causing any pain (untolerable pain) but they are causing pressure in my bottom. wierd.

By Kernkate on Monday, February 7, 2005 - 10:58 pm:

Candis, You are welcome! Oh how do I know that feeling. I never had them till my last pregnancy and they were so terrible!! Hope they will pass for you soon

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 12:24 am:

With Emily, had contractions, or something, 5 minutes apart for an hour. So, we go in and end up spending the night. At the hospital, everything stops, of course! We go home to sleep, since we didn't sleep well at the hospital and I go through my Sunday. Water broke Monday morning! LOL!

By Kernkate on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 09:06 am:

Candis, Hope you are feeling better today

By My2cuties on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 10:21 am:

Thanks I went to bed last night and finally fell asleep with them. I just had to relax and breathe through them. I finally remembered what a nurse said when I went into "false Labor" with my first daughter...she said if you can talk through them then they are not the real thing..lol.

I feel better this morning and the baby is sure moving....I think that is what scared me the most is the baby didn't really move while I was hurting last night. DH wants me to call my doctor this morning and tell her about it, but I am thinking I will wait until my next appointment the 28th. That seems like the right thing to do, unless I start hurting again this week. Thanks again for being on here last night..

By Rayanne on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 10:47 am:

I would call the doctor too, just to let them know and if they want to see you, then they will tell you to come in. If they do start again, I would definately go to the doctor. Good luck sweetie. {{{{{HUGS}}}}}

By My2cuties on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 12:21 pm:

They have started up again today, I am going to drink some more water and go for a walk and see if that helps...if not I am going to come in and lay down, if nothing helps I will call.

By Amecmom on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 01:31 pm:

I had a lot of pressure that would stop me in my tracks toward the end of my pregnancy. This was because of how low in my pelvis she was. Call anyway and let them check you out.

Ame

By Kaye on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 01:35 pm:

Call in. I don't recall when you are due, but obviously a couple of months out. this could be preterm labor. Not to scare you, but it can happen. As far as how contractions feel, I could always talk through mine. I gave birth naturally and for about 5 minutes of that birth talking isn't really what i wanted to do, but I was able to. Each pregancy is different. get checked out and be safe!

By My2cuties on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 02:44 pm:

I went for a walk and did all I could now I am calling....thanks, I'll let you know what happens.

By Kernkate on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 02:47 pm:

Keep us posted

By My2cuties on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 03:57 pm:

My doctor just called and told me that if I am having more than 6 an hour and consistant for 2 hours I have to go to Labor and delivery and let them check me out...so I guess the counting starts now. I told her they were tolerable, and she said "it doesn't metter if they are tolerable or not..you need to come in". Okay so I will keep you posted from here

By My2cuties on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 10:45 pm:

Back from the Hospital...I am on what they called "Pre-term labor precaution" Which basically means I am not aloowed to do anything until I make my appointment on friday to my doctor. I am supposed to be in the bed unless I need to get up for something then I can only be up for an hour at a time. I am not dialated at all and I am not thinning. So that is good news for me and baby, so she won't be early. Looks like I will be taking it easy til friday.

By Kaye on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 11:05 pm:

I am so glad you went in (and posted). Take it easy, follow directions, I know hard with little ones, but tv can be a great sitter when you need it!

By Rayanne on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 11:14 pm:

I'm glad that you went too. Do you have someone besides DH to help you out during the day? You definately need to follow your doctors orders.

By My2cuties on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 11:24 pm:

My mom will make sure I follow doctor's orders. DH is gone, but calls every couple hours to check on us. I am SO glad I live close to family.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, February 9, 2005 - 12:31 am:

I'm glad you went to the doctor. Sounds like your due date is a ways out yet.

When I had the regular contractions with Emily's pregnancy, I was at nearly 38 weeks. (38 weeks exactly the day she was born.)

By Dana on Wednesday, February 9, 2005 - 07:44 am:

Hang in there!