Frequent Braxton Hicks?

[mcfelix]

So I'll be 34 weeks on Friday. I have been having very frequent Braxton hicks contractions and it's getting to be fairly uncomfortable at times. I've been drinking water but I called my OB today to ask if/when I should be concerned. They told me to call back if they are happening less than 8 mins apart. And at times this afternoon, they were less than that. But it was near their closing time so I didn't call. I'm going to see how I feel tonight and tomorrow morning, and if they continue to be that consistent, I'll call back.

Anyone else have experience with this? During my first pregnancy I don't recall having many BH contractions. I feel like there's no chance I make it to 40 weeks at this rate, but who knows.

Update: they gave me a shot of terbutaline (sp?) to relax my uterus and also are giving me fluids via IV. If the contractions stop for the next hour they'll send me home. They mentioned the irritable uterus thing I saw some people mention. This is nerve wracking but I'm glad I went in.

[ngdgtco]

I had pretty consistent BH with my first pregnancy after 22ish weeks. I had 6 an hour at times after 30 something weeks, which is when my OB wanted me to call. I ended up going to almost 41 weeks and had a really long labor, so I guess they really weren't productive, just annoying and stressful!

[mandapanda18]

Jul 6, 2015 17:12:25 GMT -5 mcfelix said:

So I'll be 34 weeks on Friday. I have been having very frequent Braxton hicks contractions and it's getting to be fairly uncomfortable at times. I've been drinking water but I called my OB today to ask if/when I should be concerned. They told me to call back if they are happening less than 8 mins apart. And at times this afternoon, they were less than that. But it was near there closing time so I didn't call. I'm going to see how I feel tonight and tomorrow morning, and if they continue to be that consistent, I'll call back.

Anyone else have experience with this? During my first pregnancy I don't recall having many BH contractions. I feel like there's no chance I make it to 40 weeks at this rate, but who knows.

I had them consistently for the last eight weeks, it was absolutely miserable! Drink more water, rest and try to relax. Sleep was the only thing that helped, but it was a cruel joke since I wasn't sleeping either. 

[mandapanda18]

Jul 6, 2015 17:24:31 GMT -5 mandapanda18 said:

Jul 6, 2015 17:12:25 GMT -5 mcfelix said:

So I'll be 34 weeks on Friday. I have been having very frequent Braxton hicks contractions and it's getting to be fairly uncomfortable at times. I've been drinking water but I called my OB today to ask if/when I should be concerned. They told me to call back if they are happening less than 8 mins apart. And at times this afternoon, they were less than that. But it was near there closing time so I didn't call. I'm going to see how I feel tonight and tomorrow morning, and if they continue to be that consistent, I'll call back.

Anyone else have experience with this? During my first pregnancy I don't recall having many BH contractions. I feel like there's no chance I make it to 40 weeks at this rate, but who knows.

I had them consistently for the last eight weeks, it was absolutely miserable! Drink more water, rest and try to relax. Sleep was the only thing that helped, but it was a cruel joke since I wasn't sleeping either. 

Oh, and I was induced due to colestasis on my due date, he still didn't budge! I ended up with a c-section (cord wrapped several times around his neck) after 14 hours of induction.

[mcfelix]

Thanks ngdgtco and mandapanda18! I think I'll take a bath later. I also read sex can cause them, and I was extremely uncomfortable Friday after we had sex. I was just telling DH this and DS just repeated "don't have sex!" Hilarious.

[sjh722]

I had so many more the second time. I never even felt them the first time.

[humpforfree]

I never had any last time, but holy cow- you are 34 weeks!?

[mcfelix]

So I'm at the hospital now. I called the ob after hours and he said to go in to get evaluated for pre term labor just to be safe. So far they've told me I'm not dehydrated... Hopefully it's nothing and I can go home soon.

[pooh8402]

I've had a ton of them since about 35 weeks-ish or so.

I'm continuing to have a ton of them, and at regular intervals too. a few have been uncomfortable, but they seem to go away periodically. like PP said, they toe the line between BH and real contractions. I was evaluated Sunday morning and was told "possible early labor" but they slowed down throughout the day and disappeared for the most part today. wahhh. had my bloody show yesterday, and continuing to have a bit, so hopefully soon! 39 weeks on Wednesday.

[undecidedowl]

Yep, mine were just like that with my second pregnancy. I was induced after my due date, much later than the OB was expecting.

ETA: Just saw your update, hope all is well and you get to go home soon. Always better to play it safe.

[Deleted]

I had serious bouts of bh with the girls that started at 16w. It then turned into ptl at 32w6d. I spent a week in the hospital but never dilated beyond 2/3cm so they sent me home. I then continued contracting at least 4 times an hour, often with many hours at night where it was more like 20 or 25 an hour, for another 4w before finally delivering at 36w4d.

The first of those 4 weeks were hell. The contractions did not feel like bh, they hurt like hell. At the time it was back labor because e was transverse. I had to breathe through them, use a heating pad etc.

I'm sure you won't have to experience this, I'm just telling you so that you know it doesn't necessarily mean you will deliver early (37w is term for twins so I was just shy of that).

The absolute most effective way for me to stop or slow the contractions was a bath. I spent a ton of time in the bathtub. This was what my midwives suggested and it was definitely the most effective. Better than lying on my left side and drinking water etc.

[bunch]

I have an 'irritable uterus' or something like that and had constant BH for the second half of both of my pregnancies. The first time they were afraid it was PTL, but both kids were born at exactly 39w.

[Deleted]

Just saw your update. I'm glad you went in. I think it's better to be safe than sorry with this. I hope it's nothing and you are home soon!

[pooh8402]

hope you get to go home soon!

[dancingirl21]

I had Braxton hicks a lot around 28 weeks and beyond. They only got painful when they were real contractions. Drink tons of water, relax and call in the morning if you don't feel better. Good luck!

ETA: clearly I didn't read through the responses. I hope everything is okay and you can go home soon!

[turtlegirl]

I had a lot my first two pregnancies, but not as much so far this time around. I've just been trying to stay hydrated all day and keeping water with me all the time.

Hope it's nothing serious and you are able to come home soon.

[humpforfree]

Jul 6, 2015 18:57:20 GMT -5 mcfelix said:

So I'm at the hospital now. I called the ob after hours and he said to go in to get evaluated for pre term labor just to be safe. So far they've told me I'm not dehydrated... Hopefully it's nothing and I can go home soon.

Thinking of you and baby girl!

[rbp]

Jul 6, 2015 19:13:58 GMT -5 bunch said:

I have an 'irritable uterus' or something like that and had constant BH for the second half of both of my pregnancies. The first time they were afraid it was PTL, but both kids were born at exactly 39w.

Lol my ob said the same about an irritable uterus. I had frequent BH from ~30w. Around 34w (after I fell) they got regular at 2-3 min apart! I was freaking out and went to l&d to be evaluated for PTL. They ultimately went away on their own, and I delivered at 40w2d.

[mcfelix]

Back home now! Went an hour with no contractions. Phew!

[elocrates]

Glad things are looking better. Just saw your initial post and my first thought was "she's got to go get checked, right now." Paranoid PTL/ IC/ irritable uterus lady, party of one. Never harm in going in to get checked. Sorry you needed the terbutiline. I hope the rest of your pregnancy is uneventful.