contraction question

jenny11.9 Posted: Sep 09, 2003 11:02 AM

contraction question

I have a journal that I have been referencing, and it has areas to write notes, record moods, cravings, etc. Up until today it always said 'mood, cravings, energy, weight' Today it added 'contractions' as something you might need to record?

Isnt' that weird? I mean...would I know if I had contractons? Wouldnt' that be bad? I am 20.5 weeks today....

kptoys Posted: Sep 09, 2003 11:03 AM

Re: contraction question

probably BH contractions. That is kinda weird... early. I didnt think BH started for atleast another 5 weeks

christine1221 Posted: Sep 09, 2003 12:01 PM

Re: contraction question

I had a very painful bout of BH contractions at about 22 weeks. It was so bad at one point that I was considering going to the hospital. I don't feel it much anymore, but that might be b/c the baby is so active all day, that its hard to differentiate the feeling!!

jenny11.9 Posted: Sep 09, 2003 12:14 PM

Re: contraction question

can somebody explain what BH contractions are exactly? I know it's Braxton Hicks...but dont know anything else!

christine1221 Posted: Sep 09, 2003 01:00 PM

Re: contraction question

BH are usually painless uterine contractions. They are 'practice contractions' for labor ( the way one book describes them!) They usually don't last long. You'll know your having them if all of a sudden your belly gets very tight & hard & then releases. 'What to Expect' has a good section on BH contractions!

Melissa Posted: Sep 09, 2003 01:04 PM

Re: contraction question

I've been getting those for weeks now! They don't hurt or anything. They just feel weird.

michele31 Posted: Sep 09, 2003 01:17 PM

Re: contraction question

I learned last night that you should use the word 'surge' instead because your mind automatically thinks 'contraction'= 'pain' whereas we are not conditioned to think of the word 'surge' the same way....

Anyway BHs are 'practice' ones, but I have read that typically they don't cause discomfort...because really the discomfort of labor is your cervix opening, and that doesn't happen with a BH. Now pre-term labor is different. That is the real thing happening too early.