Braxton hicks

[USAFWife319]

When can they start? Do they feel like more intense cramps? Is there anything to do to help them or prevent them?

 

[StarBrites]

I started feeling mine around 16 or so weeks. It's different for everyone. Just make sure you keep hydrated, as that can cause them to happen more often. Honestly there's nothing wrong with having a couple BH every now and then and they are perfectly normal, and from what I've been told they're a good thing and they help get everything prepared for the real deal. Obviously if they are happening in a pattern and more frequent and get more intense and painful you should ring L&D.

Sometimes something as simple as changing positions in the way you're sitting can help them stop. Or going for a walk. I take a warm bath if I have them more often than I'd like.

As for the feeling, for me my belly just gets hard and I can feel a tight squeeze for about up to 30 seconds and then it's soft again. They can get uncomfortable, but shouldn't be too painful where you can't talk or breathe through them.

 

[Anniebobs]

Mine started this week, I've been super busy with work and potty training dd that I've not really been looking after myself so think it was a lot to do with dehydration. It's just a really quick intense stomach ache, you can feel your stomach get hard and then it stops.

I either never had them or never noticed them in my first pregnancy, it's not something that every pregnant woman gets.

 

[TryinFor1]

Mine started this week too. I have been running around and not drinking very much water. You can help them with staying hydrated. They CAN hurt, mine do, but I wouldn't really compare them to cramps because the pain comes and goes instead of stays constant. Rest and water.

 

[DolceBella]

When I feel that way, it usually means I have to pee!

 

[bizzibii]

I have had really bad ones couple of weeks ago. I would walk and suddenly my lower belly would go rock hard and felt like I was losing my breath for a second. DH made me go to hospital to check t out. They told me to drink more water. Since then I have stopped having them , I mean once in a while but not as often....

 

[Mrs Dragonfly]

I've been getting them randomly the past couple weeks. Usually I'll get them right after I pee first thing in the morning, and maybe in the evening if I haven't had enough water.