Occasional painful braxton hicks contraction?
I will be 20 weeks on Tuesday, and since 16 weeks I have been experiencing braxton hicks contractions. Every other day I will get painful ones, about as bad as menstrual cramps, maybe a little worse. It's never more than 2 or so a day on the days it does happen, and it only lasts a few seconds. It will stop if I change what I'm doing. Is this normal for it to be painful? I have an ultrasound on Tuesday, but don't see my nurse-midwife till next Tuesday because she's gone all week this week... I know the baby is ok, I've been feeling movement, so I'm not too concerned there, just worried of possible preterm labor from this. Thanks.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Hey. you should always talk to your doctor and get checked out if your concerned about pains your paining. but braxton hick contractions are very common through out pregnancy. and some of them can be painful, and its normal to have some cramping on and off during pregnancy. when i was pregnant, i would get cramping every few days or so. and the further along in the pregnancy i got, i got tons of braxton hick contractions. mine were always painful. every woman is different, some woman don't have any pain with the BH contractions, others do have pain. it just depends on the person. its nothing to worry about, unless you start bleeding, or the cramping and pains keep coming, and getting stronger and not going away. when you get the cramping try laying down and resting and drink lots of water. being dehydrated, not enough water during pregnancy,. can cause your uterus to cramp up and contract a little, causing more braxton hicks and cramping. i'm sure its fine, sounds normal to me right now. but just keep an eye on things. if the pains ever get really bad or keep coming and don't go away after resting for an hour or so, then for sure call your doctor and go in and get checked.
good luck.