What are Braxton Hicks contractions?

Answer 1

contractions or false laborEveryone is different, because of how everyone deals with pain, so there isn't any steadfast rule. My own personal experience...It felt like tightening up your fist and then releasing it, but it was your stomach muscles obviously, not your fist. That's what I felt.

Braxton Hicks are not painful, but they do feel like the person above said. Or perhaps if you put your hand on your man's bicep as he tightens it. They gradually become more co-ordinated and uncomfortable and morph into labor contractions.

What they felt like to me, was a very painful period. O couldn't get past the pain and nervousness to feel any abdominal tightening or anything like that, but everyone is different....I am 27 weeks now and experienced my first Braxton Hicks contraction last night. I really freaked out because I didnt know what was happening. I thought i was going into premature labor or worse... But then the pain went away as suddenly as it started. First thing in the morning i called my doctor and he assured me that all was well. SO if you experience something that feels like you are having a very painful period and there are no signs of blood or watery discharge then you are probably having one of these lovely "dress rehearsals" for labor...ENJOY!

Everyone feels things differently, but for me when I had Braxton Hicks contractions, by belly tightened and went rock hard for about 30 seconds and felt quite uncomfortable, then stopped, this would happen for ten minutes or so and then stop. I started noticing them from about the 20th week of my pregnancy right up until I had my baby. They are uncomfortable, but it's good to know everything is working as it should be!

Answer 2

Braxton Hicks Contractions are - at the beginning of pregnancy - painless little movements of your baby in your uterus. Although, once you hit about 37 weeks, they are horrible. They are often confused with labor contractions. They become rhythmic and feel like they don't stop. They can be uncomfortable, but they can dilate you. They get their name from an English doctor named John Braxton Hicks who first diagnosed them in 1872.

Answer 3

it feels like the bottom of a girls stumich tightnin up getting ready for labour...x

Answer 4

How can you tell the difference between braxton hicks contractions and real contractions?

Answer 5

Braxton Hicks contractions are intermittent weak contractions of a woman's uterus that occur during pregnancy. One can learn more about these contractions on the web at Baby Center.