Braxton-Hicks Contractions

**AmyBoz** · 12-13-2005, 09:27 PM

So, the past few days I've been Braxton-Hicks-ing like crazy. I've got 10 weeks to go in the pregnancy. I had always heard that staying very hydrated helps with the Braxton-Hicks, but today my school nurse told me that since this is my third child, nothing is going to help. That they are just going to get more and more intense until they eventually (in 10 weeks) turn into the real thing.

Now, my school nurse is a BIT of an alarmist, so I thought I'd come here and ask what you ladies knew about this.

**bamamomto4** · 12-13-2005, 10:04 PM

I believe I had more,the more pregnancies I had lol But I would drink water and lay down and they'd go away,like always.

If it keeps on,and you're worried,I'd call the DR.

10 weeks! wow! Not long!!!!!

**many houseapes** · 12-13-2005, 10:44 PM

my midwife told me to mix 2 tsp of ground cumin(comino) with a cup of hot water & drink as a tea to stop it...and it worked (that was for baby #9)...for baby #5, a doctor had told me to take 2 tylenol and a nice relaxing bath....that worked too....I'm expecting #10 and I am anticipating having to put up with the annoyance of false labor...i hate being teased .

**hollyhill** · 12-14-2005, 12:47 AM

Mine were worse with # 3. Also, my ligaments loosened more and earlier, too.
I found raspberry tea helped.

**canadian gardener** · 12-14-2005, 10:10 AM

Get the feet up, rest mid day somehow, with the feet up. Early to bed. No heavy lifting, and take it easy. Reduce stress as much as possible (Christmas season is hard but that is when some babies arrive a bit early and I swear it's the added stress)

Drink more liquid (this also can reduce the risk of pre term labour)

and GET ASSESSED by an obstetrician. School nurses don't deal with pregnancy that much, and you need to rule out a twitchy uterus that could pop the baby out faster than expected.

Once an OB or a good midwife has assessed you, then you can assume it's BH contractions, but before that it's wise to double check and don't make assumptions just in case.

You listen to ladies who delivered pre term and many of them really were blocking their symptoms, and going into denial as they took on too much and ignored their body.

Yes BH are normal, and part of pregnancy but do check with someone who can assess your risks.

**AmyBoz** · 12-15-2005, 08:35 PM

Had my appointment today. She said that everything is in order and I'm looking fine. She said to stay hydrated.

She also said that I'm measuring big. She said considering the size of my other two, (9 lb 15 oz, and 9 lb 6 oz) that I could be looking at a 10 or 11 pounder. Fabulous.

Thank you for all the advice!

**Kimberlina** · 12-15-2005, 09:05 PM

Glad to hear everything is going well.

Am I the only one who started feeling my BH contractions super early? I felt my first at something like 13 weeks. Of course, mine never hurt. I didn't have any pain until I was actually in labor.

**favesis37** · 12-17-2005, 04:17 PM

my dd is having a terrible time with them. she is due in 7 weeks with #3, this is her 3rd in 3 1/2 years! but they told her at the hospital the other night to stay hydrated, dn try to rest more, of course she works a full time job so that is hard, let alone having a 3 1/2 year old and a 20 month old at home!( crazy girl)

**AmyBoz** · 12-17-2005, 05:18 PM

Kim, I feel your dd's pain! That's the same advice I got. Rest? When exactly would I do that? Sure, I'll just assign seat work for the next month and a half and expect my students to teach themselves. And, Julia's almost 5...she can cook, clean, and take care of Patrick, right?

**favesis37** · 12-18-2005, 07:53 AM

AMY,lol. right! good luck and how are you feeling today?

**Kimberlina** · 12-18-2005, 02:06 PM

Maybe Julia can also teach the class for you? She looks pretty smart! And Patrick certainly looks big enough to take out the trash and shovel snow.

Seriously, though, I got taken out of work at 32 weeks or something like that because my contractions were actually productive and apparently I had what my doctor referred to as a "less-than-competent" cervix, lol. So do try to rest when you can- I know it is very hard with two little ones ands a full time job, but I was alternately worried dd would be early and bored out of my mind until they finally let me go back to work at 36 weeks (when she was close enough to term to be okay.)

Maybe Robert could do a little more of the house things for you?