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coachmommyofmin · Oct 17th, 2009, 12:10 AM

I was wondering if there's a timeframe between BH contractions and the real contractions? I started having BH's yesterday, after 3 hrs they stopped, today again during the day, after a couple of hours they stopped and come and go irregularly. I can't find a comfortable position to sit, sleep or walk and everything is uncomfortable... Does that sound like the actual labor might be not far away? I'm at 38wks now and feel like I want to go to the bathroom constantly, but I don't have regular contractions, I think my uterus may be tightening once in a while, but the pain is just everywhere- back and abdomen, comes and goes, but irregular. Of course its the weekend and I don't have another ob appt untill next thursday, DH out for work the next few days and I'm puzzled on what's happening.
Is there a possible timeframe after the BH's- where I may go into actual labor? My pain tolerance is not high, and its not exactly comfortable... so I'm not sure what to think? Any thoughts?

HauteMama · Oct 17th, 2009, 12:32 AM

Unfortunately, BH contractions do not reliably indicate the onset of labor. Some people get them regularly throughout pregnancy, some people only get them near the end of their pregnancies, and others never have them at all. There is absolutely no correlation between BH contractions and labor.

However, if you are 38 weeks and haven't had any contractions before, your body may very well be starting to prepare for labor. Unfortunately, though, you won't know for sure when labor will start until it has already started with contractions that come regularly and don't stop. Good luck!

coachmommyofmin · Oct 17th, 2009, 01:36 AM

Q- is headache, nausea and feeling very hot part of braxton hicks???

zenith · Oct 17th, 2009, 06:37 AM

It's better to call your OB/ midwife to discuss your symptoms. There should be an emergency number to call even for weekends? You're 38 weeks so I think it's perfectly legitimate to be concerned. It's better to have false alarms than to be in real labour and not near a hospital.

HauteMama · Oct 17th, 2009, 05:37 PM

No, headache and nausea are not a part of BH, although being warm can be. Nausea is often an early sign of labor. And I agree with the pp that at 38 weeks it is not unreasonable to be cautious. Give a call and describe your symptoms so your doctor or midwife can decide whether you should be seen or not.

LV Luvr · Oct 17th, 2009, 05:47 PM

No those symptoms aren't poart of BH but rather real labor. Call your OB. I had BH for about a month before.

coachmommyofmin · Oct 17th, 2009, 10:08 PM

Hmmm.... well, it all stopped around 11:30pm yesterday and I got to sleep safe and sound... makes me wonder... today no contractions whatsoever and everything is usual. So the past 2 days i had contractions and now I don't... strange thing. If nothing happens I'll call the obgyn on monday and ask what they think. Thanks :)

dell · Oct 18th, 2009, 01:54 AM

Be careful of fever! But when the real contractions start you will know!

Lilwalnut · Oct 18th, 2009, 04:57 PM

I thought I was having BH, too...went to my 36 week appt and told the OB that they were intense, but not regular. She did an internal and said that I was 3cm dilated and 50% effaced and that only real contractions would dilate and efface the cervix. Have you had an internal exam yet? If you are dilated then they are the real deal!!! Oh, and yes, I am so nauseous and have been for several weeks - it's like morning sickness - all day sickness - all over again - ugh! The OB also mentioned that being nauseous is a sign of labor coming soon, too! GL!

Swanky Mama Of Three · Oct 18th, 2009, 05:11 PM

I started BX contrax at 16 weeks w/ my twins. It's just important to know what triggers your's so they don't start irritating your uterus. For me it was a full bladder, too much walking or sitting upright in a chair at my computer desk for too long.

vhdos · Oct 18th, 2009, 07:22 PM

I had BH for at least half of both of my pregnancies so they are not necessarily an indication of labor.

peanutbabycakes · Oct 19th, 2009, 08:36 PM

i had BH contractions every day starting at 16 weeks i think and they lasted all the way till i delivered at 36.5 weeks. i experienced them usually after walking too much or being on my feet for too long. putting my feet up and drinking lots of water helped. i never experienced real contractions.

lanasyogamama · Oct 20th, 2009, 11:01 AM

I had about a zillion BHs. Oy!

Oct 17th, 2009, 12:10 AM	#1
coachmommyofmin OP Member Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,318	How much BH Contractions before the "real deal"? I was wondering if there's a timeframe between BH contractions and the real contractions? I started having BH's yesterday, after 3 hrs they stopped, today again during the day, after a couple of hours they stopped and come and go irregularly. I can't find a comfortable position to sit, sleep or walk and everything is uncomfortable... Does that sound like the actual labor might be not far away? I'm at 38wks now and feel like I want to go to the bathroom constantly, but I don't have regular contractions, I think my uterus may be tightening once in a while, but the pain is just everywhere- back and abdomen, comes and goes, but irregular. Of course its the weekend and I don't have another ob appt untill next thursday, DH out for work the next few days and I'm puzzled on what's happening. Is there a possible timeframe after the BH's- where I may go into actual labor? My pain tolerance is not high, and its not exactly comfortable... so I'm not sure what to think? Any thoughts?
coachmommyofmin OP Member Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,318

Oct 17th, 2009, 12:32 AM	#2
HauteMama Member Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 6,845	Unfortunately, BH contractions do not reliably indicate the onset of labor. Some people get them regularly throughout pregnancy, some people only get them near the end of their pregnancies, and others never have them at all. There is absolutely no correlation between BH contractions and labor. However, if you are 38 weeks and haven't had any contractions before, your body may very well be starting to prepare for labor. Unfortunately, though, you won't know for sure when labor will start until it has already started with contractions that come regularly and don't stop. Good luck!
HauteMama Member Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 6,845

Oct 17th, 2009, 01:36 AM	#3
coachmommyofmin OP Member Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,318	Q- is headache, nausea and feeling very hot part of braxton hicks???
coachmommyofmin OP Member Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,318

Oct 17th, 2009, 06:37 AM	#4
zenith Member Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,488	It's better to call your OB/ midwife to discuss your symptoms. There should be an emergency number to call even for weekends? You're 38 weeks so I think it's perfectly legitimate to be concerned. It's better to have false alarms than to be in real labour and not near a hospital.
zenith Member Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,488	__________________

Oct 17th, 2009, 05:37 PM	#5
HauteMama Member Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 6,845	No, headache and nausea are not a part of BH, although being warm can be. Nausea is often an early sign of labor. And I agree with the pp that at 38 weeks it is not unreasonable to be cautious. Give a call and describe your symptoms so your doctor or midwife can decide whether you should be seen or not.
HauteMama Member Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 6,845

Oct 17th, 2009, 05:47 PM	#6
LV Luvr Member Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,302	No those symptoms aren't poart of BH but rather real labor. Call your OB. I had BH for about a month before.
LV Luvr Member Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,302

Oct 17th, 2009, 10:08 PM	#7
coachmommyofmin OP Member Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,318	Hmmm.... well, it all stopped around 11:30pm yesterday and I got to sleep safe and sound... makes me wonder... today no contractions whatsoever and everything is usual. So the past 2 days i had contractions and now I don't... strange thing. If nothing happens I'll call the obgyn on monday and ask what they think. Thanks :)
coachmommyofmin OP Member Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,318

Oct 18th, 2009, 01:54 AM	#8
dell Member Joined: May 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 5,432	Be careful of fever! But when the real contractions start you will know!
	__________________ ~Danielle~

Oct 18th, 2009, 04:57 PM	#9
Lilwalnut Miracles do exist! Joined: Jun 2007 Location: NJ & NoVA Posts: 738	I thought I was having BH, too...went to my 36 week appt and told the OB that they were intense, but not regular. She did an internal and said that I was 3cm dilated and 50% effaced and that only real contractions would dilate and efface the cervix. Have you had an internal exam yet? If you are dilated then they are the real deal!!! Oh, and yes, I am so nauseous and have been for several weeks - it's like morning sickness - all day sickness - all over again - ugh! The OB also mentioned that being nauseous is a sign of labor coming soon, too! GL!
	__________________

Oct 18th, 2009, 05:11 PM	#10
Swanky Mama Of Three Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas Area Posts: 42,786	I started BX contrax at 16 weeks w/ my twins. It's just important to know what triggers your's so they don't start irritating your uterus. For me it was a full bladder, too much walking or sitting upright in a chair at my computer desk for too long.
	__________________ Tweet http://twitter.com/PBSwanky

Oct 18th, 2009, 07:22 PM	#11
vhdos Member Joined: May 2007 Location: NC Posts: 3,144	I had BH for at least half of both of my pregnancies so they are not necessarily an indication of labor.
vhdos Member Joined: May 2007 Location: NC Posts: 3,144	__________________ visit Bonanzle.com

Oct 19th, 2009, 08:36 PM	#12
peanutbabycakes my dream came true.. Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 4,715	i had BH contractions every day starting at 16 weeks i think and they lasted all the way till i delivered at 36.5 weeks. i experienced them usually after walking too much or being on my feet for too long. putting my feet up and drinking lots of water helped. i never experienced real contractions.
	__________________ ...i'm finally a mommy! INTRODUCING: my 2 lil' PBC princes!! Brady Bailey

Oct 20th, 2009, 11:01 AM	#13
lanasyogamama Member Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,547	I had about a zillion BHs. Oy!
	__________________ I bespoke(d) it!: - Belen Echandia Hold Me Max in Orange with Purple lining

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