Thread: Braxton Hicks

What do BH feel like? I've heard they are a tightening around your stomach and then I heard they felt like AF cramps. I've been asked if I get them but I have no idea since I don't know what they feel like. I've definitely had AF type cramps lately but I don't know if I could say that is BH.

I have heard both descriptions too, and I have both types. I have menstrual type cramps sometimes - way down low across my entire abdomen- they don't really "come and go", they are just persistent for a few minutes (or a few hours, as I experienced a couple of weeks ago). And I also have the tightening of my whole belly often too, esp. when I am up doing stuff and being very active. I dunno.

I've also heard both descriptions, and I think it really varies for each mom. I only have the tightening type. Actually, the only time I remember having the AF-type BH was a few days before my DS was born!

I am getting them frequently, seems to be more of them, and earlier on, with each pregnancy. For me it's a real tightening, awfully uncomfortable if I'm trying to walk, and it really makes me have to pee asap. Lasts for a minute or two, then gone. My belly gets SO hard, and lumpy, like you can feel exactly where the baby is during the tightening.

I just keep having AF type cramps across the bottom of my uterus. Its sometimes really painful and lasts a while.

All I had with dd was a few tightening, nothing painful. With dd, it was both and they actually hurt some. This time they are tightening again and not painful but really uncomfortable.

Some days I get them a lot, it starts with a pain in my lower back or the front of my hip, I always seem to think "Ouch" and then my whole abdomen gets hard and I get out of breath. It is not much like cramps for me, and not thing like labor contractions....totally different and I hate them.

Ok you ladies made me think....is it possible to get them and they are just uncomfortable, like I ate a meal too big and my stomach gets rock hard? There are times throughout every day when my stomach can't even be pushed in because its so hard and its so uncomfortable. Like "let me sit down and everyone go away" discomfort. Or is that just because I ate a big meal.

Originally Posted by Jenn0113

Ok you ladies made me think....is it possible to get them and they are just uncomfortable, like I ate a meal too big and my stomach gets rock hard? There are times throughout every day when my stomach can't even be pushed in because its so hard and its so uncomfortable. Like "let me sit down and everyone go away" discomfort. Or is that just because I ate a big meal.

That's what they feel like to me 90% of the time.

I've honestly never had BH contractions with any of my babies, but I've read that they are a tighening around and through your uterus, that they're not really painful, just uncomfortable. Sorry I couldn't be more help than that!

I am REALLY confused about BH's too!!!

The day before I had Luke I know I had them. I had completely painless tightening every 30 minutes all day long. They were definitely classic BH's.


Otherwise, I have LOTS of cramps that can be pretty uncomfortable. I have no idea if they are contractions or not because BH's aren't supposed to be painful. I get lots of cramping when I'm overly active. I have no idea if those are contractions or not! My tummy aches pretty frequently.

I hate when the doc asks about contractions because I don't know if I'm having any or not!