What do braxton hicks feel like?

The are at the bottom
Of the uterus.

They feel just like contractions but they don’t worsen

My stomach tightened and it was extremely uncomfortable like I was severely bloated with no poop coming out

I don’t think they can be consistent. You might be dehydrated or intercourse might have led to uterine cramping.

Good thing you are going to the Doctor. Every one is different

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Labor is mostly longer, stronger, closer together. That said I was having what I thought were Braxton Hicks n they weren’t. I called my Dr ( 3rd baby) n asked if I could come in as the contractions hadn’t stopped in 2 hours but there was no pattern. I was 39 weeks. I just knew I didn’t feel right. She checked me n I was fully dilated n fully effaced. She said my water was intact but she could feel the baby’s head. Off to Labor n Delivery I went n had my daughter 10 min after I got settled. Lol. If I had waited n my water had broken I’d be delivering my own baby

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Intercourse always causes uterine irritation for me, it shows up on the monitor as mild contractions too. They usually seem to go away. Lately I’ve felt the tightening all over but it’s never consistent I’m 36 weeks on Wednesday pretty close to how far you are. Don’t be surprised if they send you home from irritation from sex.

My stomach just gets really, really tight feeling. Almost like the baby is stretching all the way out. It only lasts for a few minutes and doesn’t come back like real contractions do.

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I’m 31 weeks. They sometimes are uncomfortable, but I wouldn’t say exactly painful. Lately mine have been really low toward the bottom of my uterus. They don’t last long maybe 20-30 seconds. Contractions after orgasm or intercourse are normal. Drink lots of water and rest.

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Might be labor. Braxton Hicks are more in your tummy. And it super painful. Just very very tight and can’t really move or breathe right for a Moment. It’s like
Your belly turns into a tight ball for a moment and not usually consistent. Just random.

Mine didn’t hurt. Just a ripple going from one end of my belly to the other. I was having too many when pregnant with my twins. Turns out I had an infected tooth, root canal took care of it and the contractions.

When I had Braxton hicks I didnt feel any pain it just felt like the skin on my stomach was tightening and contracting

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Your uterus contracting from having an orgasm :woman_shrugging:t2:

When you reach they’ll inform you. I know this is safe haven and mommy advice central but when it comes to pregnancy and pain I’ve learned the hard way get myself to a hospital instead of online listening to advice of well meaning women with extremely different conditions than mine. Please go to the ER when you’re in pain

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Braxton Hicks are a random contracting of the uterus. They won’t be consistent and definitely won’t start to come closer and closer together. Sex can trigger real contractions especially later in pregnancy. Sounds like that might be what happened.

I thought I was having Braxton Hicks because they were sporadic and there was no logic in the process but it turned out I was in labor. One would happen and 5 minutes later another, then 8 minutes, then 2 minutes, then 15. I drove myself to the hospital in active labor

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I Actually found All 3 of mine With Brixton Hicks Actually Hurt… as much as they Say they shouldn’t Hurt All I know all 3 of mine Hurt everyone is so different to How it feels and if they are gonna hurt or not. You know when ur In Real Labour Its hard to explain.

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any updates i wonder did she go into labor

Asking advice is great…but im hoping you’ve been to hospital and everything is OK

Help a mama out and respond anonymously on our forum. What do braxton hicks feel like? - Mamas Uncut

I’m glad you are on your way to hospital because this was me! I was 34+5 have the same you and I had my little boy the next day! Definitely go in and get checked!

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Mine felt like a severe period pain that came and went but they caused me to have hot flushes. Tightening of the belly and pelvic area! X

Mine felt like my entire bump has hardened and was stretching. They started at 31 weeks and then calmed down at 37 :see_no_evil:

My Braxton Hicks with my daughter were so strong I didn’t realise when labour started. I had Braxton Hicks for 2 months before she was born. Never really had them with the boys.

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It’s different with everyone, some women only feel there belly tightening ect with no pain, some women have moderate pain and other women have all pain. From my understanding braxton hicks are never in sequences, as they say it’s more like “practice labor” …

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Help a mama out and respond anonymously on our forum. What do braxton hicks feel like? - Mamas Uncut

So my period cramps are normally way WORSE than my actual contractions!! Thank god for mirana!! Now I have none of that. Braxton Hicks for me just felt like my stomach/belly getting tight as a rock. If you make a real tight Popeye muscle with your bicep and you can feel the MUSCLE tighted but no real pain, that’s what they felt like for me.

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For me it’s a tightening from my lower abdomen that goes up to the top of my belly. Some I get are crazy tight and I have to work on breathing. Feels like someone sitting on me.
I’ve had alot today and I’m 32 weeks.
With BH, if you move around/take a nice bath/shower, they will go away.
Every single person is different. Just like some women have back labour and some dont. Some breeze through labour and others really feel it. I thought I was having BH with my 1 son. Every 5 mins. I went to get checked and they were real and I was 3cms dilated. He came a few days later.

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I have 3 kiddos and i never experienced any labor contractions. ( scheduled c-sections) however my last child was born at 29 weeks. I did feel some contracting but i didnt know that at the time. So…her dad basically didnt care and went to sleep. That was 3am. By 5am i got a ride to the hospital and she was born by 7am. When we would have intercourse i always had cramping in my pelvic area. So, hopefully that is what is causing your discomfort. You are in my prayers.

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Always better to play it safe. I thought I was having Braxton hicks and was in labor and had my baby at 29 weeks :pensive:

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I think it depends on so many factors for each individual that it is hard to give advice …I would just say trust your body and if you don’t then go get checked for peace of mind I didn’t realize Braxton hicks from cramping pain from periods and I ended up in 13 hours of back labor to have a c-section at 37 weeks with my first

Period cramps, the big brother of cramps haha. Mine felt like bad cramping, and similar to contractions without the pain

I can’t tell if my child has put their hand above her head and it’s placing pressure on my cervix sometimes, or if it’s Braxton hicks. I remember when in labor with my first child, I was only experiencing menstrual cramp type pain, and I was expecting a lot more pain so I was mentally preparing myself for an immense pain that never really happened.

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I never had bad contractions, my contractions felt like bad period cramps. Had them on and off for two days before my water broke at 33 weeks. I delivered a 4lb5oz 5oz baby girl within 9 hours of my water actually breaking

Labor is a big possibility at 35 weeks. With them coming so frequently, I would think it could possibly be the real deal or Braxton Hicks. If this is your first child your doing the right thing mamma by going to be checked out to make sure. :heart: good luck to you and hoping you feel better soon. As far as preparing yourself, just take a deep breath and let things come as they are. One step at a time.

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Just a really blunt pain. When your whole stomach gets hard as a rock and gets very mis-shapened. I had these for 3 months prior before going into labor with all 3 of my kids.

Idk about everyone else but when I was pregnant I couldn’t tell the difference between Braxton hicks and actual contractions to the point where when I was in labor I was convinced it was just Braxton hicks again but thankfully still went to get checked out

Braxton felt like my stomach being really tight, actual labor cramps felt like the worst period cramps I had ever imagined

Sounds more like you are in labor labor is wave of contractions that come as close together as 10 minutes and lasts at least 30 seconds

Mine felt like a constant cramp pain on my left side, around my hip, belly and lower pelvis area. It lasted for hours at a time, then it’d go away for an hour and come back for hours at a time again, sporadically. I only started getting them around 37 weeks. They’re very different than labour contractions. Those things build up and fall back down quickly. Braxton hicks felt like a constant stabbing pain.

I have no idea lol I swore I black and blue I was having Braxton Hicks with my second baby then there was a little bit of blood so told the midwife, she was already at the hospital and told us to go there and get checked out and 20min after arriving at hospital the baby came lol very fast but I was 39 weeks

I get them starting at 20-22 weeks each pregnancy. They’re just tightening with minimal pain or discomfort. They’re just tight. Real labor felt like period pain only. Back crampy and achy, front achy like full blown period was going. And it felt that way non stop for a couple days before baby was born.

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With 2 of my 4 the Braxton hicks were so bad I thought for sure I was going into labor like I’d have to stop and lay down. It was like a wrap around pain I could feel them in my back too. It started around 34 or 35 weeks I had c sections at 39 weeks with both and they started about a month before I was so worried I’d go into labor before my c section.

It feels like tightening occasionally a little bit of pain but not like real labor pain

I would say Braxton Hicks , which happens more after intercourse.
Period like cramps, pretty close to real labour honestly. Just not as close together

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I promise real labor you probably wouldn’t be questioning it lol if you can walk around fine you should be ok or drink water a put your feet up if they go away judt Braxton Hicks

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I had contractions closer to the time I gave birth during my second pregnancy. To me that felt like mild period cramps. I didn’t get them all the time all day. But they were noticeable. I always thought they were Braxton Hicks contractions, but I’m not sure now. I had a scheduled c section.

My suggestion is to drink water and take a bath if they get closer together or stronger then go in. If you can talk through them and walk through them don’t go in.

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I remember they felt like period cramps. That’s the best way I could explain my experience.

I always remember the 5-1-1 rule: 5 min apart, lasts 1 min, in 1 hr.

I would have to say that every pregnancy is different. You may get contractions in your belly, back, or pelvic area. Mine was in my pelvic area and that was 20x worse than PMS cramps. You will definitely know when you’re in labor. The day I had my son, I looked at my husband that morning before he left for work and was like: “this baby is coming today, so keep your phone on you”. He wasn’t even at work for an hour (thank God he only worked 15 mins away), and I called him and said it’s go time. We went to the hospital and I was 7 CM. Literally 2 days before that, I was only at 3 CM. Lol.

But, I would suggest drinking some water and lying down on your left side. Prop a pillow between your legs and just relax. Listen to your body, you’ll know when the day comes.

Good luck! :sparkling_heart:

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Your stomach will harden up for about 5 minutes & then relax. It’s just your body preparing you for labor. I had than real bad with my daughter, but she weighed 8 lbs. Had to have emergency c-section. I weighed 98 lbs before I got pregnant with her. My son was delivered 2 weeks early via c-section & weighed 6 lbs 11 1/2 oz.

They felt like period cramps to me and always came when I wasn’t drinking enough.

I don’t even remember Braxton hicks contractions AT ALL. You know what I remember clear as day? REAL contractions! The pain is so intense…and mine was all in my back and bum. :rofl:
But it was most likely the intercorse that brought on your cramps. Semen softens the cervix and your mucus plug has probly been agitated…even if it hasn’t come out yet. I bet it will come out tonight…or tomorrow…even if it pieces.
Also orgasm contracts your uterus as well…which can also give you cramps
Dr will prob tell you no sex til after 37 weeks. Happened to me lololol
Goodluck girl.

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I just had my baby Saturday night and I labored at home until my water broke. My contractions felt like really strong intense period cramps. They would stop me in my tracks and I’d have to focus on breathing. To me Braxton Hicks were just my tummy tightening

braxton hicks aren’t usually regular, they can’t usually be timed. mine always felt like just pressure, like my stomach was turning inside out if that makes sense. never hurt like actual contractions so.

If it makes you stop talking those are real contractions. What you have sounds like you might just need some water and rest. Doing to much can definitely cause Braxton hicks.

It depended on each pregnancy. With my first they just felt like my stomach muscles tightening and relaxing, more frequently if I moved around a lot. With my 2nd they weren’t painful or anything, just a little more uncomfortable at times. With my 3rd they actually got pretty painful some times, and were MUCH more uncomfortable and annoying. They ended up being actual contractions, not BH because I ended up having an irritable uterus so I was actually in “early labor” the last couple months but nothing really could be done about them cause there was no dilation/cervical changes/or baby distress.

I had Braxton Hicks for the last few months if my first pregnancy. They were always in my back. I couldn’t walk and would almost fall when I started having one.

Kinda sounds like Braxton Hicks. They can be strong, consistent, but if they don’t eventually get closer together and longer and way stronger and your not dilating or effacing (no progress) then it’s not full blown labor

Usually, Braxton hicks don’t last longer than 30 - 40 seconds, don’t become more intense and don’t increase in frequency. Labour pains last longer, become increasingly more intense/painful and become more frequent the closer you get to delivery.

Basically like tightening of the uterus and pressure down below and they don’t last long. It sounds like braxton hicks. Mine started around 20 weeks with my 3rd, 4th & 5th baby.

If you drink water and goes away it Braxton Hicks

This is how I look at it now since I dislocated my leg no I was stupid and did not tell anyone plus fell on ice while pregnant hid it from.my doctor till the midwife who delivered my daughter told me I had no choice but to go to labor and delivery which is amazing where I live as it’s not in the hospital. I went to the hospital for preterm labor at 25 weeks induced at 36 weeks to a 8lb 7oz baby. I wanted to go in a lot sooner as I was over the pain as I couldn’t walk down the stairs or up with out contractions. They hurt a lot worse and the pain is unmanageable

My stomach would tighten up like a rock. I didn’t have cramps with mine tho

I went into preterm labor almost a month before my son was supposed to be born.
I could feel my belly tighten and hurt a bit but they stopped the contractions.
He was supposed to be born March 8th but I needed a c-section so it was scheduled on March 1st.
Feb 23nd I was having contractions again… this time stronger and I knew it wasn’t braxton hicks contractions.
I had an ultrasound that day and the tech asked if I knew I was having contractions. At first I honestly just thought it was the baby pushing his feet out and it was causing it.
But later that evening I went to the hospital because I knew it wasn’t right.
(Plus tech said to stay near hospital.)
I was having contractions but hospital said I wasn’t dialated and the contractions were sporadic.
Feb 24th I had an obgyn appointment.
He seen I had went to the hospital the night before and asked if I was still hurting.
I told him yes and it moved to my back also.
He checked me and told me I was having the baby that day and to go straight to the hospital. I was 2cm dialated.
He did an ultrasound to check on the baby and sent me off.
I had my son an hr later.
I took my time getting to the hospital because my bf was working out of town and this is his first child so I didn’t want him to miss it.
10 mins after he arrived, our son was born. He was 5lbs 8oz but otherwise healthy.

They feel more like tight muscles and don’t get stronger or longer.

Mine felt like period cramps and only last anywhere from 10-40 seconds

Like real labor mixed with gas and heartburn. It’s awful!!

Lol not everyone experiences the same.

They were really painful for me, that i had a few false alarms.

I have had 3 babies. My longest labor being 79 hours at 34 weeks to ny shortest being around 6 hours at 35 weeks. I had Braxton hicks with my first born and they felt like really bad gas pains. Like how you start to cramp up really bad and your stomach feels tight when you have to go to the bathroom. I had bh consistently for 4 or more hours but wasn’t dilating so the hospital gave me an iv bag. Come to find out they were caused by me having a uti. So since I wasn’t dilating they sent me home, 3 days later I started having them again but they were a little more painful, went to the hospital and I was in fact in labor. My 2nd pregnancy was 79 hours and my contractions were absolutely terrible. They kept trying many things to stop my labor as I was only 33w 4d when I went in. Finally at 1am they told me nothing was working that I was having a baby soon. So I had him 3 days later at 34w. He spent 10 days in the nicu with some respiratory issues and he had trouble latching to breastfeed or suck a bottle so he had a feeding tube for a few days. My daughter then, my 3rd pregnancy I started having contractions and was like “I was in labor for 3 days with my last pregnancy so I’m sure ill be in labor forever this time to” so I decided to stay home. Then they got close together and I went to the hospital that was 45 mins away. Got to the exit for the hospital and starting having really bad contractions to where I couldn’t even talk and they were a min apart. Got to the hospital and up to l&d and I was 10cm ready to push! They had me pushing as rhey were getting me in a gown and putting mt iv in. It was all so fast it was crazy. My fiance and I had intercourse the night before and I started having contractions that morning…so you might definitely be having a baby early. GOOD thing is at 35 weeks as long as there is no issues with the baby, they don’t have to go to the nicu and can go home when you do. Good luck mama! Hope you have a smooth and quick delivery with a beautiful healthy baby!

Real contractions for me just felt like the baby was balling up. Don’t remember what Braxton Hicks really felt like.

Braxton Hicks are usually tightening at the uppermost of your belly real contractions are down low and in your back and you will definitely know if they are real or not. Good luck and congratulations on new baby

I’m currently 33+5 and I keep having them since I was 24 weeks.
Sounds funny, but it feels like hella pressure from the butt :joy: feels like this baby about to crawl outta my :peach::joy::joy::joy: and that’s how it’s been with my first son as well!

Yup like period cramps. You will know when you in labor the pain gets more intense

BH stay fairly mild. If they become difficult to bear you probably need to call your OB for guidance or go to the hospital

Sounds like tony braxton hicks

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They only happened after I was pregnant for second time

I thought I was having braxtkn hicks for a good 18 hours before my waters broke and I gave birth

Your stomach just gets really hard.

For me they felt like my worse period cramps

They feel like period cramps

It’s Braxton Hicks I had that with my baby girl

Drink lots of water and put your feet up. If they go away, BH. If they continue and become very regular call your Dr or go to the ER.

Call your Dr asap. Not every pregnancy is the same. Good luck :pray:

This question is always so hard for me to explain, for me they felt like contracts but not bad ones… bad contracts are when you go into the hospital ,they were worse then period cramps but not stop me in me tracks contracts :woman_shrugging:

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All I can say is when you’re in labor you WILL KNOW.

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Tightening of the belly, uterus, without a lot if any actual pain. Just weird uncomfortable feeling

Braxton Hicks honestly feels like contractions. I had them forever and it was just tightening just like a contraction. I had back labor which is super dangerous because most the time do not know your in labor with it because you can’t feel it. I had tightening and uncomfortablness but that’s all for my contractions. I never screamed nothing. My water was broke by doctors and just because you lose your mucus plug does not mean labor either because you can lose it throughout the pregnancy and it grows back. Contractions are all different for everyone. They could be super painful or could be just a discomfort. For me it was just a discomfort since I had back labor. Honestly your this far along I’d be going to hospital if I felt I was in labor each time and not risking it. I could talk walk and had no issues when I went into labor so it’s not true the whole if can do that then not in labor thing. I’d say get checked and be safe.

Intercourse can deffinetly bring on braxton hicks but it can also help you go into labour if your far enough along. They feel the same as regular contractions, but they dont hurt as bad. They are deffinetly still uncomfortable but they arent as severe. However, if they are coming every 5 mins, you may be in labour. When I was 38 or 39 weeks along w/ my 2nd one, I started having what I thought was braxton hicks one mourning around 4am. They kept coming & going but they werent coming at steady intervals, getting closer together. Like I would contract then 15 mins later have another one then 30 mins later have another one, ect. It was very sporadic but they werent going away. Finally around noon that day, I called my o.b & asked if they thought I was going into labour. They said well if your water hasnt broke yet, and they are sporadic and not consistent, then it would be a waste to come all the way to the hospital. I said okay & hung up & by about 3pm I was like okay they dont kno what their talking about bc this shit isnt going away, I kno Im going into labour. I drove myself to the hospital, they took their sweet time getting me a room bc they thought I was over reacting & not really in labour. I finally got a room around 10pm… they checked my cervix & it was almost time to push, I was already almost fulled dialated… long story short lol listen to your body, if you feel something isnt right, go anyways, & if your not satisfied go somewhere else for a second opinion. Good luck babe, you got this!!:+1:t2:

My 1st pregnancy i had regular Braxton Hicks the last trimester. 5 hours labor start to delivery. The 2nd and 3rd pregnancies I had BH regularly 3rd trimester on. 2nd Labor and delivery start to finish 1:58. 3rd labor and delivery start to finish :34 min. My Dr. Said my uterus was primed and ready to go each time. All 3 labors combined were less than 8 hours, no drugs, all Lamaze breathing. Lucky me.

Braxton Hicks are spontaneous and have no time pattern to them. Real contraction will come at regular time intervals, like every 5 minutes and get stronger and closer as time goes on. I think they say if your less than 36 weeks and have more than 5 in an hour to go in.

OK so getting checked is a great idea. My husband kept telling me that I was in labor, but I didn’t believe him because it didn’t hurt. I was in labor for about 15 hours before I went in and I was only at a 4. I’m so glad I went in though! Apparently my body is not built for birthing babies and there was no way she was gonna come out the “normal” way! After 4cms, the pain did get worse to the point of hurting, but then I had an emergency c. I never had pain in my stomach though, just the most intense period like back cramps.

Braxton hicks contractions are painful but not not nearly as painful as a regular contraction. A Braxton hicks will feel like a period cramp but if you are having them every five minutes I’d head to the hospital. I never went into labor with either of my kids. I was induced with my son who ended up being a C-section baby and my daughter was a C-section baby from the start, so I personally don’t know what real contractions are but I’m very familiar with Braxton hocks and THEY SUCK

I have experience Braxton hicks all 4 pregnancy. But with my last I thought I was experience it but I wasn’t I went into labor at 29 weeks with her . Call your doctor asap … And congratulations…

Period cramps. Same as labor. But with labor it gets worse and stronger

They could be either, honestly. Sex can trigger labor at this point but, if you are in labor, they will more than likely stop it. Best of luck!

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They feel like period cramps but more intense.

They hurt for me like strong period pains sometimes to the point i couldnt move

Braxton hicks feels different to everyone. Consistency is the difference between the two. Braxton aren’t consistent. They do not start getting more frequent.

Definitely sound like braxton hicks. I would avoid sex in the last trimester because of it… Also had lots of lightening crotch.