False Labor vs. BH

Sat Oct 06, 2012 8:43 am

So being that I'm a first timer I really dont know when I am having contractions that I should be worrying about and what are normal BH contractions. I was in the hospital last week with regular small contractions but baby was fine and cervix was still closed so they sent me home. I didn't really feel many contractions this week and went back to work but tried to rest more and stay hydrated.

Last night, I woke up in the middle of the night in serious pain. Contractions seemed to last longer but weren't as frequent. It felt like a low tightening in my abdomen and I'm thinking these were BH contractions. I walked around a bit and drank a bunch of water and was finally able to fall back asleep. I hate to bother doctors on the weekends if it nothing to worry about. I canceled by plans for today and plan to just stay in bed/on the couch and relax. Any advice?

Sat Oct 06, 2012 10:16 am

Hi, the tightening I get is two bulges on either side of my belly button and a hard abdomen, and more times than not it is accompanied by shortness of breath and discomfort. I'd wake up in the middle of the night several times as well because of a full bladder causes the BH contractions or the baby is moving around a lot. My BH started getting stronger, lasting longer, and becoming more frequent, but not more than 4 times in an hour. My doc said its normal when I asked her on Monday (except if it happens more than 4 times in an hour, then you u need to call doc). I also got an email from a baby website- i think it's what to expect...that also mentioned this happening. Since I got them so often, I started taking it more easy because I dont want to go into preterm labor. I do feel really bad about being "lazy" but this is the last trimester and we need to take it easy just for a couple of weeks. anyways, the BH seemed to have tapered off where I am not getting them so often. I also started breathing through them and not focusing on the discomfort, and it goes away much faster. Its a good way to practice your breathing techniques. If you feel at all uncomfortable, dont be afraid to call your doctor. That's what they are there for. =)

Sat Oct 06, 2012 11:50 am

Thanks!! Will definitely focus on the breathing next time it happens!! Of course it seems to happen worse at night :-(

Sat Oct 06, 2012 3:39 pm

I notice my BH are always worse in the evening. They also seem worse when I've had a busy day, so I do think resting more is helpful (although not always easy!) As long as you're having less than 4-6 per hour it's nothing to worry about. Last time I don't really remember noticing BH much, but this time they demand a little more attention. I definitely notice them, and just try to take a deep breath and relax. A full bladder also seems to bring them on, so I do try to empty my bladder if I have one or two, even if I don't feel the need to "go".

embee/Monica Co-Leader Nov 2012 DDC embee.bzcl@gmail.com

Sat Oct 06, 2012 4:57 pm

With my first son I had a lot of false labor and BH. They always tell you BH can not be timed and they won't hurt, but that isn't entirely true, it totally depends on the person. The best way I know how to tell between the real thing and the fake thing (and believe me when you are in the real thing you'll be like OH, I'm def. in real labor now) is that I usually change positions, like if I'm laying down I get up, on my feet all day and go and put my feet up. Then I take a nice warm bath. I try to drink water. The bath usually stops anything that isn't real for me. It's like the minute you really relax and take your mind off of it it will stop. This is the same thing the Drs. will tell you to do. Hydrate, change positions, and take a bath. The real thing will also get closer together and the contractions get longer and stronger. It's hard to tell a first timer you will just know when you are, but you will. I can't say I didn't have moments with my first when I really thought I was but then when I was I def. wasn't second guessing myself at all, I was like yep, we need to go NOW!

Sat Oct 06, 2012 5:00 pm

Oh another thing I forgot to mention. When you are having a contraction, feel your belly, if it's hard all over and not any soft spots it's probably a real contraction. If there are some soft spots and it's not ROCK hard it's probably BH, but that can be different for everyone too. One thing I do notice when I'm in real labor or really early labor. My contractions will actually pull me down. Like if I'm standing up, my back will literally start to curl in towards my belly. I think because it's using all your uterine muscles but it feels like it's pulling you. It's very weird. And it really does get super rock hard.

Sat Oct 06, 2012 6:17 pm

Ok thanks! I'll keep an eye on them

Sat Oct 06, 2012 10:03 pm

What she said! Take a bath, drink, go pee, change positions, lie on your left side. BH will stop, the real thing won't.

Sat Oct 06, 2012 11:45 pm

The way I have always known the difference is that the tightening works it's way up and wraps around to my lower back. That's how I know it's a contraction and not a BH.

Mon Oct 08, 2012 9:56 am

I hear ya on this post... I have been wondering the same thing... I had some pretty painful BH contractions and everyone said they shouldnt hurt so i was freaking out a little and I noticed on my way to work I start to get them pretty bad but once I get here and go to the bathroom they feel better... but also being a first timer I am so lost in knowing what to feel and whats "normal" and what to look for...I did find this info though but most of it has already been stated...

Braxton-Hicks (False Labor)
•Irregular and remain irregular
•Don't get closer together as time passes
•Often are weak and stay that way (might have stronger contractions followed by weaker ones)
•Stop when you rest, walk, or change positions
•Vary in length and intensity
•Don't affect your cervix
•Pain usually felt only in the front

Contractions True Labor Contractions
•Regular intervals or regular pattern
•Grow closer together over time
•Increase in strength/intensity over time
•Keep coming no matter what you do
•Usually last 30 to 90 seconds (shorter when they begin and get progressively longer and stronger)
•Cause cervix to dilate (open)
•Pain begins in back and moves to front.

Angel Baby 01/03/2012

Mon Oct 15, 2012 4:30 pm

Lurking from Dec: I am a FTM, but I've had a lot of BHs. At first, they used to not hurt. Lately, they hurt and my stomach gets rock hard with no soft spots. For me, it usually happens when I get too dehydrated. I sit and make myself down multiple glasses of water before freaking out (I just went through 4 painful ones in a row last night-- water fixed it!)

Before, when they weren't as strong, they would stop if I sat down and elevated my feet.

I just wanted to comment, because I am an example of painful, rock hard ones that still aren't real.