Hi Ladies!
Ok, so I have been having Braxton Hicks/Contractions since 22 weeks. Since last week the Braxton Hicks/Contractions have grown stronger, though still not "painful" they're just uncomfortable. I was put on Procardia twice a day to stop/slow them since they are regular, fortunately they have not caused dilation. However, the past couple of days (especially yesterday) I was experiencing a pressure/pain down there. Days before when it happened it would be quick sudden pain, I assumed it was my little guy stretching or pushing, but yesterday I noticed it was happening when I was contracting and the pain/pressure was as they say "coming on, peaking and then fading away" this only lasted for maybe two hours off & on. Then they subsided. They were the most painful/uncomfortable thing I've felt yet, I couldn't walk during one & while a few happened in the car I made my husband stop because any bump or bounce made it worse. Is this what a "real contraction" feels like? Obviously I know they will only get stronger from here but is this a sample of what's to come? Or is it just lightening crotch that I've read about?! I am sure my OB will check me at my next appointment so if I am at all dilated I will definitely believe whatever I've been feeling is making changes but that isn't till next week. So until then I am curious to see if any of you felt something similar & what was the outcome?
ETA: I am 32w3d
You might also enjoy...
-
Does sound like prodromal labor but it's so hard to tell since everyone experiences contractions differently. If you're already on meds for it, I would probably call your OB and get checked just to be safe.
-
@MMcAlli: I wouldn't wait until your next appointment to be checked. I would go to L&D and get checked out.
-
Id get checked out. "Lightening crotch" feels like your vagina is getting a little electric shock, and has to do with nerve compression or something, what you are describing sounds more like contractions to me.
-
In my experience, lightning crotch felt like, well, lightning. Fast, and sharp, not like what you're describing. Yours does sound like what early labor was for me. As someone who ignored early warning signs (per doctor's orders) and wound up with a preemie at 33+1, my recommendation is to ALWAYS take these things seriously and go in. I would rather waste my time and feel foolish a hundred times than risk another stay in the NICU.
Though now I'm more angry at my doctors/midwives. They gave you procardia even though you weren't dilating. I started having BH's at 10 weeks, which were frequently two minutes apart and often mildly painful, but I was told not to worry unless I had definite signs of labor (e.g. loss of mucous plug, water breaking, etc). I brought it up at every appointment, with both midwives and maternal fetal medicine OB's, and they all said that. And I now know I was at higher risk for preterm labor because I only had 3 months between nearly full term pregnancies, which they were aware of and which should have been a red flag in conjunction with the constant BH's, but they dismissed me.
Anyway, I hope your situation isn't anything to worry about, but that's my two cents based on my experience.
-
@Torchwood: Wow. I got put on Procardia as soon as they picked up contractions on a monitor. I was 26 weeks and cervix was still completely closed and thick.
-
@Truth Bombs: was there a reason they monitored you? I never had Braxton hicks my first pregnancy, but have had them this time. They only happen close together if I'm tired or exercising, and are at worst slightly uncomfortable....but they make me so nervous.
-
@Silva: I had bleeding. I actually couldn't feel the contractions at all! But my doc sent me to the ER for the bleeding and they discovered the contractions then.
-
@Truth Bombs: Twinsies, of course. Are we living the same life?
I would go to L&D and get it checked out. Better safe than sorry.
If it makes you feel better, I had tons of contractions, bleeding, lightening crotch... the whole mess -- and the little booger stayed put until 39 weeks (c-section)!
-
@LBee: My nugget also decided to stay put for the long hall despite causing all sorts of drama along the way! That was my older one. The new baby put me through much less stress during pregnancy! We might have to have a meet up where we can talk about nerdy financial stuff and swap Jon Jons
-
@Truth Bombs: They only monitored once (her heart rate was really high), and they barely registered anything even though I had multiple BH's during it (at least 5 in the 20 minutes). I don't know why it wasn't picking anything up.
-
@Torchwood: Thanks for sharing your story. Wow, that is crazy they did not put you on some kind of medicine to stop/slow the contractions. I would be upset with them too! I went to L&D last weekend when I noticed my contractions were coming regularly every three minutes this was after they did not stop when I laid down for an hour & drank 5 glasses of water. Even though my nurse was super nice I was sent home feeling so so stupid. They monitored me for 5 hours, the contractions never spaced out even after a dose of Procardia. They checked me twice which showed no dilation so he sent me home with instructions to take it easy, to come back if I lost my plug or started bleeding & to see my OB the following day.
The following day my OB prescribed me Procardia & also done a FFN test which came back negative. Which he said means 99% chance I would NOT deliver in the next two weeks. That is the main reason I did not call yesterday plus it went away after two hours. I did not time the contractions/pain since I wasn't sure what I was feeling. I know if it happens again I will definitely time them and be calling my OB. -
@Silva: At 22 weeks, after speaking with several mom friends, I ended up at L&D where they monitored me which showed what I was feeling was in fact contractions. Since then I have had them daily but up until last week they did not come in any pattern. As you said they were not painful by any means just uncomfortable/noticeable. I was nervous, like you, especially being a FTM myself. My advice is to drink lots & lots of water, especially if you're exercising. If they keep on definitely mention it to your doctor & if they get regular go to L&D.
-
Thanks for sharing your stories & experiences. I did not think what I was experiencing was lightening crotch but wasn't for sure. Today I haven't had the pain with my "normal" contractions, so I assume that is good. I may still move up my OB appointment or message him just to see what he has to say.
I really hate not knowing what I'm experiencing and if it's normal or not. Glad I have you bees to ask when I am unsure! -
I've been feeling intense vaginal pressure for the past few weeks It feels like I've been repeatedly kicked in the crotch or as if I rode a bike for too long. I feel like I need to walk around holding my crotch to put counter pressure on it. I have the pressure ALL the damn time regardless of whether I'm having contractions or not.
According to my Dr, the sensation is pressure from weight of the baby as it's head makes it's way deeper into your pelvis in preparation for labor.
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
14 comments