https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 11 Apr 2026 07:29:43 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-braxton-hicks-after-exertion-harmless-or-should-i-slow-down#post-2484507 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 14:12:31 +0000 sslm 2484507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: if they were timeable I wouldn't call them Braxton hicks! I would talk to your doctor for sure </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-braxton-hicks-after-exertion-harmless-or-should-i-slow-down#post-2484505 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 14:10:50 +0000 TrailRunner 2484505@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: they are usually when I am moving around a lot trying to get all my nightly "chores" done. (Cooking, washing hair for work, taking care of pets, cleaning up kitchen, etc.) So, no certain time per se, but always during those activities. I drink a TON of water already, so the only thing that really makes it go away is just sitting down. I was convinced it wasn't actually BH bc they aren't the come and go feeling, but my doctor said that's what it was and I guess they know best. I hope all these BH mean my uterus is ready go on time :silly:</p> <p>ETA: my doctor also kind of insinuated that they probably were the come and go feeling, but since I'm a FTM I don't know what I'm feeling? Idk he isn't my regular dr since the practice makes me rotate through. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-braxton-hicks-after-exertion-harmless-or-should-i-slow-down#post-2484499 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 14:07:51 +0000 MrsSRS 2484499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My midwives said they're a signal from your body to take a break and hydrate. So, yes, slow down. Pace yourself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-braxton-hicks-after-exertion-harmless-or-should-i-slow-down#post-2484497 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 14:05:07 +0000 LindsayLou 2484497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd double check with your doctor, but personally, I think it varies from person to person. I had frequent, strong Braxton hicks from about 28 weeks on. Often 7 or 8 in an hour. My midwife never worried, and neither did I. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-braxton-hicks-after-exertion-harmless-or-should-i-slow-down#post-2484483 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 13:58:32 +0000 Cherrybee 2484483@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@TrailRunner: Are they at the same time every night? I had some awful ones a few evenings ago, they were timeable - 2 mins long and 10 mins apart - :shocked: Then I drank a load of water and they went away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-braxton-hicks-after-exertion-harmless-or-should-i-slow-down#post-2484461 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 13:38:48 +0000 TrailRunner 2484461@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh man. Glad I am reading these responses. I usually have Braxton hicks for about an hour straight every night (not the typical come and go contractions most people describe), and my doctor said it was no big deal and didn't mention taking it easy during it. I will def start taking it easy now tho! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-braxton-hicks-after-exertion-harmless-or-should-i-slow-down#post-2484433 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 13:07:20 +0000 psw27 2484433@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would take it easy! I always pushed myself and my LO ended up 6 weeks early. I wish I had listened to my body more, it was screaming to slow down. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-braxton-hicks-after-exertion-harmless-or-should-i-slow-down#post-2484375 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 12:26:23 +0000 Torchwood 2484375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine started at 10 weeks, and were always super frequent. I was told to drink lots of water and get off my feet if they got too bad, but mostly don't worry about it. But I had LO at 33w. So I don't really trust "don't worry about it" anymore. I would err on the side of caution, even when it's inconvenient. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-braxton-hicks-after-exertion-harmless-or-should-i-slow-down#post-2484104 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 08:42:20 +0000 lamariniere 2484104@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got them a lot with my second pregnancy, especially when carrying around my older LO. I talked to my doctor about it and he said to slow down with physical exertion, and more than 5 per hour was cause for concern. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-braxton-hicks-after-exertion-harmless-or-should-i-slow-down#post-2484092 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 08:33:40 +0000 Mrs D 2484092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had these a ton over Christmas break as I was trying to be super productive. Dr said I needed to chill out if I have more than 4 an hour (as @Truth Bombs: ) said or if they last for more than a couple hours.</p> <p>If you aren't already make sure to wear some full panel maternity pants or a bang to support your belly. My Dr said that the muscles straining to support the weight can cause them when there is no harm.</p> <p>FWIW - I told her I had probably had a handful for a couple of hours each day of christmas break so it made her check me to make sure I had not caused any real progress...I was 32w. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-braxton-hicks-after-exertion-harmless-or-should-i-slow-down#post-2484091 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 08:33:21 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2484091@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: I had ano irritable uterus and a history of preterm labor, so my Dr said if I was having lots I needed to sit down to not add additional risk. But I think BH are totally normal under typical circumstances. You can always check in just to be sure :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-braxton-hicks-after-exertion-harmless-or-should-i-slow-down#post-2484060 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 08:10:41 +0000 catomd00 2484060@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's frustrating to not be able to do everything we normall would! I'd just try to break up the work more and that should help! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-braxton-hicks-after-exertion-harmless-or-should-i-slow-down#post-2484059 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 08:08:10 +0000 Truth Bombs 2484059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Anything more than 4 in an hour and you need to chill out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-braxton-hicks-after-exertion-harmless-or-should-i-slow-down#post-2484032 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 06:52:28 +0000 sslm 2484032@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had bad braxton hicks with my first from about 25 weeks on. They were worse when I did any kind of physical activity. Pretty sure they're harmless, but doesn't hurt to ask your doctor! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-braxton-hicks-after-exertion-harmless-or-should-i-slow-down#post-2484026 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 06:36:54 +0000 Cherrybee 2484026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks both. </p> <p>Its so annoying! I really want to get this done! I might take a nap instead. That will soften the blow! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-braxton-hicks-after-exertion-harmless-or-should-i-slow-down#post-2484023 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 06:31:53 +0000 catomd00 2484023@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You should call your doctor, but personally if they were super frequent (5+ an hour) then I would slow down and relax until they went away and then make sure you're doing less all at once and taking more frequent breaks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-braxton-hicks-after-exertion-harmless-or-should-i-slow-down#post-2484022 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 06:29:08 +0000 Alba4 2484022@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No idea, but I'd call your doctor just to confirm one way or another. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/are-braxton-hicks-after-exertion-harmless-or-should-i-slow-down#post-2484020 Fri, 04 Mar 2016 06:23:24 +0000 Cherrybee 2484020@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Gah! Braxton Hicks are significantly impairing my ability to nest!! </p> <p>I'm off work today and I'm stripping some wallpaper.... but I've had to stop because the Braxton Hicks got so bad. They've stopped now I'm sitting down with a big glass of water. </p> <p>I go on maternity leave the week after next (induction in 5.5 weeks) and I have a list as long as my arm of things I want to get done in the house (decorating, deep cleaning, gardening). I'm driven crazy by the urge to nest (and I love, love the feeling)..... do I have to slow down because of these contractions? Or are they totally harmless? </p>