https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 30 May 2026 16:24:45 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-your-stomach-during-a-contraction#post-143241 Tue, 01 May 2012 08:54:24 +0000 winniebee 143241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LAGS: It was weird - in the hourse before I got the call that I had to go to the hospital (because of a positive fetal fibronectin test) I knew that the "BH" contractions were different as I started getting the cramping sensation along with the BH contractions. However, I was still shocked to find out that they were productive contractions. Now, though, I think I can tell the difference since I do experience both types of contractions regularly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-your-stomach-during-a-contraction#post-143130 Tue, 01 May 2012 07:49:33 +0000 LAGS 143130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: &amp; @Goldilocks1107: I agree. I'm thinking I don't have anything productive happening but this description gives me hope!</p> <p>@chopsuey119: Hah, fair enough!</p> <p>@winniebee: Were you surprised when you found out that the contractions were real or was it fairly obvious to you beforehand? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-your-stomach-during-a-contraction#post-143109 Tue, 01 May 2012 07:36:33 +0000 winniebee 143109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I had *real* contractions when I was in preterm labor they felt like a BH contraction (ie, uterus hardening) WITH lower uterus cramps (like low, pinching, period like cramps) and sometimes accompanied by low back pain. They were mildly painful - maybe a 2/10. I did dilate to 1.5 cm and 50% effaced so these were definitely productive contractions. Of course no idea what the real deal will be like! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-your-stomach-during-a-contraction#post-143103 Tue, 01 May 2012 07:33:11 +0000 Goldilocks1107 143103@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: I like your description - because it makes me think my lower pelvic cramping (right below the bump) are actually contractions. Instead of just irritating muscle stretching pain. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-your-stomach-during-a-contraction#post-143099 Tue, 01 May 2012 07:30:23 +0000 chopsuey 143099@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bh made my tummy tight. Don't remember how my tummy was during real contractions. Was in too much pain to notice </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-your-stomach-during-a-contraction#post-142948 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:20:46 +0000 yoursilverlining 142948@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've had a lot of BH, and also have started having pre-term contractions a couple times a day (so, real ones, I guess?).</p> <p>During BH, my stomach gets super tight and very hard - like rock hard! It doesn't feel like a period cramp and my back doesn't hurt - OB says BH shouldn't hurt. They might be uncomfortable and annoying, but should not be painful.</p> <p>The pre-term labor things do hurt. They feel like a period cramp and my back hurts. Also, they are low (i.e., not my stomach tightening). They are low down, below the bump.</p> <p>Hope this helps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-your-stomach-during-a-contraction#post-142945 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:18:23 +0000 mrs. wagon 142945@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lots of posts like this tonight!</p> <p>I had BH for weeks before delivery, pretty consistently, every night. My belly got rock hard! I knew it was labor when I could not walk or talk through them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-your-stomach-during-a-contraction#post-142939 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:13:59 +0000 Rubies 142939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I only had BH once and it didn't feel anything like my contractions. The one time I had BH, my stomach tightened...Like a clenching feeling. My contractions felt like period cramps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-your-stomach-during-a-contraction#post-142919 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:50:08 +0000 LAGS 142919@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm having a really hard time deciding if I'm having any BH or true contractions. I've felt tightening and thought back in the 2nd tri I had a number of BHs, and now I've had a few days where I've felt lower-mid back pain with cramping into my stomach, but I'm second guessing myself because I don't know if my stomach is uniformly hard or hard enough.</p> <p>How hard does your stomach feel to the touch when contracting? Is it generally as firm as it feels when baby is pushed out against your tummy? And how far to the sides of your stomach can you actually feel your uterus? </p>