Hello, all. I’m currently 22 weeks, and have noticed three times this week that I’ve had cramping similar to period cramps for the first time since early in my first trimester. It’s always just been one cramp that lasts for a few minutes and then goes. I wouldn’t worry about it but I’m high risk for preterm delivery due to cervical issues, so pretty much anything unusual makes me twitchy. Could this be Braxton Hicks? Everything I’ve read says they show up as painless tightening of the belly, but this is def uncomfortable and pretty isolated low in my pelvis even though I’m regularly getting kicked at and above my belly button. For my sanity I’d really like to not go in to see my doctor if it’s nothing—I just got discharged from once a week high risk appointments in mid July and it’s so nice not to hear about all the things that could go wrong constantly.
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@karenbme: Mine were fairly uncomfortable. My abdominal muscles would cinch and my stomach would become hard/taught and then I would get a cramp from my abdomen to my crotch (lightening crotch times 10). I began close to 30 weeks with DD and around 25/26 weeks with DS. My OBGYN at the time stated that it was normal to feel such cramping so early with DS, especially since I had a csection with DD. Something to keep in mind - While cramping in both early and late pregnancy is common and is likely nothing, if anything gives you "pause" or is terribly uncomfortable, call your OBGYN as it is better to be safe than sorry. That stated, I am quite sure you and baby are fine and there is nothing serious to worry about as, atleast in my experience, your Braxton Hicks sound about right [even if fairly early].
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I think it is totally a lie that BH don’t hurt! I always got them early and often. So it sounds normal but I never had cervical concerns.
Eta can you connect their occurrence to anything? Like often BH are random but they tend to be worse when you are standing a lot, dehydrated, have a full bladder, etc.
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@Kaohinani: Thanks for sharing your experience. These aren’t that bad—they’re really similar to a period cramp—but I know things like this are different for everyone. I’m less worried about it opening my cervix because of that balloon video that went around the internet a while ago, so unless I start getting them more frequently I’m probably going to wait until my next appointment in two weeks to talk to the doctor.
@bhbee: Thanks, good to know that BH can be painful. Also the first time I had def overdone it. We were painting the nursery and it was like 93, and it went away when I sat down and drank some water, which is what first made me think BH.
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Some people get BH really early and pretty intensely! My friend did and had sort of an irritable uterus until she delivered at 37w, all was fine! It's surprising how much water you need esp now that you're 22w and you're blood volume is increasing so much now... and how much a little a extra activity can trigger BH. Plus with the summer heat! Good luck but don't ever feel shy about calling your Dr. That's an important lesson I learned!
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@karenbme: I’ve had similar symptoms -menstrual cramps, lower pelvis in the second and now third. I’d just watch for the no bleeding or other concerning factors.The BH I encounter are tightening of my belly but not too painful.
I know you don’t want to bother with the doctor but it’s always best to run things by them in my opinion.
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@pachamama: @cake2017: Thanks for the tips. It’s less that I’m shy or don’t want to bother my doc and more that the constant appointments have been incredibly draining and if they’re just going to say “this seems normal, but preterm labor can show up in different ways for different people so you need to be hyper vigilant,” again, I’d just rather not because I’m already hyper vigilant otherwise I wouldn’t be worrying about maybe 10 minutes of total cramping. I want to be able to live my life and bond with this baby without constantly being reminded that even if things are fine now she still could die at any point. Which sounds dramatic when I type it, but is the most likely outcome of preterm labor at this point in pregnancy.
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@karenbme: I understand! Just stay positive and enjoy the pregnancy the best you can! It can be tough at times! However, try not too worry too much and if it means another call, email or visit to the doctor try your best to know that you are doing it for you and baby and it’s okay! Thats what they are there for!!!! Good luck!!!
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@karenbme: I'm so sorry you're going through this. Pregnancy for me was extraordinarily stressful as well. We're here for you.
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@cake2017: @pachamama: Thanks. I’m trying really hard to stay positive, but I’ve lost three babies before this and it feels like things just keep going wrong. And no one can fix or change it but the appointments and stress are exhausting.
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I have actually had UTIs similar to what you are describing while pregnant. Maybe go to your PCP or urgent care and get tested for that just in case?
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@karenbme: hey there. just checking in to see how you're doing. have you had any further pains like this?
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@nwm: Thanks for checking in. I haven’t had any other pains, so I’m writing it off as overdoing it in the heat. How are you doing?
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@karenbme: so glad to hear it! that certainly make sense. i am feeling pretty good & energetic. though, getting bigger by the day and have reached the point where it's not that comfortable to stay standing for too long, so when no one offers me a seat on the subway i start glaring at people
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Glad to hear you’re feeling well, even if you don’t always get a seat on the subway. I’m jealous of your energy! I feel like I’m barely making it through my work days these past couple weeks.
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@karenbme: that is definitely how i felt when carrying my daughter ! very grateful to have a little more spring in my step this time (though i'm sure it won't last too many weeks longer).
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