Braxton Hicks At 20 Weeks
4 Replies
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Hi All!
I am 36 years old and carrying identical twins (s_x unknown so far) at 21 weeks. I had normally delivered a single baby girl without any complications, who is now 6 years old.
What I am worrying is that although everything is normal with my pregenancy (I have normal BP and no va___al dicharge etc. etc.), I experience painless hardenning of the uterus (about four to five times a day) sometimes accompanied by pelvic pressure, which began around 20 weeks or so.
Are this normal Braxton-Hicks contractions (I see in this forum that they are quite common in twins and starts as early as 20 weeks) or signs of preterm labour. Should I be completely bed-resting.
Kalpana
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I havent been pregnant with twins, but I had the same problem with my first two pregnancies. I was diagnosed with an irritable uterus. As the pregnancy progressed I used to get runs of them, contracting sometimes every 3-5 mins for 30 mins - 1 hour. I was given regular CTGs that showed I was contracting, but nothing else too exciting was happening! My first was early (pre-eclampsia) but my 2nd was ok. I know braxton hicks are more common in twin pregnancies, but so is pre-term labour, and there was one lady who was unaware she was dilating. Not trying to scare you, but I would definitely call the doctor and just get him to check that your cervix is still long and closed. Good luck, I'm sure it will be fine!
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I am 25 weeks with twins and yes, having braxton hicks so soon is normal. I was concerned too and asked my doctor and she said as long as they don't become regular or get more intense, not to worry. If your concerned you can test yourself at home by laying on your left side when you get them and see if they go away. They should go away with rest. Also drink..lots of water. I mean lots though out your day. I find it helps alot. When I miss my usual drinks in a day I can feel the difference. Also, they should go away if you change your position or stop what your doing. But, no harm in asking your doctor anyway for piece of mind.
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Hi Angie! Thanks for the info. Yes, the tightening do go away when I lie down. I am saying tightening as I feel my abdomen getting tight and it stays like that for quite a time, say for about half an hour! So, they may not be simple Braxton-Hicks (the way I understand them). But it immediately become loose as soon as I lie down. I beginning to drink a lot of water lately. Thanks for the suggestion. I shall keep informing after I have a session with my Doctor (next week I have my Doppler u/s due).
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Kalpana - Sounds like Braxton Hicks to me. Unless you are experiencing any contractions that amount to more than 4 or 5 an hour, you are doing well. I started getting Braxton Hicks around 20 weeks with my twins as well as lots of pelvic pressure, which I was told was normal for twins. To be sure, you can call your OB, but it sounds normal to me. There was only one time when I was about 24/25 weeks that I got some actual pains on one side and I was told to drink lots of water and rest on my left side. It went away within 1/2 an hour. So, drink lots of fluids. Congrats on your twins! Are you planning on finding out the s_xes? We had boy/girl twins that are now 4 mo. old.
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