23 weeks - Braxton Hicks pain like period cramps?

[Anonymous]

Hello there. So, I'm 23 weeks along and woke up to period-like cramps. It was that annoying, deep lower abdomen dull pain that I used to get on day 2 of my period. Ugh! I had forgotten about that ugly feeling! It went away after a while, but it was painful and the first time I felt something like that since I was pregnant.

I did some research on line and found that Braxton-Hicks contractions can feel like a lot of things, including period pain.

Has this occurred to any of you?

Also, is this any indication of what they will continue to feel like for the rest of the pregnancy or do they change?
Or are pregnancy contractions like this too? Any similarities?

Obviously, this is #1 for me!

[Anonymous]

This was normal for me around the same time in my pregnancy. It could also be your ligaments stretching in your lower abdomen/pelvis from the relaxin(sp?) hormone that's being released through your body to get you ready for labor. I was the crazy, neurotic pregnant girl so I called my Dr repeatedly about this until he allowed me an ultrasound. It didn't explain the pain but showed that everything was okay. He gave me the same reasons as listed above.

If you get stabbing pains or pains that make it hard to walk, sit or stand...I'd call my Dr.

For what it's worth, those pains were nothing like my contraction pains...I'm not really sure how to explain those other than "this isn't normal pain, painful." But everyone is different...I had friends who said their contractions we're that bad.

Congrats on being more than halfway through and good luck!!!

[Anonymous]

I had pains like that around the same time when I was pregnant with #1 and discovered that the tea I was drinking had hibiscus in it (which causes contractions)... oops!

[Anonymous]

I had similar pains around the same time and was told BH. I did not have them again until 36 weeks and only when taking long walks. Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids!

[Anonymous]

I would call your doc. I had preterm labor at 24 weeks that was real labor. The docs were able to stop it but I still delivered (after weeks of terbutaline and bedrest) at 34 weeks. Don't ignore serious symptoms like this.

[Anonymous]

OP here.

Thanks, folks. I only had the pain once a few days ago. It wasn't bad pain, just that annoying period cramp. Hasn't come back since, so I'll just wait until it happens again.

I'll have my Mayo Clinic Pregnancy book with me as I make my way to the VA bar exam tonight.

(It is totally ridiculous that they make you wear a suit to take the 2-day exam. Luckily, I found some used maternity suits.)

Anyway, I'm glad they did not return.

Immediate PP: thanks for the warning and I'm glad your team helped to delay delivery until 34 weeks. Question for you: What did your contractions feel like when you went into pre-term labor at 24 weeks? Like period cramps?

[Anonymous]

11:25 here
Those early contractions were very mild. They felt like BH. That was the scary thing. The only reason I called my IN was because the didn't hi away after I drank water and rested.

[Anonymous]

I'm currently 24 weeks, and every other day I experience the same period like cramps for around five minutes. I am treating them as BH and moving around and drinking water to get rid of them.

[Anonymous]

I am 23 weeks pregnant and feel the same period like cramps every other day for about 10 mins. I am scared but for now i am drink water and they usually go away. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow and will ask her. Hopefully it's nothing serious!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

Thanks, folks. I only had the pain once a few days ago. It wasn't bad pain, just that annoying period cramp. Hasn't come back since, so I'll just wait until it happens again.

I'll have my Mayo Clinic Pregnancy book with me as I make my way to the VA bar exam tonight.

(It is totally ridiculous that they make you wear a suit to take the 2-day exam. Luckily, I found some used maternity suits.)

Anyway, I'm glad they did not return.

Immediate PP: thanks for the warning and I'm glad your team helped to delay delivery until 34 weeks. Question for you: What did your contractions feel like when you went into pre-term labor at 24 weeks? Like period cramps?

I did not have pre-term labor but had painful BH that felt like cramps -- stress always brought mine on. I bet yours go away after the bar exam. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Weird that so many of us are having these symptoms. I started having them too over the weekend. I'm 22 weeks. Rest and water help.

[Anonymous]

I had terrible Braxton Hicks around that time during my first pregnancy. Can't re-emphasize enough the previous recommendations to drink plenty of fluids - dehydration is a really common cause of BH. It's also a good test to see if it's something you need to worry about: if you drink lots of water and the pain continues, that's a good time to check with your doctor.

[Anonymous]

Have this as well at 31 weeks...exactly as you describe, period-like cramping in the abdomen. I have a little lower back soreness and cramping as well, which I used to get with my period. PLan on asking my dr. this Thurs. at appt.

[Anonymous]

I am currently experiencing the same thing. I don't think I drank enough water today and a bath really helped. I am still deciding whether or not to go to the hospital on the morning. I am thinking I should. Pretty intense. Now for another glass of water. I am 23 weeks prego with twins.

[Anonymous]

If they are intense call your doctor; it shouldn't feel like a period. The period like cramps are a sign of PTL.