Braxton-Hicks contractions you can't feel

[Anonymous]

I am around 24 weeks and every now and then I notice that my stomach has gotten really hard but I don't feel anything. Not linked to exercise, as an earlier thread discussed.

Because I can't feel them, I wouldn't be able to follow the advice about contacting your doctor if you have more than four an hour unless I stayed home all day poking my belly every now and then. Similar experiences or advice?

[Anonymous]

Totally normal. You don't usually feel Braxton Hicks.

Probably no harm unless you think they're continuing for an hour or so and you get worried. Relax and make sure you're hydrated. As the weeks go on, you may notice them linked to exercise, in which case you should take it easier.

Otherwise, just go about your business

[Anonymous]

I would call your doctor just to be sure. Sounds like contractions to me, and that could possibly be a problem even if they don't hurt. Chances are everything is ok, but I would talk to the dr just to eliminate the possibility of pre-term labor.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Well, it's never bad to call your doctor but those do sound like BH contractions which means that if all you can tell your doctor is that you have them sometimes, I don't think you're doctor will do anything about it.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't be worried unless they are accompanied by cramping and/or back pain. I had months of the tightening, beginning @ 6 months, and then went into pre-term labor at 33 weeks. It was very hard-- hospital stay, bed rest, medicine, etc... I just had a healthy baby at 35 weeks, but we were lucky. Pay attention to your body and take it easy if the tightening gets more frequent. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Agreed--can't hurt to bring this up with your OB. I had the same experience with my last pregnancy and they were entirely without consequence--the baby was born at 40 weeks. I'm 35-wks pregnant now and have been experiencing them since about 6mo also, but am not concerned. For me, I usually notice the "contraction" when I get up and walk around after having been seated for a while.