Braxton Hicks – not so fun actually

I think I’ve been experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions over the last two or three weeks.

The first few times I felt them it was like I’d just be sitting there and all of a sudden I’d think “I think I’m having cramps, but wait, that’s not possible, I’m pregnant and they’re in the wrong spot.”  Of course, by the time I had time to analyze what I was feeling, the sensation would end, and I’d move on.  They felt like my uterus was tightening, and kind of felt like cramps, but instead of feeling them deep in my pelvis where my uterus used to live, I was feeling them in the front lower part of my stomach, where all the good bits are now camped out.  I think I’ve had about 2 or 3 of them over the last few weeks but the idea that they were actually Braxton Hicks only briefly crossed my mind.  I told myself that it must just be baby rolling around in an unusual way.

That all changed last night.  But let me start from the beginning.

I’ve been having a tough time drinking as much water as I should be since the start of this pregnancy, but since everything is going ok with baby so I didn’t think too much of it.  My craving for fruits and veggies and soup has been keeping me well hydrated (apparently).  But in the last week or two even that has tapered off.  Then I got constipated a few days ago.  So I started drinking more tea.  Then I noticed I was thirsty all the time so I figured the constipation and thirst were my body’s way of telling me to (duh) drink more water, so I did.  Then last night, as I was taking my pre-going-to-bed-to-sleep nap, (half in and out of sleep, listening to Obama’s speech to Congress), I had what can only be described as a major wallop to the stomach, that woke me right the hell up.  My baby area felt like it was tightening harder than I’d felt it previously, and I panicked, because even thought I had sat bolt upright in bed, I didn’t quite know what was going on.  All I knew was that my belly didn’t feel right, and that I had to stand up, walk around and pee right away.

So I did, and on the way to and from the bathroom, the sensation eased up.  And then I realized it for what it was.  Braxton Hicks.  So I had a meeting with Dr. Wikipedia and the APA  this morning and discovered this:

Worsening factors

1. Dehydration can make muscles spasm, bringing on a contraction, and is thought to be a factor in extended Braxton Hicks contractions. Adequate hydration can alleviate Braxton Hicks contractions. (clearly, I’ve been dehydrated for quite some time and didn’t really realize it)
2. Rhythmic breathing may alleviate the discomfort of Braxton Hicks contractions. (meh)
3. Lying down on the left side can help ease the pain of contractions. (I was laying on my right side at the time the BH hit)
4. A slight change in movement sometimes makes the contractions disappear. (walking did help…a lot)
5. A full bladder can sometimes trigger Braxton Hicks, so urination may end the contractions. (I definetly had a full bladder at the time)

So there I have it.  I need more fluids.  BH’s are freaky and I don’t want to have any more of them if I can help it.

A bottle of water, 2 pieces of fruit and a cup of soup later and I’ve got to piss like a race horse.  good times.

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edited to add:

Did I mention that hubby, the oh-so-on-top-of-everything guy that he is, totally slept through my abrupt awakening / moaning / mad-dash/waddle episode last night? Yup.  Does not bode well if I go into labour in the middle of the night.  I should practice waking him up in the middle of the night for no reason other than to see if I can actually get him to wake up and not fall unconscious 3 seconds after telling me that he’s up.*shesh*  Now, in his defense he did wake up as I was getting back into bed.  He asked me if I was ok, as he always does.  And I told him I was ok because at the time I still hadn’t wrapped my brain around what had actually happened.  I think I told him the baby kicked in a weird spot and it woke me up. In any case, I don’t think he was truly awake because he was snoring again only moments after his head hit the pillow again.  Typical.