Isn't 20 weeks too early for Braxton Hicks?

Question

I'm preggers with my second little one, and I keep getting this feeling in my belly that I would swear is Braxton Hicks contractions. My stomach feels hard, and uncomfortable, but not painful. Cause for concern?

Answer 1

When I was having horrid cramps and pains at about 14 weeks my obstetrician told me they were BH.  According to her, women have BH contractions right from the start of implantation, but usually they are not felt until later pregnancy.  Some women just feel them sooner.   At first I didn't know if I believed her, but did some googling and found a couple of other doctors who said the same thing.  Can't remember the sites to provide you links though, sorry!

Answer 2

most braxton hicks start at about 20 weeks i had mine even before that. Good Luck

Answer 3

braxton hicks start in the first trimester, its just not until later that most women feel or notice them. 2nd time moms will feel them sooner for two reasons 1. your uterus has already had a baby and will "know" how to prepare for labor better and earlier. 2. you're more used to the sensations of pregnancy and more able to recognize them when they happen. my last pregnancy i really don't remember feeling even one until right before i had my son. this time i started feeling them around 15 weeks and they were VERY noticeable. make sure you are drinking enough water, because that can often make them worse. also, over-exerting yourself can make them worse. when they make you uncomfortable you should drink a couple glasses of water and lay on your left side for a period of time, until you feel better.

things to watch for:

braxton hicks increasing in intensity, frequency or regularity

they can be pretty uncomfortable, especially if you haven't had enough fluids, but they shouldn't be actually painful. i think a general rule is once you start feeling more than a couple within 10 minutes or so, rest and rehydrate and time them. as long as they are sporadic, no worries.

Answer 4

No, 20 weeks is not too early at all.  I felt my first ones at only 8 weeks with my second and later pregnancies.  I felt them at less than 20 weeks with my first pregnancy, I think it was 14 weeks.

Answer 5

This is my second pregnancy and I also noticed them earlier, like at 18 weeks.  I think it's partly that our bodies know what's coming and we also know what it feels like. I especially get them after exercise.

I asked my OB at the time and she said it was normal.