Week 33 – Braxton Hicks?
August 9, 2006
Sites like PregnancyWeekly say that Braxton Hicks contractions generally start around 20 weeks. Braxton Hicks contractions are also known as false labor – contractions that many new mothers think means the start of their actual labor. The difference with Braxton Hicks contractions is that they are not usually as regular as actual contractions, and they can often be solved by changing something – either walking if you’re sitting, or changing positions, etc.
A lot of the literature also talks about Braxton Hicks being “practice” – that the uterus contracts itself in preparation for upcoming actual labor. So, I haven’t had any Braxton Hicks contractions and now I’m starting to get worried – is my labor going to be more difficult if my uterus hasn’t been practicing since week 20 like some women? What are the negative effects of not having Braxton Hicks contractions? I heard of many women who actually want contractions, but I do! I’m worried that if I don’t get them my body won’t be as prepared and I will in turn have a harder time. Plus, they say that Braxton Hicks is a great time to practice your breathing and relaxation techniques that you learned in childbirth class, so I haven’t had the opportunity to do that either. I’ve got a doctor’s appointment tomorrow, so hopefully he can shed some light on this rather confusing subject, and I’m hoping he’ll reassure me that it’s perfectly fine not to have Braxton Hicks.
I think in some 