Last night we had contractions for about an hour...they lasted about 2-3 minutes and were averaging about 8-9 minutes apart. After about an hour they pretty much vanished with only an occasional one here or there. And today I may have had one or two but nothing to keep track of...we are WAY to early to be having this baby IMHO and I guess I was surprised we were already starting that phase.

I was just courious if anyone else was having contractions and how far along you were when they started?

With my ds I didn't get them, but with my dd they started at about 32 weeks. She was born one day before her due date, so it doesn't necessarily mean an early baby.

started around 30 weeks with my second, delivered at 38 weeks...none with my first who delivered at 36 weeks.

I can't remember exactly when they started but I do remember it was earlier, and stronger with each pregnancy. They were never painful, nor consistent, just uncomfortable.. my stomach would get really tight and hard. I had #1 2 days before her duedate, #2 5 days after his due date and #3 was like 3 weeks late, lol. So yeah.. I don't see any relation with early braxton hicks to early birth.

Believe it or not your uterus is contracting all the time from day one. That is how it grows. But at 29 weeks it is something to watch if they are regular. Any time you feel a consistent and regular type of contraction braxton hicks or otherwise you should drink plenty of water and lie on your left side for awhile. Be sure to get up and go to the bathroom after the water goes through you, as a full bladder makes a uterus irritable. If it is just braxton hicks lying on your left side and being sure you are hydrated should make them diminish. If it is true premature labor they will increase with hydration and lying on your left side. If you continue to feel more than 6-8 contractions in a hour for more than an hour you should call your doctor even if they seem not painful enough. Sometimes you might have a bladder infection that is making your uterus irritable, but cervix dilitation can occur. It is better safe than sorry. Normal, irregular braxton hicks don't cause dilitation and is perfectly normal.

I experienced tons of braxton hicks with my second son born in August. I was working full time as an L& D nurse. I often didn't get enough rest or hydration. I was 5 cm dilated by 39 weeks! I had many occasions of lying on my left side drinking water. It always caused them to go away! :-D

I've had braxton hicks for quite some time now. They aren't even consistent enought for me to consdier timing or anything. Some days I get more than others. I think it depends on my activity level. I wouldn't worry about early labor though as Braxton Hicks are very common and normal and don't cause dilation/labor.

Good luck!

Jessy

With our DD (first baby) I started feeling the BH very regularly, like all day, everyday regularly, around 32 weeks, they even dilated and effaced me, but she was born a week after her due date. With DS (2nd baby) I started feeling them around 22 weeks or so. Had them all the way up until he was born at 39weeks 5days. I was induced, and am sure he was wanting to stay put a while longer.

Blessings,
Amber

Thanks for all the info...I wasn't really too worried, just didn't know if others were in the same boat!

Leslie - thanks for the info on water and bladder...I had no idea the bladder would irritate the uterus!

Jessy - I guess I didn't realize we were so close in due dates...how are you doing?

:-D I'm actually doing very well. I haven't gotten the fatigue everyone told me I would get in the third trimester and I'm feeling great, so far :) How bout you? I didn't realize anyone else was that close to my due date, thats awesome [verycool]

I have felt twinges 'early on' in subsequent pregnancies...but I can't recall a 'date'.
But yeah, as Leslie said, it's going on all the time, from the beginning. We just don't always feel it. Cool eh?
And again, ditto Miss Leslie...keep well hydrated and lie on your side if they seem to be too frequent right now.

Just use them to your advantage. Practice relaxing and opening up when you feel them. Keep doing your Kegal exercises. Your body is really preparing now, work with it :)