Let’s talk about pregnancy myths. I think we’ve all heard the usuals – that exercise is unsafe, that you can only sleep on your left side, or that preggos need to “eat for two”. Bla bla bla… By the third trimester you probably know about all of that by now. Here’s one myth that actually threw me for a loop:
Braxton Hicks contractions are generally mild and painless.
Oh yeah? Have you ever been electrocuted? Imagine a similar degree of tightening all around your middle, then add a nice fat layer of cramping down deep in your lady parts. Just for fun, throw in some back pain and a few random stabbing sensations in the ol’ baby maker. Oh yeah, TOTALLY painless.
At first, I thought I might be actually going into early labor. I suppose I could have called the birthing center to check in, but first I thought it would be wise to consult a few of the mamas in my life. According to one of my co-workers, the proud mama of five babies, Braxton Hicks can certainly be intense, and yes, even painful. She gave me the same advice as the midwives had previously, not to worry until they started forming some kind of pattern.
When I asked my bestie, Melissa, she laughed and said, “Well they don’t f***ing tickle!”
I tell you what, those midwives are a bunch of lying liars. Painless, my foot. I’ve been having Braxton Hicks contractions for several weeks now, and this week they really started to heat up. Previously, I might have gone so far as to classify them as painless, only highly uncomfortable. Now, they are getting intense… and frequent. I had three sessions of 2-3 contractions on Easter Sunday, then woke up Monday morning with 3 more. The rest of Monday yielded two more short sessions of multiple contractions and a handful of singles throughout the day and evening. They seem to be building in intensity, but are still not forming a real pattern.
I was wondering if there would come a point in this pregnancy when I would finally relate to the whole “get this baby out of me” sentiment. I’m still doing pretty well right now, but if these continue becoming more intense and frequent, I think I might finally get there. This hurts, y’all. I was prepared for a few days of labor pain, but a month’s worth (even of a comparatively mild variety) seems like a bit much.
We’ll find out on Monday whether the baby is in position with the help of an ultrasound. I am also planning on asking the ladies to take a quick look downstairs just to scope things out. This being my first baby and all, I have no way of knowing whether the contractions I’m having mean anything, or if they are just par for the course. I’m guessing that a quick peek at my cervix will give us a better idea of how far out Babeleo’s arrival really is.
P.S. A little update: I had ZERO contractions on Tuesday, even after yoga, a trip to the grocery store, and a short walk around our neighborhood (all things that usually trigger them). So it looks like Babeleo is taking a little break from torturing mama. Nice baby. Good baby.