Why All the Lies?

maybe these aren't braxton-hicks contractions. Maybe you're in the process of dialating and effacing. This can commonly start a few weeks before baby comes. Congratulations.

I've never heard them referred to as painless. I do know, they try and create a differentiation of them and real labor pains so people will know and pregnant women wouldn't be showing up at the hospital to give birth when they are not having real contractions.

I never had Braxton Hicks, with either of my pregnancies. My sister had them and they were brutal for her. So, I suppose, they are painless for many women.

The only time I've ever cursed at anyone was when I was on the operating table being prepped for my emergency c-section, epidural did not take so I felt like they were rearranging my insides and on top of that having to listen to the nurses gossip and then tell me "it will be over in a couple minutes" every couple of minutes while I was laying there in pain. After the fifth time they told me that I umm... asked them to "shut the f-up and quit lying to me" while I proceeded to puke on the doctor next to my head. I was so embarrassed afterwards. There are a lot of "experiences" with pregnancies that are not all glow and happiness but the end is always well worth it =) Good luck!

Maybe you are in real labor instead of having braxton hicks? I had them with both pregnancies and while they were 'annoying' and made me feel more like I was going to poop or be sick, they never hurt that bad that I was doubled over in pain. But each person has a different pain tolerance and also pain affects them differently. So maybe it is real contractions!

LOL! Because many of those resources either ARE or are written by MEN!!!

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Makes me wonder if there is something else going on? I had BH and I was never doubled over in pain. I remember my belly get hard as a rock, and granted I wasn't able to do jumping jacks thru them, but I wasn't clenching my teeth or unable to talk thru them.

I will say tho, that I labored thru 3 births without pain meds. The only time during pregnancy/labor that I was in pain was right at the end of labor and by then it was time to push.

Maybe I just have a high pain tolerance?

Just curious - Do you have fast labors? I also had painful braxon hicks or whatever you want to call them for abour 2-3 weeks prior to the birth of each of my kids. One labor was 2.5 hrs the next only 1.5 hrs of actual labor with 30 min or so of pushing. So in retrospect, I don't mind the painful preterm labor if it helped me avoid a 10 hr labor!!!!

Oh my, I know, one night I thought I was starting real labor, but then they stopped. When my real labor pains did finally arrive I was telling people (was at a funeral showing for my uncle) yeah, I'm having contractions but its probably just more BH contractions. Little did I know that night they never went away and turned into real labor contractions.

Good luck to you!

My BH were more of a tightening. They did get strong sometimes, but yours sound like more. Call your OB.

I have 3 kids and mine were never that bad. Call your Dr and tell them what is happening.

I did not have painful BH pains either.. So I learned that women feel the pain differently or that their experiences were all different..

I also got through delivery without pain meds and was shocked that I had made it through..I can be a weenie about pain.. I never felt like I was being ripped apart, or out of control.. I did tear, but had not even realized it.. Yes, it took my breath away, but I just kept doing what they said to do and knew no one ever died from the pain of birth..

The nurse asked if I had always had strong cramps.. I told her yes, every month it was terrible.. she said them I was used to the pain.. I also have had migraines since I started my period, so that also, gave me a high tolerance for pain..

Hang in there.. Do your breathing through the Braxton Hicks.. You are almost there..

Yeah...I would also tend to lean more towards "real" contractions. I had BH with my first and they were uncomfortable, but certainly not painful. I had real contractions wtih my second, although I totally didn't know what they were b/c my first was c-section and I never even came close to labor, and those suckers hurt! I had moments of gasping and doubling over as well, I just didn't know what they were! You've had two kids so I'm guessing you've been through labor and would know what contractions feel like, but each one is different! I would think that with only 6 days left you are quite possibly in labor...maybe call your doctor?

Kind of like "as soon as you see that little face you forget all the pain"!

Aww, sweetie! I'm sorry you are so uncomfortable and the braxton hicks are so painful. I too had very painful BH with my first. I do think that it is a little unusual for them to be so painful though. I think people want to sugarcoat things so as not to scare us. Well meaning, yes, but actually preparing us, no! I know you've heard this a million times and probably told yourself this too, but...hang in there! You are almost there. Only a week to go and then it will be over and you will have your little bundle of joy. I bet you will forget how painful those BH were once you get to hold the lil one!

GL and hope the pains go away fast!

I'm gonna guess most Pregnancy websites are run by MEN! as well as most doctors are MEN! How do they know. Tell them to watch a video of some guy getting hit really really hard in the "junk" and tell them that the pain they felt was not real, this is a painless way to get kicked in the "junk". They are real and they can and do hurt. Your almost done. Keep your head up. ((hug))

I would ask my Doctor. Are sure its Braxton Hiicks???

Sorry. I only have one son, and I never had Braxton Hicks contractions. But my labor was 36 hrs long. After 16 hrs and only dilating to 3 cm, the epidural was started and it was Heaven to get a break from the pain!

maybe they aren't lies in as much as other peoples experiences. .I wouldn't personalize it too much. I really doubt people are going out of their way to lie to you about something you can simply read about on the net.
Also, as someone who had Braxton Hicks weeks prior to going into labor, it didn't hurt but was uncomfortable at times. Again, it's only other people's experiences, do you honestly believe someone is trying to lead you astray over something such as this?
best of luck

I was just gonna ask a question about Braxton Hicks. I had painless ones with my 1st baby, and now Im close to 7 months with #2. I started having BH contractions last week and they are painful. I actually thought I was going into labor a few days ago because they hurt bad!. I have an Ob appt today so hopefully my doctor can answer my question. Plus I think Im not far enough along to even have BH yet.