[ndsai05]

I'm freaking myself out a little and I hate to bother the on-call doctor for something silly... so need your advice ladies! The past week or so I've been randomly getting feelings of pressure in my uterus... I've been saying my uterus feels heavy but it basically just feels like light pressure, on the front right below my belly button. Is this braxton-hicks? Is this too early for braxton-hicks? I'm 19 weeks tomorrow. Should I be worried about pre-term labor? And, finally, does this warrant an after-hours call to the doctor? I'm gonna go put my feet up and drink some water since that's probably what they will tell me to do anyway but I need some help here! My mom said it sounds like contractions to her and that totally freaked me out!

[MommaLee]

If it is just pressure...no bleeding, not painful then I would just continue normal as you are unless there have been complications. I've never experienced bh, so I have no advice there.

[KDD]

I've felt pressure off and on for a long time now. It's not unusual to start getting B/H by week 14 as well. If you experience bleeding or pain I would call.

[Lyz]

for first babies, you shouldn't feel BHs until end of second trimester, from what my doc said. Remember, that's what on-call doctors are for and this is your first pregnancy....dont' ever think something is too silly or that you're bothering the on-call doc. Always be safe than sorry, especially if you are worried about it (and your mom freaked you out).

[ndsai05]

Thank you so much ladies! After drinking some water and laying down for a bit the pressure is gone. I was on my feet a lot today and I noticed that I am more aware of the pressure when I have either a full bladder, or am wearing pants that are tighter on my lower belly. If they are B/H I can't even tell when they start or stop so I can't even time them... so unless the pressure comes back later tonight, I'll just call the office tomorrow morning and talk to the nurse. My mom says if nothing else its a sign I shouldn't be on my feet as much as I was today.

[jensma]

my BHs started at 14weeks!

glad ur feeling better!

[hearts.0nfire]

I'm glad your feeling better. I had braxton hicks in the middle of my second trimester and it kind of sounds like that. I'd get them a lot if I was thirsty or I had to go to the bathroom. Definitely let us know what the nurse says tomorrow.

[JessMitch]

I felt something similar to this as well, like a really heavy feeling in your abdomen... I still get it and i honestly think i feel it when the baby is laying down there! It comes and goes and when it's there, you can feel that your lower belly is harder than usual, which makes me believe the baby is just hanging out down there taking a nap! Good luck and KUP

[*Mommy2Camden*]

IMO, if you're questioning any sort of unusual feeling in your uterus you should call your Dr. That way they can ease your mind, and you won't worry. Yeah 19 weeks is early for BH, BUT not impossible. Also, keep in mind that your uterus increases to 20 times its original weight, and 1000 times its original capacity! That's A LOT of stretching!

[ndsai05]

Thanks you guys! Jess, that is EXACTLY what it feels like... a heavy sort of pressure. I called and talked to the nurse this morning, unfortunately it was not my normal nurse but the one who sometimes makes me think she doesn't totally understand what I'm saying... but anyway she did make me feel better. She said its normal at this stage for the uterus and baby to feel heavy because of all the growing going on in there, and that the baby still has space to move around so when I feel that, the baby is probably laying low (exactly what Jess said). She said if I were actually contracting and going into labor I would either be bleeding or it would be painful. I asked about BH and she said at this point they wouldn't call it BH they would call it a miscarriage if I were contracting... ??? I kind of brushed off that comment, I know its not normal to have BH but it is POSSIBLE. But anyway, I am reassured! Thanks everyone for responding and making me feel better.

[JessMitch]

I'm glad that everything is okay!! So from now on, just enjoy the feeling and knowing exactly where that baby is hanging out!!!

[MarinaAndCharlie'sMommy]

Glad you're feeling better! Now relax and get some rest