What Causes Braxton Hicks In Pregnancy At 28th Week?

Posted on Fri, 18 Jul 2014

Question: I'm 28 weeks along and have been having braxton hicks contrations for about a month. They get worse after anaargument with my husband (which is an alcoholic). Since I have been pregnant he seems to think I can do everything that I could before i was pregnant. Including moving / lifting heavy iteams (my 60 pound 7 year old , bed mattresses, cleaning out the litter box , constastantly bending over and dealing with our 25 pound 2 year old, aswwell as the normal every day house cleaning and getting on to the kids for doing things they shouldn't be doing. Plus arguing with him over the fact that I'm pregnant and can't do a lot of things as well as fighting with him over his drinking almost every night) I have had braxton hicks contrations so hard and painfull I could of swore I was about to go into labor. Most of these instants fallow our fighting. Or just a bad day with the kids. Are the braxton hicks getting like this due to the emotional stress?
I'm sorry to bother you with such a long story and such a small question. And my husband and I are normally not like this ( even for him being an alcoholic) . It only gets like this between us when I'm pregnant and become protective of not wanting to lose the baby. This makes my 10 th pregnancy and my 4 th child ( if he lives through this. ) all my miscarriages have happened between the 5th to 8th week. Now you have the full story.

Answered by Dr. Sridhar Reddy (4 hours later)

Brief Answer: braxton hicks contractions are not painful

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM!

I am Dr. Sridhar and I shall be answering your question.

Firstly, I am sorry to hear about your differences with your husband. Being pregnant, it is impossible for you to do the same quantity of work that you used to do before. Even if you are able to do, it is not safe for you as well as your baby.

Now since you have had miscarriages, you automatically come into HIGH RISK pregnancy and need the maximum possible care.

Now, I fear that what you have termed as braxton hicks contractions may not be one. braxton hicks contractions are not painful and do not increase in INTENSITY. You can feel them all through the pregnancy with no or very little pain.
So, I strongly advise you to visit your treating doctor (obstetrician). You must be examined and investigated.

Also, I'd advise you to try and get your husband talk to a psychologist or a friend of his who can make him understand what he is doing is wrong.

You need utmost care and bed rest to reduce the risk of abortion. It is also necessary to find out the reason why you had so many miscarriages. So, a trip to an obstetrician is a must.

Hope I've solved your query. Feel free to ask if you have any doubt.
If you are satisfied, you may close the discussion and rate my answer.

Wish you a healthy and successful pregnancy.
With regards,
Dr. Sridhar

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T