Ep 76: When Braxton Hicks Visits Too Early

When did you begin experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions? And… What did they feel like?

 

Sponsor

This episode is sponsored by Happy Homebirth Academy!  The premier childbirth education program for homebirth mothers seeking a peaceful, empowering, mindful homebirth.  www.myhappyhomebirth.com/hha is where you can find all of the details. 

 

Today’s guest, Meagan Brown had quite an intense go with BH contractions  So much so, that I hate to even call them that.  But we’ll learn exactly what she did to cope, and we’ll see how that served her in her two labors. 

 

Updates/Reminders:

 

There are new shirts in the store! With…matching onesies for your babe and shirts for your child!  Adult shirts read “homebirther” and onesies/kid shirts say homebirthed.  I can’t wait to get my matching shirts.  Just head to myhappyhomebirth.com/merch to check out all of the cuteness.

 

Take a screenshot when you’re listening to podcast episodes and upload them to your insta stories.  Tag @happyhomebirthpodcast and I’ll share in my stories!

 

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Please remember that the opinions of my guest might nit necessarily reflect my own and vice versa, and neither one of us are medical professionals, so continue to see your doctor, midwife, or if you’re like me, your chiropractor. 

 

Show Notes

Meaghan Brown is a wife and mother of two living in Ontario. She and her husband became pregnant with their son just weeks after getting married… not their plan, but they jumped into parenthood excitedly!  Unfortunately, Meaghan experienced painful Braxton Hicks contractions begging at 20 weeks.  So uncomfortable in fact that she was constantly worried she was heading into labor. 

 

In her 36th week, while out to dinner with her friends, Meaghan experienced contractions that she of course assumed were her constant Braxton Hicks contractions.  Only this time… her water broke.  She sprinted to the bathroom, where her waters fully released.  And then… the mucous plug followed.

 

Her friend drove her home, where she met her husband and doula and headed to the hospital (in transition)!  She arrived to the hospital, had a team of doctors descend upon her room (because baby was not term), and because Meaghan struggles slightly with Claustrophobia, her husband Jonathan announced to have everyone step back (which they did!).

Meaghan’s baby was safely born and did not need a NICU stay.

 

With her second pregnancy (this one was planned!), the contractions started even earlier… at 16 weeks.  Luckily, her daughter decided to stay put until term. 

 

Meaghan was able to have her desired homebirth this time around, with her midwife making it just in time. 

 

Once her baby arrived, Meaghan was excited for her contractions to finally stop.  Unfortunately, they did not.  For 8 days, she continued to experience the contractions of her uterus shrinking.  Terrified that something was wrong, she finally went to her doctor.  Upon examination, he found all to be well.  He proposed that Meaghan may be acutely aware of her uterus, which would explain why she was feeling contractions all along.

 

If you have a sensitive uterus, check out this podcast episode about Vaginal Steaming by Wine & Gyn! 

 

Episode Roundup

 

 

1. Pregnancy, like birth, is wild!  It can be experienced differently from person to person ad pregnancy to pregnacy.  And let’s be honest.  Sometimes it just does not feel good.  Meagans constant experience of brat nhicks contractions during her two regencies is a great example of things just kind of stinking sometimes.  This is why it’s so important to listen to your body… when it says rest, rest.  Meagan did this when needed, and it’s so important to remember, even if your experience isn’t as intense as hers
2. This is just me taking a moment to celebrate those loving, in-tune partners.  When at the hospital, Meagan’s husband jonathan realized she was struggling with having so many people descend upon her room.  He was not afraid to speak out and let everyone know that they needed to back up.  I’m sure Meagan will never forget that kind act.  Working on your relationship with your partner during pregnancy and connecting as much as possible is such a good reminder for all of us.