Should you be concerned about the frequency of braxton hicks?

I know my doctor told me to call him if I have more than 5 contractions in an hour and I've only been having a few a day, so I'm good. However, my sister in law is 33 weeks pregnant and is having a lot of braxton hicks contractions. Does anyone know if there is a "magic number" of braxton hicks that one can have in an hour without being concerned about PTL?

 

QUOTE(marisa55 @ Aug 16 2008, 04:09 PM) [snapback]933465[/snapback]
I know my doctor told me to call him if I have more than 5 contractions in an hour and I've only been having a few a day, so I'm good. However, my sister in law is 33 weeks pregnant and is having a lot of braxton hicks contractions. Does anyone know if there is a "magic number" of braxton hicks that one can have in an hour without being concerned about PTL?


In the beginning of when I started having them, I was told anymore than 4 per hour was too many and to call or go in. Then it went up to 6 for me and finally 8. But I made multiple trips to L & D because I had 4 or more per hour.
She should definitely keep an eye on that.

 

My docs told me to call or come in if I had 6 or more of any type of contraction.

 

At first I was told five per hour. BUT, when I continued to have a lot, despite meds (my cervix was beginning to shorten), the doc upped the number to 10 per hour. I think if she is having 4-5 per hour, she should call. That way, they can check her out and make sure that the BH contractions are benign and not causing any changes to the cervix.

 

I was also told 6. I think they expect some and consider it "normal", especially toward the end of pregnancy but I think that they make the determination also based on whether or not there are any cervical changes. With my last pregnancy I did go into a labor pattern but was not progressing and I still got the fluids, terb, and Nifedipine to take at home. Are they coming on regularly and not stopping with H20 or position changes?

 

QUOTE(marisa55 @ Aug 16 2008, 04:09 PM) [snapback]933465[/snapback]
I know my doctor told me to call him if I have more than 5 contractions in an hour and I've only been having a few a day, so I'm good. However, my sister in law is 33 weeks pregnant and is having a lot of braxton hicks contractions. Does anyone know if there is a "magic number" of braxton hicks that one can have in an hour without being concerned about PTL?


I was told if they are under 35 seconds not to worry, just considered 'irritable'.

This is what I was told when you should call in for:

For singleton- 4 or more 35 seconds or more per hour.

For twins- 6 or more 35 seconds or more per hour.

I would urge your sister in law just to call and ask- they will give her what should be correct for yer.

 

I've been having 3-4 per hour for most of the day every day. I told my doctor and he said that was too many...he checked my cervix (he couldn't even get to it...it's that far up and shut) and did some other test involving a speculum and pointy object (the results will be back in 2 weeks) and pronounced that I'm probably tired and dehydrated. Anyway, it's best to check.