As someone who has already been through three pregnancies, I thought I was prepared for anything. With children aged 8, 7, and 3, I had faced swollen ankles, growing feet, back pain, heartburn, rashes, stretch marks, placenta previa, and even emergency and planned C-sections. So, when I found out I was expecting my fourth child, I assumed it would be a straightforward experience. Little did I know, surprises were in store for me.
At just 23 weeks into my pregnancy, I began to feel some unusual sensations. It all started while I was sitting at the kitchen table. A pressure in my lower belly felt normal at first; I thought it was just my baby girl stretching her legs. But soon, that pressure shifted lower, and I began to experience sharp, swift jolts in my pelvis. It wasn’t exactly painful, but it was definitely uncomfortable.
“What’s going on?” I wondered, hoping the odd sensations would subside as I moved around. But as I walked through the kitchen, the pangs intensified, arriving in waves every 30 seconds.
Then came a sudden, intense pressure that made me feel like something might be falling out of me. I rushed to the bathroom, half expecting to find arms or legs hanging out. I thought, “Oh no, I’m going to end up on a 60 Minutes special about my dramatic home birth in the toilet!”
After ensuring that nothing was actually falling out, I turned to the internet to figure out what was happening. Typing in my symptoms, I was met with wild results. I discovered something called “lightning crotch,” described by Parents.com as a sharp, shooting pain in the pelvis during the third trimester. However, I was only halfway through my pregnancy, so that didn’t seem likely.
As I continued my search, I stumbled upon articles discussing preterm labor, which made me second-guess everything. I started checking off symptoms: I felt pressure in certain areas, some discomfort in my side, and maybe a bit of discharge. Regretting my online search, I realized I had no clue what to expect, even after three pregnancies.
My husband and I decided to call the doctor—better safe than sorry. I described my strange symptoms to the nurse, apologizing profusely for sounding insane. The nurse consulted with my obstetrician, who advised me to come in for a checkup.
Driving to the hospital, I was more concerned about having to explain my symptoms to yet another person. When I finally arrived, I told the OB, “Well, it feels like I’m being punched in the upper hoo-ha, and something MIGHT be falling out of me.” Thankfully, my OB took my concerns seriously. She measured my belly and checked for dilation since I was only 23 weeks along, and dilation would be problematic.
To my relief, everything appeared normal. But what about those strange sensations? My OB explained that they could be contractions. “But they don’t hurt, and I’m only 23 weeks—Braxton Hicks doesn’t make sense!” I protested. She replied, “Preterm labor isn’t always painful.”
That was a revelation: after three pregnancies, I didn’t know the signs of preterm labor. I was sent to Labor & Delivery, where I was monitored. After 45 minutes, the staff concluded that I was experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions—normal for someone at this stage of pregnancy.
I asked a nurse why these false labor pains occur so early and why it felt like something was falling out of me. She simply said, “Every pregnancy is different, and weird body stuff just happens.”
As strange as it all was, it was far better than the alternative. My OB advised me to listen to my body and return to the hospital if contractions occurred every ten minutes. Plus, she provided me with a fact sheet on preterm labor, which was much more reliable than my internet search.
I’m grateful for the healthcare professionals who take the time to address every peculiar symptom and provide their patients with valuable information.
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Summary
My fourth pregnancy came with unexpected surprises, including a series of strange sensations that led me to question my experience and knowledge. After a visit to the hospital, I discovered these sensations were Braxton Hicks contractions, a reminder that every pregnancy is unique.
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