Dr Vent and Question about Braxton Hicks

Well, yesterday was a very frustrating day. I am 36 wks preggo and hadnt slept all night due to stomach pain. I went to the doctor's office (It's a big practice) and was having small contractions. But cervix was closed. Was told to go home rest and drink water. Fine. Went home pain subsided but then got worse later that night. Went back to the office, dr did exam, cervix still closed but was then sent to the hospital for observation. At the hospital saw a different dr from the practice and I was having contractions every 2-4 minutes. They gave me IV fluids and the contractions stopped. I was able to go home.
Then this morning I started having pain again. Went back to the office and saw a different dr. She did an exam and the cervix was still closed. She said I was not in labor and that it was braxton hicks. Was told this was probably going to happen for the rest of the pregnancy. I asked what I could do about the pain and she said there is nothing. So basically she was telling me to suck it up and deal with it. She wasnt even sympathetic at all. It really upsets me cause it is really really uncomfortable. I mean its no big deal for her cause she is not the one in pain! This is my first pregnancy and I don't have a clue. I would just like a little more compassion and not feel like I'm being brushed aside. Ya know?
So my question is, can braxton hicks be painful? Has this happened to anyone else? If the braxton hicks were 2-4 min apart how I am supposed to tell when it's the real thing? Expecially since they tell you to go to the hospital when they are 5 min apart. The dr just said when it gets intense. Ummm, yeah, ok that helps. Thank you for reading! Sorry for the long vent!

Re: Dr Vent and Question about Braxton Hicks

sorry this is happening to you the best thing you can do is relax keep feet elevated and drink loads of water to keep hydrated to more water the better and also lay on left side.

Re: Dr Vent and Question about Braxton Hicks

that's really unfortunate that you have to go through this. sometimes doctors just don't realize or remember that patients go see them for a reason. hope that your pains will go away for you sooner rather than later! which dr's office is this?

Re: Dr Vent and Question about Braxton Hicks

I've been having hard and long Braxton Hicks contractions for WEEKS. Sometimes it's just hard... sometimes it's hard and painful/uncomfortable. They can last for hours.

I think it just comes with the territory. Supposedly, drinking water or changing position helps, but I never found that. They only thing that helps me is propping a pillow under my belly when it's really hard so that it's not just hanging, which is VERY uncomfortable.

Also, from what I understand, BH contractions make your whole belly hard. REAL contractions are like bad period cramps, incorporating your lower back. I had false labor about 2 weeks ago, which is my only experience with "real" contractions.

Feel better and good luck!

ETA: I'm now 37w5d

Message edited 8/3/2011 9:06:18 PM.

Re: Dr Vent and Question about Braxton Hicks

Thank you ladies for your responses. I go to South Bay OBGYN. It makes me feel better to know that I'm not the only one going through this.

Re: Dr Vent and Question about Braxton Hicks

It happened to me for my first pregnancy but not very painful, just pinching. I ended up being induced and before then they told me to come in when they are unbearable or when my water breaks!

Re: Dr Vent and Question about Braxton Hicks

I had painful Braxton Hicks for weeks with my last pregnancy. The only thing that helped was to drink lots of water and lay down often. Sorry, I know how painful they can get