do Braxton Hicks...........

[redcrx]

make your head feel like its gonna pop??

I keep getting this feeling whereby my head and ears and sinusses hurt, its like theres pressure in there. At the same time my bump goes rock hard.

It lasts anything up to a 3 minutes and makes me feel hot too.

I didnt get BH last time, just contractions so not sure if this is right or not.

[Louisa 69]

Hi red, i never experienced what you are feeling, i got BH but it never affected my head. I would give your maternity unit a call and speak to them just to be on the safe side.

[daffy654]

That sounds like blood pressure probs to me. I got similar feelings when pregnant with my first child.

[redcrx]

i wonder if its baby pushing onto an artery or something? Its rather weird but soon goes off.

got consultant appt for size next week (as Im huge) so will check then if im still getting it

Baby is happy as larry and still kicking away all the time and my BP has been fine at appts.

[redcrx]

i had average BP of 150/110 last time so this time ive been amazed to find its always around 110/70.

[Psychick]

I agree with Louisa. I never had BH first round but have been getting them this time and they have no affect on my head at all. It may just be a build up of pressure or something but give the hospital or your midwife a quick call just to check.

[Psychick]

Same as mine red, the only time it was different was when it was 120/74 at 27 weeks and the only time I was suffering with swollen feet the same time as seeing my midwife.

Just out of interest, what is low and what is high? Never had BP explained to me. I just remember being told mine was low when I was in hospital at around 17 weeks with an infection.

[Goodsoulette]

Sounds odd Red. You know all the bad symptoms though, so any lightning flashes in your eyes, increased oedema etc phone your midwife straight away. Movements are all a good sign, so don't worry just be cautious.

Of course you could just have sinusitis or something and thats causing the braxton hicks.

[redcrx]

its used to be that the first figure was 100+your age and second figure about 70-80 but everyones norm is different.

I think that they reckon 140/90 is the highest it should be without investigation. Mine was proven to be 'white coat syndrome' though

[Psychick]

That would make sense with being told mine is usually on the low side but still ok then.

Sorry more questions, whats white coat syndrome?

[redcrx]

fear of doctors, nurses, anything like that. Id worry and my BP would go up every time i went.

I had to have a 24 hour monitor on in the end to prove it was WCS

[Psychick]

Oh dear, not a good thing to have especially when pregnant!

Have you given the midwife a call yet btw?

[redcrx]

no I havnt psy , just gave a good friend a call as she has had 4 children and she says, as GS does, that I know all the danger signs and as baby is moving ok it may just be position of baby at time of BH. I will certainly mention it next week though.

[Psychick]

Morning red, Im seeing my midwife in about an hour and was wondering if you wanted me to mention the head popping sensation with BH and see what she suggests? How are they today btw?

[redcrx]

psy, if you remember then thatd be great but dont sacrifice your own time to ask.

Its hard to describe, its not a dizzy feeling, i can see straight with no flashy lights, but as my tummy tightens its as if Ive got sinus problems and my head feels like its under pressure. Im sure its all fine and bubs isnt at all fussed so dont worry if you dont ask xx

[Psychick]

I will ask, if I remember lol, my memory isnt what it used to be! If I get nasty midwife again though Im just walking out though. My nice one had to talk me back into having a homebirth after I see nasty one and Im supposed to be signing the forms and booking in for all that today.

Would it be cheeky of me to call ahead and ask which one is there today and then so forget it then if its nasty one? lol

[redcrx]

no, you should go if its the nasty one and point out that you got your home birth approval regardless of what she said lol

Hope you get nice one though. Ive got 2 lovely midwives but one has just gone on maternity leave as shes expecting twins.

[Psychick]

Judging by your sisters mischievious mood, I think I will get her to tag along so she can sort the nasty one out lol

[Psychick]

Hi red, I remembered to ask the NICE midwife I just saw lol She says it is perfectly normal to get a congested feeling when having a BH and theres is nothing to worry about. If, however, you get the blurred vision/lights in front of your eyes, let your midwife know. But you know that anyway.

As I see a nice midwife, I got all my home birth forms signed and sorted so thats one less thing for me to worry about! Babys head is "very engaged" and baby is right down in my pelvis. She has said, although possible, it is very unlikely it will move now as its well and truely in there!

[redcrx]

thank you hun!! I didnt think there was a problem but its nice to be reassured isnt it.

Blimey, baby really is on the starting blocks now, all ready to go eh? Mine is still spinning and turning, though hopefully i will get a scan next week and get to see.

glad you got nice midwife again and finalised home birth. Are you planning a waterbirth or just getting on with it as it happens?