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Dear Amber, last Sunday I was involved in a car accident. Soon after my bump felt really tight and the sensation stayed for roughly an hour. Since then I’ve felt it tighten but didn’t pay too much attention to it. Since yesterday tho I’ve started to feel pain when it happens( usually 3/4 times a day) and I’ve also noticed an increase in my vaginal discharge.
i’m starting to get a bit concerned now…
Do you think it would be better if I got checked out?
Thanks a lot

Hi Lula,

Sorry to hear about the car accident. What you describe sounds very much like Braxton Hicks. All women get Braxton Hicks contractions from very early on in pregnancy, but not all women feel them. A lot of women feel them in the later part of pregnancy, but there are others who feel them quite early on. Generally more women feel them in subsequent pregnancies than do first time round, but some women do feel them first time round, and others don’t feel them at all.

Braxton Hicks are practice contractions, which are thought to play a part in toning the muscles of the uterus ready for labour, and promote blood flow to the placenta. They feel like a (usually) painless squeeze, and will make some women catch their breath. However, they even be pretty uncomfortable for some women. There’s usually no pattern to Braxton Hicks, but they can be more noticeable when you’re tired, if you have a full bladder, if you are slightly dehydrated, or if you have been particularly active, although there’s not always a reason.

An increase in discharge is also quite normal during pregnancy as long as you don’t have any itching, soreness or an offensive smell, then it’s unlikely to be a cause for concern.

Given your car accident on Sunday however, there would be no harm in getting checked over if it would help put your mind at rest.