Braxton-Hicks Contractions

I started having frequent Braxton-Hicks contractions yesterday after eating crawfish with my mom and dad; they were delicious, but extremely salty, so I think I dehydrated myself and dehydration can apparently contribute to Braxton-Hicks contractions. They went away when I laid down to go to sleep last night, but when I started doing stuff (making pancakes, actually) around the house again this morning, the contractions started again, so I'm going to hang out in bed and drink a lot of water, and if they haven't diminished either totally or mostly by this evening, I'm going to call my midwife to let her know. I'm not freaking out, because Braxton-Hicks contractions occur throughout pregnancy, but it's not normal to notice as many as I've been noticing. I'm also reassured because Karen, one of the women who sometimes sings with my mom's group and who happens to have seven children, said she's had frequent Braxton-Hicks after eating salty crawfish, as well, which is reassuring, and that I should just keep doing what I'm doing until they go away.

I've got plenty to read, so laying on my left side and drinking water shouldn't get too boring and it couldn't possibly be as maddening as strict bed rest (I have deep respect for women who spend weeks or even months on strict bed rest!).

I was so nervous about the Braxton-Hicks last night that I had dream after dream that there was something wrong with the pregnancy, which had me feeling stressed out as soon as I woke up. I feel a little better about it now, but I always feel off balance and just out-of-sorts when I wake up feeling disturbed.

Reminder: tomorrow is my dad's birthday!