Braxton Hicks contractions

What is the difference between a Braxton Hicks contraction and a true labor contraction?

Braxton Hicks contractions
As early as six weeks into all pregnancies, the uterus, which is a large muscle, begins to contract rhythmically. These contractions (called Braxton Hicks contractions or `False labor`) are usually irregular and painless. Because they usually do not cause the cervix to dilate, they do not threaten the pregnancy. They generally last about one to two minutes. While these contractions might be noticed during the second half of pregnancy, some women don't notice them at all.

Why do I have Braxton Hicks contractions?
Throughout the pregnancy, the uterus periodically contracts to facilitate better blood flow through the placenta and the fetus. Braxton Hicks contractions help to strengthen the uterine muscles and prepare them for the normal labor process.

What does a Braxton Hicks contraction feel like?

Braxton Hicks contractions aren't usually painful, just uncomfortable. It feels like a tightening of your belly in your lower abdomen and groin.

When is it getting serious?

Braxton Hicks contractions that tend to increase in frequency and intensity toward the end of the pregnancy may be misinterpreted as contractions of labor and are sometimes referred to as 'false labor' contractions. Women are not usually aware of cervical dilatation, the stretching and opening of the entrance to the uterus, and cervical dilatation can only be measured by a health practitioner during a pelvic examination.

What to Do

When you are experiencing contractions, either painful or painless, that occur more than four times an hour or are less than 15 minutes apart, you should report this activity to your physician or midwife. You should be prepared to answer the following questions:

• When did the discomfort start?
• What is the type and frequency of the contractions?
• What were you doing when the symptoms began?
• Do you have any other signs or symptoms such as:
  • menstrual-like cramps that may come and go
  • abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea
  • backache that is dull and may radiate around toward the abdomen
  • vaginal discharge increase or a noticeable change in color
  • pelvic pressure that is constant or intermittent

While waiting for your provider to return her call, you should:

• Stop whatever activity you were doing when the contractions started
• Lie down with your feet elevated or on your left side
• Drink two or three glasses of water or juice since these contractions can sometimes be brought on by dehydration.

These precautions sometimes cause contractions to subside. If symptoms do not lessen within one hour and you aren't able to get in touch with your health-care provider, you should go to the nearest hospital for further evaluation.

Pre Labor

At some point, normally between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy, something still unknown changes the Braxton Hicks contractions so that they begin to soften and open the cervix, eventually leading to the baby`s birth. If contractions lead to delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy, this is considered premature or preterm labor.

Real labor

Contractions during real labor are more painful and come in a steady rhythm. True labor contractions also become closer together and the pain gets worse.

John Braxton Hicks

(1823–August 28, 1897) John Braxton Hicks was a 19th century English doctor who specialized in obstetrics. He was born in Rye, Sussex and attended Guy's Hospital Medical School from 1841.

Hicks was the first physician to describe the bipolar and other methods of the version of a fetus. In 1872, he described the uterine contractions not resulting in childbirth now known as Braxton Hicks.

Comments: Braxton Hicks contractions

Comments 1 to 24 of about 59.
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butterball - 30 days ago.
ahhhh so that's what it's been , my husband and i just thought it was the baby bunching up in one spot or sticking it's butt out or something. hmmmmm

KCity - 51 days ago.
I'm 1 or 2 days short of 15 weeks and I'm pretty sure that I have been experiencing some pretty noticeable, and rather annoying BH's for about a week now. I didn't really think of it until yesterday when I mentioned the symptoms to my mom and she suggested that BH's is what it was... I feel menstrual-like cramps every once in a while, randomly, and when I feel these I usually touch my lower abdomen and can feel that my uterus has hardened a lot... They last for a couple minutes and then go away, and when I notice the cramping is gone, I feel again only to feel that most of the hardness is now soft again. I guess BH's is all that can really explain this.. I have a doc appt. in 4 days, so I will no doubt mention this to my doc, but I'm assuming it's pretty normal???

heartkid21 - 64 days ago.
22 weeks and have been having bad BH since noon...... drinking so much water to try to stop it. I am not having like labor pain...but these are uncomfortable and i don't like it! it has been hours!!! grrrr....maybe i will just go to bed and that would be best?!

mamacas26 - 72 days ago.
I am just about 27 weeks. This is my third pregnancy. I notice that with this pregnancy, the BH's are so much more intense. I had BH frequently with my last pregnancy (scared my midwives a bit sometimes) but they were normal. With this pregnancy, I don't get them as often, but they actually hurt my low back and are accompanied by cramping. I've been getting them like this for weeks now and I haven't gone into labor, so I'm assuming they are normal, but I am going to mention this to my midwife and see if she'll check me just to make sure my cervix isn't dilated or soft. But I keep thinking, man, if this is what BH's feel like this time around, what is labor going to feel like!

mamacas26 - 72 days ago.
I am just about 27 weeks. This is my third pregnancy. I notice that with this pregnancy, the BH's are so much more intense. I had BH frequently with my last pregnancy (scared my midwives a bit sometimes) but they were normal. With this pregnancy, I don't get them as often, but they actually hurt my low back and are accompanied by cramping. I've been getting them like this for weeks now and I haven't gone into labor, so I'm assuming they are normal, but I am going to mention this to my midwife and see if she'll check me just to make sure my cervix isn't dilated or soft. But I keep thinking, man, if this is what BH's feel like this time around, what is labor going to feel like!

dottie26 - 75 days ago.
i am 38 weeks i have been having BH's for maybe 2 to 3 weeks now. my dr.s appt was this past friday and i told him about the contractions and when he checked me he told me i was 1 cm dialated and 50% efffaced, needless to say i was excited for progress but these contractions hurt. with the contractions i know they're coming when i start to breathe hard and fast, then my stomach tighten up, my bottom feels heavy and my lower back cramps like crazy. now my legs become numb with the BH's and last night my whole back felt like it was on fire. if these are the 'fake contractions' then i am just so anxious to feel th3 real deal. i only experience these contractions during the nite when i am lying down on my left side.

Mama2B 01-10-10 - 78 days ago.
i've been having BH contractions for maybe 2 weeks now (21w5d now). i had just assumed it was baby just balling up down low in my uterus, as this is where the cramping occurs and it feels quite hard to the touch. they are a bit painful for me on occasion. i've woken up in the middle of the night and barely been able to move because of the discomfort. i'm going to try drinking more fluids and staying hydrated, hopefully this will help.

babyluv843 - 79 days ago.
I am 27 weeks, ive been getting them for about a month. 2 weeks ago I got food poisoning and went to the er, I was closed but my contractions were mild and 4 mins apart. they did that test to see if your going to deliver in the next 2 weeks. it was neg so they hydrated me and sent me home. yesterday i went to the doc and im 1 cm and soft, so now shes telling me to pay attn to these BH a little more and seeing me back in a week. im a little worried!

TR-Baby2 - 115 days ago.
20 weeks and noticing some good ones now!

EllaG - 132 days ago.
I'm 20w4d, and I think I'm getting BH contractions -I`m not sure if they are contractions or not but it feels like really really terrible cramping. I`ve taken a bunch of Rennies (like Tums) because at first I thought it might be just trapped wind, but they are still coming every few minutes. I don`t want to go to the hospital for something like indigestion, but I don`t want to risk not going if it is serious! The `contractions` have happened about 6 times in the last 40 minutes, completely out of the blue, no build up to them. When they are gone, I feel fine, but they last about a minute and are rather debilatating. Pls help! I don`t want the hospital staff to think I`m a nutso hypochondriac but I`m so worried about my baby if these are contractions.

axoo - 164 days ago.
I had braxtaon hick that lasted 45 minutes. I'm 31 weeks and 3 days pregnant. I felt the cramping in my vagina and I slept. It was gone almost but I feel mild cramps....

jessipoo - 168 days ago.
im not sure if this is just braxton hicks, my belly is really uncomfortable and im getting dull backache, the contractions are regular. im 36 weeks pregnant with my second, my first came at 37 weeks. should i ring the hospital for advise or wait it out and see if they subside??? they arent mega painful just REALLY uncomfortable and the backache is only dull. i dont want to make a drama out of 'fake contractions' and make an idiot of myself. advise please thanks xxx

lyssie - 172 days ago.
I've been getting contractions for a few weeks now. I lost my MP and dilated a little. I hope i dilated this week b/c these contractions have been really uncomfortable and waking me up all night! AHHH I am sick of them.

allboyz - 172 days ago.
Yes! Absolutely could be, especially with twins. Go or call in right away!

cdn - 172 days ago.
I'm 31 wks 3 days preg w twins. I'm having sharp pains in the mid of my back to my front under my ribs. Could this be preterm labor?

christi P - 187 days ago.
I'm at 22 weeks and I've been getting them a few times daily since around 11 weeks, they don't hurt and they aren't really uncomfortable for me yet... hopefully it stays this way. I usually just rub the rock hard bump and it goes away gradually.

RuthGrounded - 191 days ago.
m.e.a - I have had them from early on but, you should definitely mention it to your dr because it is hard to tell if they are casuing any changes in your cervix. Unfortunately for me, they were. I am on medication and still get them today (32 weeks) but they stopped casuing my cervix to shorten. Everyone is different and you probaly have nothing to worry about ..I don't want to scare you...but worth mentioning to your doc. Peace of mind is always nice,

m.e.a - 192 days ago.
ok ive been havin braxton hicks all week... im only 6 weeks? can someone please tell me theyve had them durin the 6 week term please i dont wanna feel alone

goddess27 - 196 days ago.
omg I have been havin bh since I was about 12 weeks and now in the last 2 weeks they have been getting really strong actually hurting my dr said as long as not in a regular patern is okay but man they are strong. it hurts from my abdomen down my back to m vagina. makes me just want labor to hurry up and come but I am only 34 weeks so I have atleat 3 more weeks till I am full term

nikongirl24 - 200 days ago.
OMG... I have been having BH contractions for a few weeks now. (Am currently 25 weeks). Let me tell you, they just hit me when I don't expect it. Yesterday i was working on a project with a group and it was like YIKES. Tense, tight and sooo uncomfortable! :( I have found though that if I lay down and my DH rubs my belly (cocoa butter time!) it helps so much! Seriously hate those things though, so uncomfy!

RuthGrounded - 201 days ago.
trying4babynum1 - I imagine they feel a little different for everyone so I would certainly ask your dr. For me, they are not painful or isolated to one side. It is more like a brief tightening of my uterus that does not really hurt but is more uncomfortable. If I get up or switch positions, it subsides. Hope you got the answers at your appointment.

trying4babynum1 - 202 days ago.
i think that i may be having these, drs appt 2mrw so i def have my list of ?'s to ask.. its like a sudden sharp pain ..mine lasts for about 30 secs to 1 min. but i just sit very still and close my eyes and try not to think about it and it goes away, they are in my right side for the most part.

jamie - 214 days ago.
Do braxton hicks wake anyone else up at night? Im almost 32 weeks and it just seems really early to be getting them this strong.

nirvana - 214 days ago.
This is my 4th pregnancy and with all of them i started having braxton hicks at around 14 weeks!! Only one of my babys came early and that was due to placental abruption. I am currently expecting my 4th baby, braxton hicks started at 13 weeks with this one but im 31 weeks and still going strong :) I find the braxtons get worse if i dont drink enough or if i over do things. So try drinking more and resting as much as is humanly possible.

AshleyNicole1016 - 215 days ago.
I've been having a lot of BH contractions lately, I'm 21 weeks. Last night I about fell over because of how tense they were and the pressure in my pelvic area was completely unbearable.

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