No matter what stage you are in pregnancy, it's never too early to learn about Braxton-Hicks contractions (or false labor contractions). By the second trimester, some expectant mothers have already felt Braxton-Hicks contractions – which is often described as your stomach muscles tightening. Some women won't feel Braxton-Hicks contractions until the final trimester, when these false labor pains occur more frequently.
False labor pains are named after the nineteenth century obstetrician, Dr. John Braxton Hicks, who first described the phenomenon in 1872. Braxton-Hicks contractions have been occurring since you were 6 weeks pregnant, though most women don't notice them until halfway through their pregnancy.
When you first start to feel Braxton-Hicks contractions, you will find that they are more uncomfortable and a nuisance than they are painful. Some expectant mothers, however, do find false labor contractions a painful experience. How Braxton-Hicks contractions feel varies from woman to woman. You may find them painless, whereas your best friend thinks they're excruciating.
Experiencing any contractions, even false labor contractions, can worry you. Don't be – these false labor pains are absolutely normal. The purpose of Braxton-Hicks contractions is to help your body get ready for the childbirth experience.
As you get closer to your estimated due date, you will be noticing these misleading contractions more frequently. If you are anxious and worried about labor, you may find it hard to tell false contractions apart from the real thing.
The key difference between Braxton Hicks contractions and true labor pain is that false contractions are unpredictable and occur intermittently. They often come and go for no rhyme or reason. Unlike real labor contractions, they don't get stronger as the hours pass by, nor do they get closer together.
If you find that your contractions go away when you shift positions, or when you rest for a few minutes, that's a dead giveaway that you're experience Braxton-Hicks contractions. With real contractions, the pain doesn't stop regardless of what you do.
When you experience true labor contractions, you will experience tightening of your uterus that occurs at predictable intervals. For example, your contractions may be an hour apart. Each contraction usually lasts approximately 30 to 70 seconds (1 minute, 10 minutes). True contractions are usually painful, and as they get stronger, the severity of the pain intensifies.
The location of where you feel the contractions also plays a role in whether they are fake or real. You feel Braxton-Hicks contractions in your pelvic area or in the front of your stomach. When you are in real labor, you'll feel the pain in your lower back. From there, it moves to the front of your abdomen.
Braxton-Hicks contractions are usually felt alone. When you go into real labor, you will have other signs of impending labor – such as vaginal bleeding or discharge, a dull ache in the lower belly area, fluid leakage, menstrual-like cramps, and flu-like symptoms.
Anytime that you think you may be having true labor pains contact your caregiver right away.
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