Braxton hicks contractions vs true labor contractions

Common Questions and Answers about Braxton hicks contractions vs true labor contractions

contractions

Hi there. Well, many women have Braxton Hicks contractions which are not true labor contractions. It's sort of like a rhythmic hardening of the abdomen. However, true contractions at 5 months can happen if you are in premature labor. I would contact your doctor to see if you should be seen or to get clarity on what you should do. BH contractions are again, common and you just rest. They are pretty harmless.

Well this is my first and I was just wondering if it was possible to have real contractions that don't actually turn into labor or if they are still considered Braxton hicks? I know Braxton hicks are not supposed to increase with walking but it seems like everytime I am walking for awhile I start to get pretty painful contractions, they are usually pretty close together but then stop when I sit down and take a break. This has been happening for about a week...

When you are having contractions and you place your hand on your belly if it is a true contraction and not Braxton hicks do you feel anything. With your hand other then hardening?

Braxton Hicks are real contractions but they're not strong enough to begin pulling the cervix open. Very rarely, women do get into late labor and they don't know it. They say bewildering things like "well I was in horrible pain that kept coming and going all day but it didn't occur to me I was in labor". I don't get that at all.

Will I feel braxton hicks contractions or real contractions all over my lower abdomen or is it possible to feel cramping on only my left side?

They tend to be much less painful than true labor contractions. One way known to sometimes stop Braxton hicks contractions is to take a walk. With true labor, this would not stop them and in fact can increase them. Resting will also help stop them. Your cervcix may dilate a little bit but it does so over time any way. But Braxton hicks can start as early as your second trimester. They do not cause you to dilate as in preparation for labor or anything like that.

so far for me whe i have braxton hicks they are about 10-20 minutes apart but when i had labor contractions they were much closee together....

Braxton Hicks contractions are just tightning , no pain , labor contractions hve pain wif the tightning even in early labor there will b some pain or discomfort

What's the difference between Braxton hicks contractions and labor contractions? I've been having really bad me steal like cramps for the past two days and excruciating back pain. I'm only 28 weeks.

Braxton Hicks are annoying. Ive been having real contractions all day. I was at the hospital all day they sent me home and I'm being scheduled to be induced tomorrow morning do to high blood pressure. How many weeks are you? And I hope your not like me and actually feel them. I didn't even know I was having contractions. Good luck.

True contractions are not relieved but an 8oz glass of water, resting on your left side for an hour and wake you when you are sleeping. True contractions cause you to make cervical change. I don't know how far along you are. They can feel like a squeezing and then release, can feel like back pain that comes and goes. Regardless, try 8oz glass of water, resting on left side (for good blood flow to baby) and then if it doesn't resolve call your OBGYN office.

Not very close together but they hurt a little but they are kind of high up like braxton hicks but painful, im 36 weeks and 3 days

Ur not alone. I've been having really hard BH-I read dehydration can cause them to be more severe. Try upping Ur water intake. This is my 3rd baby & I'm nervous/anxious etc. w/ my 1st my water broke-no contractions at all. 2nd I went in for an ultra sound & my fluids dropped a lot & my placenta started having problems so they sent me to the hospital that day to have the baby. So now my 3rd I don't know what to expect. Read up on Braxton Hicks vs contractions.

They probably are Braxton hicks. Thats how mi e feel, like cramps but a bit sharper. If ur stomach is tightening qhile ur cramping and they are consistent n strong thats more like a contraction.

Does it feel like period cramps or just a tightening?

If you are having more then 6 braxton hicks in an hour you should call your doctor. It is perfectly normal to have braxton hicks threw out your second and third trimester. Are the contractions painful? If you think your having real contractions and you can time then closer then 10 minutes apart and arnt yet 37 weeks you should go to the hospital. Braxton hicks are just your body's way of preparing for labor and are absolutely nothing to worry about.

I have those! But my midwife said they were braxton hicks... everyone tells me that braxton hicks dont feel like that but also that contractions dont either..

Real contractions generally cause discomfort or a dull ache in your lower abdomen and/or back.They cause pressure in your pelvis.It is common for some women to have pain in their sides or thighs.Women have described true labor contractions as being very similar to severe menstrual cramps or diarrhea cramps.True contractions occur at regular intervals and can last 30-70 seconds (on average, about a minute).

With my first I never experienced Braxton hicks, when I actually went into labor I didn't realize it was actual labor I just thought Braxton hicks until they started coming regularly and getting stronger lol.

How often should I be having Braxton hicks? I get them extremely often and was wondering if it's normal? They're starting to get lower like down into my pelvis.

My last pregnancy was 10yrs ago, and I don't remember having any contractions. I keep hearing that I'll know when I have one, Braxton Hicks or real labor, because my stomach will tighten. Can someone please be a little more descriptive?

Recommended