• Contact us
• About us
• A-Z topics
• Symptom Checker
• Service Finder
• Linking to us
• Information partners
• Terms of use
• Privacy

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is funded by the Australian Government and operated by Healthdirect Australia.

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is provided on behalf of the Department of Health

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby’s information and advice are developed and managed within a rigorous clinical governance framework. This website is certified by the Health On The Net (HON) foundation, the standard for trustworthy health information.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.

The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.

Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, this publication or any part of it may not be reproduced, altered, adapted, stored and/or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Healthdirect Australia.

Support this browser is being discontinued for Pregnancy, Birth and Baby

Support for this browser is being discontinued for this site

• Internet Explorer 11 and lower

We currently support Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Firefox and Safari. For more information, please visit the links below:

• Chrome by Google
• Firefox by Mozilla
• Microsoft Edge
• Safari by Apple

You are welcome to continue browsing this site with this browser. Some features, tools or interaction may not work correctly.

False alarm: Braxton Hicks contractions vs. true labor | Your Pregnancy Matters

“This is it! I’m going into labor!” That’s what you may think when you feel your abdomen tighten up repeatedly over a short period of time.

So, before you grab your bag and head to the hospital, learn how to know when you’re having Braxton Hicks contractions and when you should call your doctor.

However, there’s a good chance you’re experiencing false labor, more commonly known as Braxton Hicks contractions. In my experience working with pregnant women, almost all of them will feel Braxton Hicks contractions at some time during their pregnancy. They are named for the English doctor who first described them in 1872. After Dr. John Braxton Hicks noted that many of his patients felt contractions but were not actually in labor, he studied the phenomenon to help clear up the confusion.

Braxton Hicks contractions vs. true labor

Braxton Hicks contractions – which usually start during the third trimester – are thought of as the uterus practicing for labor, but they aren’t a sign you’re actually in labor.

The key difference between Braxton Hicks contractions and the real thing is that Braxton Hicks contractions aren’t coordinated. Real contractions start at the top of the uterus and, in a coordinated fashion, move through the middle of the uterus to the lower segment. Braxton Hicks contractions feel like a tightening of the abdomen and tend to be focused in one area. They don’t always travel through the whole uterus.

The other main distinguishing factor is time. Patients tell me, “I was having contractions every five or 10 minutes, but it only happened for 30 or 40 minutes.” These contractions may appear to be happening in some sort of pattern, but if you’re truly in labor, contractions will not stop and the time between them will get shorter.

Signs you may be experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions:

• They’re uncomfortable, but not usually painful.
  
• Intervals between contractions are irregular.
  
• Duration between each one doesn’t become shorter.
  
• They don’t get stronger over time.
  
• Contractions taper off and disappear.

Signs your contractions may indicate real labor:

• They’re painful.
  
• Intervals between each one become shorter.
  
• Contractions become stronger and last longer over time.
  
• They don’t stop.
  

What triggers Braxton Hicks contractions and how to stop them

The No. 1 cause of Braxton Hicks contractions is dehydration. Even minor dehydration can cause them. You’re a busy woman: work, family, friends, shopping for baby supplies. It’s easy to become occupied with a task and not realize you haven’t had a glass of water in a few hours. Especially in our Texas heat, you need to be vigilant about getting enough to drink. You also may experience Braxton Hicks if you are sick with a cold or flu and are vomiting or feeling nauseated. This often is related to dehydration.

If you come to the hospital to report contractions but aren’t sure you’re in labor, the first thing we’ll do after assessing your baby and checking your cervix is ask you to drink a few big cups of water in a short amount of time. If it’s Braxton Hicks, the contractions will stop fairly soon after you’re rehydrated. We give the same advice to women who call from home with the same concern.

Fetal movement also can trigger Braxton Hicks. Women often say they felt a sharp kick from the baby or a lot of activity right before contractions started.

Your activity also can trigger contractions. Whether you’re moving into a new house or just getting the nursery ready, extra movement – especially lifting – can bring on Braxton Hicks. This is why we tell pregnant women to rest often if they need to move or lift more than normal. On the other hand, some activity also can relieve Braxton Hicks contractions. If you’re sitting down, stand up and go for a walk. Sometimes just changing your position can help.

The 5-1-1 rule, and when to call your doctor

Patients sometimes confess to me, “I hate to bother you with a false alarm.” Don’t worry about it! If you aren’t sure whether you’re having Braxton Hicks contractions or you’re truly in labor, call us. That’s what we’re here for. We want a healthy mom and baby, and if you don’t tell us when something concerns you, we can’t help.

To ease patients’ minds when it comes to contractions, we talk about the 5-1-1 rule that signals you’re in true labor:

• Contractions occur every 5 minutes.
  
• Each contraction lasts at least 1 minute.
  
• Contractions have been ongoing for 1 hour.
  

When you meet the 5-1-1 rule, call your doctor’s office or come in.

Here are a few other situations in which you should call or visit your doctor right away:

• Your water breaks: We don’t want you managing it on your own at home. Once your water breaks, you are at increased risk for a number of complications, so we want to monitor you in the hospital.
  
• Decreased fetal movement: Pay attention to any sudden changes in your baby’s activity – they aren’t moving as much or at all. A glass of orange juice or cold water might get your baby moving, but if that doesn’t work, you should see your doctor right away.
  
• Braxton Hicks contractions that start earlier than the third trimester: While they can occur in the second trimester, it may indicate preterm labor. Women who have had multiple pregnancies sometimes start to feel Braxton Hicks late in the second trimester because they are more sensitive and aware of how it feels. These moms may be inclined to shrug them off. However, if Braxton Hicks contractions start before the third trimester, tell your doctor just to be safe.
  

As mentioned, don’t hesitate to call your doctor’s office with a question. You will never annoy us! If it’s an emergency, call or go to the hospital immediately. However, if you have a less-pressing question about your pregnancy, my patients have found MyChart to be a convenient option to get answers. If you’re not a UT Southwestern Medical Center patient, ask if your healthcare provider has a similar tool.

MyChart allows you to communicate with your doctor through secure messages. It’s similar to email, but you don’t have to worry about sending your personal medical information through – it’s completely private and safe.

While Braxton Hicks contractions can be uncomfortable and annoying, they are perfectly normal and do not pose a danger to you or your baby. Stay calm and be patient. Even if it’s not labor, it’ll be great practice for motherhood.

If you have further questions about Braxton Hicks contractions or how to know when you’re in labor, request an appointment online or call 214-645-8300.

false or real / "Waiting for a baby"

I confirm More

• Invitro
• On company
• 2012
• fights: false or ...

• History
• Management
• Special ethics
• Innovation policy
• Social responsibility
6
• Technological policy
  • Equipment
  • TREATION TRAING
• Laboratory complex Invitro
• Medical Marketing
• Work in Invitro
• Feedback
• Contacts

Back to list

Contractions: false or real / "Waiting for a baby"

February

Shortly before childbirth, the expectant mother may be disturbed by training contractions, rhythmic contractions of the uterus, which quickly pass and appear sporadically. How to distinguish them from real contractions, and why they are needed, we will try to find out.

For the first time, the phenomenon of temporary contractions was described by the English doctor John Braxton Hicks. That is why they are called - Braxton Hicks contractions or false, training contractions, precursor contractions. In his scientific work of 1872, he argued that these contractions are short-term (from half a minute to 2 minutes) contractions of the muscles of the uterus, which are felt by a pregnant woman as an increase in the tone of the uterus. They appear after the 20th week of pregnancy. And during the day they happen often, but the expectant mother in the daytime may not even notice them. However, as time goes on, they intensify, becoming more and more obvious. nine0003

WHAT DO YOU NEED FALSE BROUGHT

The uterus is a muscular organ. And like any muscle that has to perform the work allotted to it in the body, it needs training. After all, if she hangs for all forty weeks like a bag, she will not cope with the load in childbirth. Thus, the purpose of training or false contractions is to prepare the uterus and cervix for childbirth. That is why one of the names of training bouts is contractions harbingers - harbingers of an approaching birth. nine0003

ARE FALSE PARTS PAINFUL?

As a rule, false contractions are painless, but with increasing duration they become more noticeable and bring more discomfort. However, in all women, they manifest themselves in different ways, someone does not feel them at all, and someone does not sleep at night, tossing and turning and trying to find a comfortable position for sleeping. It all depends on the pain threshold. The main thing in this situation is to stop being nervous about this and calm yourself with the thought that such training is necessary for the most important upcoming event - the birth of your crumbs. And to calm down a little and sleep better, ask your doctor to prescribe a sedative for you and get a special pillow for expectant and nursing mothers. With her, falling asleep and experiencing the discomfort of the last weeks of pregnancy will be much easier! nine0003

HOW TO LIVE WITH FREQUENT PARTS

Some expectant mothers complain that their Braxton Hicks contractions are frequent and cause significant discomfort, even when they are doing housework or other light physical activity. In such a situation, obstetricians are advised to lie down or vice versa, take an easy walk, in any case, change the type of activity. If training contractions bother you a lot, it is recommended to drink a glass of water, juice or herbal tea, calm down and get some rest. Ask someone close to give you a massage. Lie in silence. And to also benefit from training fights, try doing breathing exercises: practice breathing techniques in childbirth in practice. nine0003

HOW TO DIFFERENTIATE TRAINING FROM LIVING

The most important thing to understand is that real contractions are much more painful than Braxton Hicks contractions. You will understand it right away. In addition, the contractions that bring you closer to childbirth are more regular. The contractions begin in the lower back, spread to the front of the abdomen, and occur every 10 minutes (or more than 5 contractions per hour). Then they occur with an interval of about 30-70 seconds and over time the intervals between them are reduced. Some women describe the sensations of labor pains as severe menstrual cramps, or sensations during diarrhea, when the pain rolls in waves in the abdomen. These contractions, unlike false ones, continue even after a change in position and when walking, constantly intensifying. As soon as you feel all these symptoms, call your ob-gyn - hour X has arrived. If in doubt, also do not be afraid to disturb the doctor. The doctor will ask you a few questions that will help him determine the type of contractions and eliminate all your doubts and worries. After all, it is always better to consult a doctor and trust his professional experience. nine0003

You should seek help if:

• you have more than four contractions an hour and they happen regularly
• contractions are accompanied by pain in the lower spine
• contractions are accompanied by watery or bloody vaginal discharge
• the contractions are so strong that it is very difficult for you to endure them
• there is a marked change in the child's movement, or less than 10 movements every 2 hours nine0082 • you think your waters have started to break

Alla Misyutina, Consultant Physician, Independent Laboratory INVITRO

Dear women, during labor, the body needs a lot of oxygen, so proper breathing is very important. A large influx of oxygen into the blood of mother and baby alleviates the condition of the crumbs, which during childbirth experiences oxygen starvation. Special breathing techniques help to properly open the birth canal and make contractions and attempts as effective as possible. nine0003

Different types of breathing should be used at different stages of labor.

• During "false" contractions, breathing should be deep and slow. During the period when the contractions become more intense, it is necessary to use "pain-relieving breathing". This breathing is slow, deep, the inhalation is done through the nose, it should be longer than the exhalation through the mouth. More details: inhale is done at the expense of 1-2-3-4, and exhale - at the expense of 1-2-3-4-5-6. With the help of such breathing: mom relaxes, distracts from pain, focuses on the score; the baby receives as much as possible, so he needs oxygen. nine0082 • In breaks from contractions, you need to rest and breathe evenly without any effort, so that you can then easily follow the doctor's recommendations.
• During attempts, you need to exhale all the air from the lungs, then take a deep breath and push for up to 6-9 seconds. Quickly exhale all the air, quickly take a deep breath and again hold your breath for 6-9 seconds, and so on - about three times per attempt.
• In breaks from attempts to rest and breathe deeply, evenly and relaxed. nine0082 • It is very important to only push on the perineum and never push on the head. In this case, all efforts are wasted and will appear in the form of burst vessels in the eyes and on the face.
• In the period after the birth of the head, it is necessary to stop pushing and breathing shallowly, some call this breathing “dog-like”, deep breathing can harm both mom and baby. Then everything goes on as usual, the main thing is to obey the doctor.
• After the baby was born, within half an hour the last stage of labor begins - the birth of the placenta. Special breathing is no longer required, at the doctor's command, push a little into the perineum and EVERYTHING! Dear women, pain during childbirth is good, it means that your baby will be born soon. There is no need to resist the pain, this is a mistake that brings a woman and a child nothing but fatigue. On the contrary, it is necessary to concentrate and help in every possible way to give birth to a healthy baby. nine0003

BIRTH AGAIN

So, you have decided that this is no longer a “teaching”, but the beginning of childbirth. In addition to contractions, the onset of labor can be indicated by the outflow of amniotic fluid and the passage of a mucous plug that closes the lumen of the cervix. The mucous plug can also come off 2-3 days before delivery. However, her departure does not always mean that it is time to go to the hospital. During pregnancy, the cervix is ​​tightly closed. With the onset of labor pains, its opening begins: the cervix of the uterus gradually expands to 10-12 cm in diameter (full disclosure). The birth canal is preparing to "release" the child from the womb. Intrauterine pressure increases during contractions as the uterus shrinks. And in the end, this leads to rupture of the fetal bladder and the outflow of part of the amniotic fluid. nine0003

The first, preparatory, period of labor for women giving birth for the first time takes an average of 12 hours, and 2-4 hours less for those who have second births. At the beginning of the second stage of labor, contractions join the contractions - contractions of the muscles of the abdominal wall and diaphragm. In addition to the fact that different muscle groups are involved in contractions and attempts, they have one more important difference: contractions are an involuntary and uncontrollable phenomenon, neither their strength nor frequency depend on the woman in labor, while attempts to a certain extent obey her will , it can delay or strengthen them. Therefore, at this stage of childbirth, a lot depends on the expectant mother and her ability to quickly and correctly follow the commands of the obstetrician taking delivery. And most importantly - to tune in correctly and not allow panic and thoughts about something bad. Obstetricians and gynecologists recommend that mothers perceive childbirth as a holiday, a baby's birthday. Then it will be easier to concentrate on the fact that now your main task is to help the baby be born. If, during childbirth, the expectant mother panics, the concentration of adrenaline in her blood will increase significantly. Which will not have a very good effect on the process of childbirth. Adrenaline affects the synthesis of oxytocin, which significantly weakens contractions and slows down the process of childbirth. In addition, adrenaline completely blocks the production of endorphins, which will increase the feeling of pain during contractions and attempts. That is why it is so important to properly tune in, concentrate and help the baby to be born as soon as possible. nine0003

Lilia Egorova

Subscribe to our newsletters

Enter e-mail

I consent to processing of personal data nine0003

Subscribe

How to distinguish real contractions from training ones?

Shemyakina Natalya Nikolaevna, head of the obstetric department of the maternity hospital "Leleka" will help you figure it out.

Training contractions, or as they are also called, fake, or Braxton-Hicks contractions, are irregular contractions that do not have increasing intensity. The uterus may tone up, but normally, it should pass quickly. nine0003

For example, the tone appeared once in half an hour and the uterus relaxed rather quickly. Then the tone reappeared only after two hours and again passed. These are training contractions, they do not increase in intensity and do not become more frequent.

Training bouts are physiologically provided by our body. So the uterus is preparing to do the hard work in the process of childbirth. Normally, training contractions appear in terms of pregnancy close to childbirth - from the 37th week of pregnancy. nine0003

The appearance of training contractions in the early stages of pregnancy is not the norm

The uterus can tone up with an active lifestyle, physical activity, with a change in body position, but this tone should quickly pass. Normally, the uterus should not often come into tone. And even more so, contractions, as such, should not be until the 37th week of pregnancy.
Braxton Hicks contractions in the early stages are a threat of preterm labor. If a woman has contractions periodically during the day: after an hour, after 2, then again after an hour, (even if they are not regular), for periods up to 37 weeks, such a tone should alert the expectant mother. nine0082 Because this is not the norm, but the threat of premature birth. This is an occasion to contact a specialist and change your rhythm of life, put on a bandage. The causes of premature birth are most often internal, caused by hormonal disorders and a violation of the physical health of a woman. But significant physical activity and stress can also cause premature birth.

Labor pains

Unlike training pains, labor pains are regular. The uterus comes to tone first once every 15 minutes, and after a while - once every 7-10 minutes. Contractions gradually become more frequent, longer and stronger. And already occur every 5 minutes, then 3 and finally every 2 minutes. nine0003

True labor pains are contractions every 2 minutes, 40 seconds. If within an hour or two the contractions intensify - pains that begin in the lower abdomen or in the lower back and spread to the stomach - most likely, these are real labor pains.

Training contractions are NOT so much painful as unusual for a woman. When the expectant mother sees how the stomach comes into tone, its shape changes and it becomes dense, like an inflated ball. This might scare you a little. But a woman must understand that in real, labor pains, there must be a clear periodicity, intensification and acceleration over a certain period of time. Real fights never stop, but practice fights do. The uterus then comes to tone, then relaxes. nine0082 Women often confuse contractions with tone, which is caused by other physiological processes in the body. For example, increased intestinal peristalsis, intestinal infections, colic, etc.

What else should alert a woman?! If within an hour or two the uterus periodically comes into tone and mucous, bloody (streaked with blood or brown) discharge appears, then most likely there are structural changes in the cervix - it opens. Also an important sign to seek help is the discharge of the mucous plug long before childbirth. Her departure in terms of childbirth, a week or two before childbirth is normal. nine0003

Tracking labor pains

There are several methods for determining the types of contractions. A woman can do this herself, writing down the frequency and duration of contractions on paper or tracking them using special programs for a computer and phone. Or you can contact a doctor at antenatal clinic or at the maternity hospital, where a specialist will conduct fetal monitoring (fetal CTG). With the help of 2 sensors, the fetal heartbeat, uterine contractions are monitored and it is determined whether these are training contractions or labor.

Learn more

• 
  How to discipline my odd child
• 
  How to help a child with severe anxiety
• 
  Normal newborn head shape
• 
  Miscarriage pregnancy test positive
• 
  Flu symptoms in newborn
• 
  Naturally induce labor at 37 weeks
• 
  How does the placenta work
• 
  How to help your child sleep in their own room
• 
  Baby born yellow
• 
  Trouble pooping while pregnant
• 
  Kegel exercises postpartum