Braxton hicks while walking

How to Recognize Braxton Hicks Contractions

Contractions are a normal part of childbirth, but before “real” labor starts, you may experience “false” labor contractions, also known as Braxton Hicks contractions. While contractions of any kind are never fun, Braxton Hicks contractions are generally harmless (discomfort aside)—they’re just your body warming up for birth.

Determining whether you’re going into labor can be confusing, especially if it’s your first pregnancy. You might feel like you’re about to have your baby, only for the doctors or nurses to tell you that you aren’t actually experiencing labor contractions yet. So what gives? Below, we tapped the experts to answer all your questions about Braxton Hicks contractions, from what they are to how to relieve your symptoms, plus how to lower the odds you’ll ever experience them.

In this article:
What are Braxton Hicks contractions?
What causes Braxton Hicks contractions?
When do Braxton Hicks contractions start?
What do Braxton Hicks contractions feel like?
Braxton Hicks vs. real contractions
How to relieve Braxton Hicks contractions
When to call the doctor about Braxton Hicks contractions

What Are Braxton Hicks Contractions?

Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular contractions that can happen on and off before you’re actually in labor. Your uterus is a muscle, and anything that irritates that muscle can cause it to contract, says Jessica Shepherd, MD, an assistant professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology and director of minimally invasive gynecology at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago. In fact, it’s thought that Braxton Hicks contractions help tone the muscles of your uterus and prepare your cervix for birth—think of them as practice for the real deal.

Braxton Hicks contractions are common, but not everyone experiences them or is even aware that they are. While they can be quite painful, often, “Braxton Hicks contractions are so subtle, most pregnant women don’t realize they’re having them,” says Sherry A. Ross, MD, a women’s health expert and author of She-ology: The Definitive Guide to Women’s Intimate Health. Period.

These contractions don’t cause labor, says Christine Greves, MD, an ob-gyn at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies in Orlando, Florida. Labor contractions, on the other hand, are associated with cervical changes that mean your body is preparing to deliver a baby. “Braxton Hicks contractions are just annoying and create a lot of ambiguity: Are you in labor or is this fake?” Greves says.

What Causes Braxton Hicks Contractions?

There are several possible causes for Braxton Hicks contractions, including simply just being pregnant, but experts say these are the main reasons why you might experience them.

• Dehydration. This is a major cause of Braxton Hicks contractions, according to Greves. “The area in the brain that tells your uterus to contract is right next to the area of the brain that tells you when you’re thirsty,” she says—and sometimes when you’re thirsty, it can activate the area of your brain that causes contractions. Plus, muscle cramps—including in your uterus—are more likely to occur when you’re dehydrated, Shepherd says.

• A urinary tract infection. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can cause Braxton Hicks contractions, Shepherd says. Luckily, they go away after the UTI is treated.

• Too much activity. Sometimes overdoing it can spark Braxton Hicks contractions, Greves says. Even just standing on your feet or walking around for an extended period of time can trigger them. If you’ve been active and you start experiencing contractions, she recommends resting for a bit to see if they subside.

• Sex. Some women experience Braxton Hicks contractions during or after sex. When you orgasm, your body releases oxytocin, a hormone that makes your muscles contract. Plus, all that physical activity can prompt those contractions. They’re usually mild and resolve soon after intercourse.

When Do Braxton Hicks Contractions Start?

You can experience Braxton Hicks contractions at any point in your pregnancy, but they’re most common in the third trimester. They’re also more likely to be noticed at the end of the day.

What Do Braxton Hicks Contractions Feel Like?

If you’re wondering how you’ll know if what you’re experiencing are real labor pains, you’re no doubt curious to know, “what do Braxton Hicks contractions feel like?” Braxton Hicks contractions generally make your uterus feel like “a very tense basketball,” Greves says, as your muscles tighten. But everyone experiences these contractions differently; some women may feel a little uncomfortable, as if they’re having mild menstrual cramps, while others can actually be in pain. “Anywhere between discomfort and pain can be characterized as Braxton Hicks contractions,” Shepherd says.

Braxton Hicks vs. Real Contractions

The main difference between Braxton Hicks contractions and real contractions is that Braxton Hick isn’t a sign that you’re going into labor, while labor contractions indicate that your body is preparing to give birth.

So how do you know when it’s Braxton Hicks and not the real thing? One of the key differences between Braxton Hicks contractions vs. real contractions is that they’re irregular, while labor contractions are consistent. Braxton Hicks contractions usually last between 15 and 30 seconds at a time (but sometimes as long as two minutes), and they often subside when you change positions or activity. Real contractions, however, are more consistent, lasting anywhere between 30 and 90 seconds and become longer over time, and they don’t ease up when you move around.

Pain levels are a factor too. Unlike Braxton Hicks, “real uterine contractions start as menstrual cramps and continue getting more intense and painful,” Ross says. Plus, Braxton Hicks contractions are usually felt only in the front, whereas real contractions start in the back and move to the front.

When you’re having real contractions, you may experience other symptoms too, such as your water breaking or losing your mucus plug.

How to Relieve Braxton Hicks Contractions

The best remedy for Braxton Hicks contractions can vary depending on what’s causing them in the first place, but here are a few things to try:

• Drink fluids. Given that dehydration is a major cause of Braxton Hicks contractions, having some water should help them subside, Shepherd says.

• Rest. If you experience contractions after exercising or moving around a lot, it’s important to put your feet up. “Listen to your body,” Greves says. “If you feel like you’re contracting more with exercise, lay off.”

• Walk around. If your contractions don’t seem to be tied to exercise, getting up and moving around may help relieve them.

When to Call the Doctor About Braxton Hicks Contractions

While Braxton Hicks contractions are incredibly common, Greves says, it’s important to flag any contractions you experience to your doctor, who will want to confirm that you’re not in labor or preterm labor. You should also contact your doctor if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• More than eight contractions in under an hour or painful contractions that occur every 10 minutes or less
• Leaking amniotic fluid
• Vaginal bleeding
• Decreased fetal movement

Braxton Hicks can be confusing, but these contractions aren’t usually cause for alarm. However, if you’re still not sure whether you’re experiencing the real deal, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor. And if they are practice contractions, don’t worry—baby will be arriving soon; you just need to be a little more patient until they’re ready to make their grand entrance.

About the experts:

Jessica Shepherd, MD, FACOG, is an ob-gyn and minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. She is also the founder of Her Viewpoint, an online women’s health forum that focuses on addressing taboo topics in women’s health in a comfortable setting. She received her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in 2005.

Sherry A. Ross, MD, is an ob-gyn and women’s health expert at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, and author of she-ology and she-ology, the she-quel: let’s continue the conversation.

Christine Greves, MD, FACOG, is an ob-gyn at the Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies in Orlando, Florida. She received her medical degree from the University of South Florida College of Medicine.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

Plus, more from The Bump:

What Do Labor Contractions Feel Like?

How to Stay Hydrated During Pregnancy

Sex During Pregnancy: What You Need to Know

How to Deal With Exercise-Induced Braxton Hicks Contractions

It’s your first pregnancy and you’re feeling great. You’re happy that you’ve been able to continue running at your usual pace well into the middle of your pregnancy. Then, it happens—halfway through your usual run, your abdomen starts to feel tight and a little crampy. The sensations disappear when you stop running, but now you’re feeling scared that something may be wrong and that you’ll go into premature labor.

Take a deep breath, exhale, and relax.  In almost every case these infrequent, non-rhythmic contractions are your body’s way of preparing for the real event. They’re called Braxton Hicks contractions, and almost every woman will experience them at some time during pregnancy. Braxton Hicks contractions are your body’s way of “practicing” for labor and are also termed “false” labor pains.

You may start noticing these contractions sometime in the fourth month of pregnancy, and they may increase in frequency as you near your delivery date. For some women, exercise activates the contractions—abdominal movement may trigger them, but they can occur at any time. If the start of contractions during your exercise routine is making you feel anxious about exercise, read on to learn how to tell whether contractions are something to worry about or just a normal part of pregnancy. Here are the symptoms for each.

And to help ease the anxiety, try meditating. Aaptiv has meditations that help with everything from stress-release to anxiety to sleep.

True Labor Contractions

• Dull ache in your low back that may radiate to or from the pelvis
• Deep, sustained pressure in the lower abdomen and pelvis
• Sharp pain or cramps that come in regular sequence with the period between each contraction becoming shorter over time
• Contractions that don’t ease or stop with a change in position or rest
• Bright red vaginal bleeding
• Leaking or gushing of vaginal fluid
• Contractions that are so painful that you can’t walk or talk

Braxton Hicks Contractions

• Intermittent tightening of the abdominal muscles
• Contractions span from less than 30 seconds up to a couple of minutes
• Abdominal contractions ease up with rest or change in position or activity
• Not rhythmic
• Contractions aren’t super painful, instead feel more like mild cramps or abdominal tightening
• No increase in intensity or frequency

Maura Shirey, owner of Bodies for Birth, advises her clients to take more frequent rests and switch to lower-impact exercise (such as swapping out jogging for walking) if contractions make exercise uncomfortable. She also suggests that taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly several times, as you focus on your belly expanding and contracting with each breath, is an effective way to ease the abdominal muscle tightness. This breathing technique can also help reduce the anxious feeling that can accompany the contractions and allow time for your body to relax.

Another great way to focus on your breath? With meditation. Scroll through the category in the Aaptiv app. 

So, how do athletes cope with Braxton Hicks contractions?

Asia Shah is an accomplished marathon runner who continued to run impressive mileages throughout her two pregnancies.  She says she started to notice Braxton Hicks contractions in her second trimester during her runs. The first time she experienced the contractions, she checked in with her obstetrician. She was reassured that the contractions were a normal part of pregnancy, so she continued with her running, but implemented some changes to help her deal with the contractions.

Shah said that whenever the contractions occurred, she would stop and take some deep breaths as she rested. She also made sure she stayed well hydrated with electrolyte-infused water to avoid dehydration. Shah said that she consistently reduced her mileage as she neared her due date and didn’t push her body with high-intensity training.

How to Continue Exercising

Here are additional tips that’ll help you continue exercising when Braxton Hicks contractions occur.

• If at any time the contractions become increasingly painful, more rhythmic and frequent, stop exercising and check with your health care provider. It’s always better to be safe and assured that all is well with your pregnancy.
• Note when the contractions start during your workout. Scheduling a short rest right before the time that they usually occur can help you avoid or reduce the incidence of Braxton Hicks contractions.
• Consider reducing your exercise intensity or duration to see if that helps lessen the contractions. Splitting one workout into two shorter ones is another option.
• Hydrate before, during, and after exercise. Dehydration can activate Braxton Hicks contractions, so keep well hydrated by drinking a diluted electrolyte solution during your workout. Avoid full strength electrolyte drinks (as they have too much sugar), so dilute them to half strength or lower with water.
• Switch up your exercise mode. If you can’t continue to run through contractions, see if fast walking or a non-weight-bearing activity is more tolerable.
• Don’t feel that you’re going to hurt your baby if you continue to exercise through contractions. If the contractions are mild enough to keep going, it’s okay to continue with your workout.
• A belly band can be helpful if weight-bearing motion triggers contractions. Experiment with band positioning to see what position provides the best support for your tummy without impeding motion or breathing.

Don’t let Braxton Hicks contractions stop your prenatal exercise routine.

If you’re looking for low impact, prenatal workouts, Aaptiv has them! 

Stay mindful of how your body feels through every type of exercise and take it slow or stop when necessary. If you consistently experience these types of contractions or other physical discomforts or pains when exercising while pregnant, consult your health care provider.

Braxton-Hicks contractions or false labor contractions are irregular contractions and relaxation of the muscles of the uterus as a way of preparing for true labor. They are thought to start around 6 weeks of gestation but are not usually felt until the 2nd or 3rd trimester.

False contractions are a normal part of pregnancy. They may be uncomfortable, but not painful. Women describe them as a feeling that feels like mild menstrual cramps or tightness in a specific area of ​​the abdomen that quickly resolves.

They are also irregular in duration and intensity, occur infrequently, are unpredictable and not rhythmic, and are more uncomfortable than painful.

Braxton Hicks contractions tend to increase in frequency and intensity towards the end of pregnancy. Women often mistake Braxton Hicks contractions for real labor. However, unlike real contractions, they do not dilate the cervix and result in the birth of a baby.

Braxton Hicks contractions occur when the muscle fibers of the uterus contract and relax. The exact etiology of Braxton Hicks contractions is unknown. However, there are circumstances that can cause them:

• when the woman is very active,
• when the bladder is full,
• after sexual activity,
• when the woman is dehydrated.

Common among all these circumstances is the potential stress on the fetus and the need for increased blood flow to the placenta to provide oxygen to the fetus.

• Change position or activity level: if you were very active, lie down; if you have been sitting for a long time, go for a walk.
• Relax: take a warm bath, massage, read a book, listen to music or take a nap.

If you have Braxton Hicks contractions or if they continue and become more frequent and intense, you should see your doctor.

When assessing for Braxton Hicks contractions, there are a few key questions to ask yourself. We have prepared a table for you with questions, the answers to which will help you understand what kind of contractions you have:

	Braxton Higgs contractions	Real labor pains
How often do contractions occur?	Irregular and do not increase over time.	Occurs at regular intervals and gets stronger over time.
How long do contractions last?	Unpredictable. They can last less than 30 seconds or up to 2 minutes.	Lasts 30 to 90 seconds and gets longer over time.
How strong are the contractions?	Usually weak and either stay the same or get weaker and then disappear.	Increase over time.
Where do contractions feel?	Often only felt in the front of the abdomen or in one specific area.	Begin in the middle of the back and wrap around the belly towards the midline.
Do abbreviations change with movement?	May stop if activity level changes or if woman's position changes.	Continue and may even get worse with movement or change of position.

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false or real / “Waiting for the baby”

How to distinguish them from real contractions, and why they are needed, we will try to find out.