The Masterpiece Mom

Home » Misc » Braxton hicks with pressure

Braxton hicks with pressure


How to Tell the Difference?

What are Braxton Hicks contractions?

Braxton Hicks contractions, also known as false contractions, are the sensations your uterus produces in order to prepare for the labor. Your doctor will most likely inform you of Braxton Hicks and let you know to not concern over it. 

Still, women who are at risk of premature labor, and women with other health risk factors affecting the pregnancy often worry about being unable to distinguish real contractions from Braxton Hicks.

You can picture Braxton Hicks contractions as a way for your uterus to get in shape, to exercise, in order to prepare for childbirth. 

Unlike real contractions, Braxton Hicks are weaker and last up to 30 seconds. 

Typically, Braxton Hicks are the localized contractions of the sides of the uterus, rather than the front. However, as the belly already feels tight, it might be hard for you to distinguish whether your belly is tightening from the top downwards, or only on the sides.  

Take a quiz

Find out what you can do with our Health Assistant

Braxton Hicks contractions can be repetitive but are not rhythmic, they do not get stronger. They appear randomly, or sporadically. 

Most women get used to having Braxton Hicks in certain times of the day or in certain situations. For most women, the false contractions intensify when they're more active or get tired. Long sitting can also intensify Braxton Hicks, and they're frequent in late evenings.

Since every woman has a different level of sensitivity to contractions and other sensations that occur inside the belly (gas, bloating, under-rib pains and stretching), Braxton Hicks will feel differently. 

In general, you'll feel false contractions as a type of painless, numb pressure in your upper abdomen. If you're sensitive enough to distinguish that the cramping is happening at the sides of the uterus, good for you! If not, don't get alarmed. There are still plenty of ways and strategies for you to distinguish false from real contractions.

What are real labor contractions?

A real contraction, on its own, happens when a uterus cramps from its top, creating a pressure on the cervix. 

This causes the cervix to shorten and then, and eventually start to dilate. When it comes to a timely, full-term labor, most women prefer for the process to go as fast as possible. 

However, if there's a risk from premature labor, you should learn more about real contraction to be able to recognize them. Here are some of the real contraction characteristics:

Pain

Real contractions are painful, but the intensity of pain varies among women.

Low-pelvic pressure

False contractions normally don't cause the pressuring feeling in the low abdomen and pelvic area. However, if you start feeling like there's something pressuring your pelvis from the inside out, it's possible that the contractions are real.

Rhythmic repetition

More frequent than 5 or 6 per hour. Real contractions most often repeat every 9-11 minutes and get progressively closer (every 8 and five minutes) with time.

Effect on the cervix

Real labor contractions do have an effect on the cervix opening.

Bleeding/other labor symptoms

If the contractions are accompanied by other labor symptoms, you can consider them to be real.

Persistence

Real contractions persist as the time passes, regardless if you change positions or rest. If your contractions persist regardless of rest, it’s time to grab your newborn essentials and head to the hospital!

How can I tell the difference between true and false labor?

There are a couple of ways to track your contractions and distinguish real from false. Here are a couple of guidelines:

Timing 

Are contractions regular and repetitive? Braxton Hicks contractions are random, and you won't notice them repeating after 20 or 15 minutes. However, if the real contractions start, they will most certainly repeat every 15-20 minutes.

Consistency

False contractions will stop if you lie down and get some rest, most often after 20-30 minutes. They will also ease if you empty your bladder and drink some water. Real contractions will progress even if you get some rest.

Low abdomen pain

Real contractions are followed with low abdomen pains, which vary from light, period-like cramping, to severe pain. Braxton Hicks can cause discomfort, especially if you're already feeling pains under your ribs or in your back (which is normal during pregnancy).

Lower back pain

Some women experience sharp, lower back pain during real contractions. If you already suffer from lower back pain, the contraction pains will be distinguishable as they'll feel sharper and more intense.

Duration

Braxton Hicks mainly last shorter than 30 seconds, while real contraction pains extend to 60 seconds or longer. The same goes for the pain sensation, regardless of the pain intensity.

Contraction course

With different levels of sensitivity to pain, and particularly with other typical pregnancy aches, you might be unable to distinguish the real contraction experience. In general, a real contraction will feel like a constant, lasting (60 seconds or longer) pain or pressure that starts either in your lower back (you might not feel this pain) and extend to your abdomen, resulting in low abdomen (pelvic) pressure. Unlike this, a false contraction will be a localized cramping in your upper abdomen lasting anywhere from a couple to 30 seconds.

When should I call my doctor, doula, birth partner?

If you're full term, your Braxton Hicks will become more frequent and intense. Still, there are a couple of guidelines for distinguishing real contractions from Braxton Hicks. 

Although these guidelines are general, every doctor practices their own protocols and tailors them to every individual pregnancy. 

For example, if your pregnancy was regular and with no risk factors from the start, your doctor will instruct you differently than if it was a high-risk pregnancy. 

Here's when you should grab your hospital bag and go to the doctor:

  • Contractions are rhythmic and repeat every 15 minutes.

One of the base differences between real and Braxton Hicks contractions is the pace in which contractions re-occur. Braxton Hicks is random, which means that you can have 2-3 contractions one hour, and then none at all for the rest of the day.

In the case of real contractions, the cramping doesn't stop after 2-3 hours. Instead, it intensifies. If you feel like your contractions are becoming regular or more intense past 2 hours, make sure to get medical help.

  • You feel contractions in your lower abdomen. Braxton Hicks is typical to the upper abdomen area (above your hips). Low abdomen contractions, however, are most likely real, especially if accompanied by sharp pain.
  • Contractions are painful. Braxton Hicks contractions are rarely painful. When they happen, you'll most likely feel a low-intense pain in your back or upper abdomen. If the contractions you are feeling are painful and focused in your lower abdomen, there's a good chance they're real.
  • Presence of other symptoms. Nausea, vomiting, increased temperature, and blood pressure – are all signs that you need some sort of medical help. Contractions accompanied with these symptoms don't always have to signal labor, but they do in most cases.

Summing up

If you're not yet to go into labor, and you fear to miss the initial signs of a premature labor, your concerns are even greater. On a humorous side, most women realize that the intensity of Braxton Hicks contractions is nowhere near the intensity of real contractions. Rest assured that you will be able to distinguish real from false contractions. If you’re still worried, don’t hesitate to give your midwife or doctor a call and ask any questions.

Braxton Hicks contractions | Pregnancy Birth and Baby

Braxton Hicks contractions | Pregnancy Birth and Baby beginning of content

4-minute read

Listen

If you feel tightening or cramping in your abdomen during your pregnancy, you may be having Braxton Hicks contractions. This is normal and not a sign that you’re ready to give birth.

Braxton Hicks contractions are sometimes called ‘false’ or ‘practice’ contractions.

What are Braxton Hicks contractions?

Braxton Hicks contractions are a tightening in your abdomen that comes and goes. They are contractions of your uterus in preparation for giving birth. They tone the muscles in your uterus and may also help prepare the cervix for birth.

Braxton Hicks contractions don’t cause labour and aren’t a sign that labour is beginning.

If you’re not sure whether what you’re experiencing is Braxton Hicks contractions or actual labour, contact your doctor or midwife. They will be able to tell by doing a vaginal examination — if there are no signs that your cervix is changing, it is not labour.

What do they feel like?

Braxton Hicks contractions feel like muscles tightening across your belly, and if you put your hands on your belly when the contractions happen, you can probably feel your uterus becoming hard.

The contractions come irregularly and usually last for about 30 seconds. While they can be uncomfortable, they usually aren’t painful.

If the pain or discomfort of your contractions eases off, they’re probably Braxton Hicks contractions.

When do you get them?

Braxton Hicks contractions occur from early in your pregnancy but you may not feel them until the second trimester. If this is your first pregnancy, you might start to feel them from about 16 weeks. In later pregnancies, you may feel Braxton Hicks contractions more often, or earlier. Some women won’t feel them at all.

In late pregnancy, you may experience Braxton Hicks contractions more often — perhaps as much as every 10 to 20 minutes. This is a sign that you are preparing for labour — known as prelabour.

How are Braxton Hicks contractions different from labour pain?

There are some differences between Braxton Hicks contractions and true labour contractions that will help your doctor or midwife decide whether you are in labour:

Braxton Hicks contractions:

  • don’t result in your cervix thinning and opening
  • usually last for about 30 seconds
  • can be uncomfortable, but usually aren’t painful
  • come and go at irregular times
  • usually occur no more than once or twice an hour (until late in the pregnancy), a few times a day
  • usually stop if you change position or activity or go for a walk
  • usually go if you have a warm bath or shower

Real labour contractions:

  • result in your cervix thinning and opening
  • last 30 to 70 seconds
  • become very regular
  • get closer together
  • last longer as time goes by
  • get stronger or come more often when you walk
  • get stronger over time

Should I call my doctor or midwife?

If you are less than 37 weeks pregnant, contractions can be a sign of premature labour. Contact your doctor or midwife immediately if:

  • you feel pain, pressure or discomfort in your pelvis, abdomen or lower back
  • the contractions become stronger, closer together and more regular
  • there is fluid leaking or gushing from your vagina

If you are full-term, you may choose to wait until a bit later in your labour, depending on what you have arranged with your doctor or midwife. If your waters break, or your contractions are strong and 5 minutes apart, it’s time to go to the hospital.

As any stage of pregnancy, you should contact your doctor or midwife immediately if you:

  • you have persistent pain in your abdomen
  • you have vaginal bleeding
  • you notice your baby’s movements have slowed or stopped
  • you feel very unwell

If you are in doubt, don’t hesitate to call your doctor or midwife for advice.

How can I ease the discomfort?

Braxton Hicks contractions are normal and don’t need treatment. But if you feel uncomfortable, you can try:

  • lying down
  • taking a walk
  • relaxing in a warm bath
  • having a massage

It may help to practise your breathing exercises during your Braxton Hicks contractions.

Sources:
Raising Children Network (23 weeks pregnant), RANZCOG (Labour and birth), Elsevier Patient Education (Braxton Hicks Contractions)

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: October 2020


Back To Top

Related pages

  • Giving birth - stages of labour
  • Health professionals involved in your pregnancy
  • Signs of premature labour

Need more information?

Pregnancy at week 22

By week 22, some parts of your baby’s body are fully formed, while some women experience Braxton Hicks contractions about now.