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Braxton Hicks

Braxton Hicks are intermittent contractions of the uterus that some women experience during their pregnancy. They were first described by Dr. John Braxton Hicks in 1872, an English gynecologist, and are often referred to as practice labor because they are thought to help prepare your body for the real deal.

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Some women have a lot of Braxton Hicks (particularly with second or subsequent pregnancies), while others report not feeling any. They may be short, barely noticeable and infrequent; or they may last for several minutes, stop you in your tracks, and occur several times an hour. Some women experience them from early in their pregnancy through to the end, while others don’t feel any until just a couple of weeks before they go into real labor. However, most women notice Braxton Hicks contractions in the second half of their pregnancies, particularly in their third trimester. They generally last between 30 and 60 seconds and occur less than four times an hour. They often feel like a tightening of the front of your abdomen or pelvis, but you may not even know you are having one unless you place your hand on your belly and notice it’s rigid and hard.

Real labor pains are different for every woman and even with each pregnancy; however, many describe them as being a dull ache in the lower abdomen and back with pelvic pressure, or like strong menstrual or diarrhea cramps.

Many doctors and midwives believe that Braxton Hicks may help tone your uterine muscles and promote blood flow to the placenta. And although true Braxton Hicks do not have any effect on your cervix, false labor (when they occur closer to actual delivery) can actually help your cervix dilate and efface.

Certain things can trigger Braxton Hicks, such as physical activity, touching your belly, movement of the baby, having sex, dehydration, or having a full bladder. If you are experiencing a lot of contractions, try changing positions or lying down on your left side, walking, and drinking water. If the contractions persist, call your doctor.

So how do you know when they’re just Braxton Hicks and when it’s time to head to the hospital?

Braxton Hicks:

  • are irregular in intensity
  • are irregular in pattern
  • are infrequent
  • do not increase in intensity or frequency
  • are more uncomfortable than painful
  • disappear if you change positions or activity level, or drink water

Real labor pains:

  • increase in intensity and frequency
  • have a pattern to them
  • do not lessen or disappear if you walk, drink water, or rest
  • are painful

Call your doctor if your contractions progress in intensity, frequency, and regularity or if you have other signs of labor such as abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, increased vaginal discharge, increased pelvic pressure, or low back pain.

 

Comment on this page...

Rachelle on 10/30/2009 4:47:09 PM
I am 24wks pregnant with my 4th child. I have 3 boys and I am finally having a girl. I have experienced Braxton Hicks with my 3rd child, my stomach got tight,I never felt any pain, I didn't know what they where at first, but after going to the hospital the doctor explained it. The doctor sent me back home and I kept having the contractions until 2wks later I spotted bleeding. I went back to the hospital they couldn't figure out why I was spotting or still having Braxton Hicks so they took him c-section. everything was fine though. I wish you ladies all the blessings in the world and congradulati on gods greates gift to a women (child)!!!!!!!!!
diana on 10/27/2009 4:55:58 PM
i am in my 33rd week and i have braxtons all the time .this is my third and final.iam so uncomfertabl it"s not fun anymore cant wait for my unknown sex of my baby to be here lol
Kapade on 10/27/2009 1:09:11 PM
I am 36 weeks and this is my 2nd baby boy my first boy I had him at 36 weeks because of very low amniotic fluid and he was 6lbs 15oz he was born jan. 6th 2009 and now im due with my 2nd on nov. 22nd but I have been in and out of the hospital because of leaking of fluid and very low amniotic fluid I have BH all the time as I did with my first but Im getting induced next week. I cant wait to have him! Good Luck out there to all of you mothers!!!!
tetty on 10/27/2009 7:30:21 AM
I am 30weeks and i feel bh everyday,it makes me uncomfortabl i pee every 30-40 min. This is my second, a boy while the first is a girl. Cant wait for it to be over. Best of luck to all moms.
debbie on 10/21/2009 11:58:30 AM
iam 30 weeks and have been having bh for about 3months now and they seem to be getting stronger now i cant wait until she comes.
Tyler on 10/14/2009 11:41:27 AM
Im 32 weeks already had braxton hicks contactions i scared for the real deal but im ready for my baby boy to come out.
angelica on 10/13/2009 11:23:22 AM
I am 26 weeks and having my second girl. I have maintained being excited until the other day. It felt like bh, but I was really having some contractions I'm hoping that I don't have to continue that anymore.
tarra on 10/12/2009 2:43:00 PM
i'm 21 weeks pregnant and have not felt any bh yet. this will be my second baby and my first girl. i'm extremely excited. but definitly not excited to feel bh. i didn't have them with my first child. hopefully i will be lucky enough to not feel them this time either.
Nonye on 10/12/2009 8:19:52 AM
I am already 39 weeks old and was given October 11 as my delivrey date.Till now I have not delivered and I am not feeliong any contraction though my baby still kicks very very well.Can I get an explanation to this situation?Thanks
Laura on 10/10/2009 5:07:22 PM
I to am on my second Pregnancy.i never felt any BH during the first but feel tthem every day with this one! I find then most when i am lid back in the recliner or lying back in bed watching tv. I can't wait for the real ones to kick in...this baby is already 6lbs 7 oz and I hate to think how much she will gain over the next 5 weeks!
tori on 10/10/2009 4:14:12 PM
im 26 weeks and i have braxton hicks everytime i get up and walk around it sucks so good luck ladies
mauzie on 10/5/2009 10:19:10 PM
im 34 wks and its hard for me to tell as well, but i have been having abdominal pain and pelvic pressure over the last two weeks. we are patiently awaiting the arrival of our precious baby boy. this is our 2nd and our 1st is a boy as well. Good Luck ladies and God Bless we all need it.
pdunston on 10/1/2009 9:03:46 AM
im 38weeks and im on my second baby i didnt feel the braxton hicks contractions with my first child i really feel them now, gOOD Luck to you all.
Heather on 9/28/2009 10:20:16 AM
I'm 32 wks and this is my 3rd. I had Braxton Hicks with my other 2 but later in the pregnancy. I have them all the time with this one and they are very intense. There are times I have to catch my breath and make myself breath during them because they take my breath away. It never fails I have to use the rest room when they are done. They happen multiple times a day. I should have no problem delivering at this rate.:) My doctor said it's normal especially the more children you have. Oh well I'm expecting this to be my last so I can't complain because in a couple of years I'm going to miss it.
Sierra on 9/20/2009 8:35:01 AM
This is my second pregnancy and im 32 weeks, and I feel the braxton hicks for the first time, but I know that it's not the real thing, but I wish it was. I am so ready for this pregnancy to be over, but the faulse labor has me a little afraid of real labor.
Constance on 9/12/2009 12:18:35 AM
I just got released from the hospital due to "Braxton Hicks", but mine were coming every min. to 3mins. apart. My doctor had to put me on the drip to stop me from going into labor. I've gone from being 34 1/2 weeks to now 32 1/2 weeks. My baby/belly is showing that I'm 34 1/2, but the frist pic. my dr. took state that I'm only 32 1/2 weeks along. This will be my husband and I fifth lil girl. I've always had my children @ 35 to 37 weeks and I'm soooo huge it's not even funny. People ask me if I'm haveing twins and I tell them no not that I know of it's just one. Lol. I've never felt nothing like this with any of my other children, to me it feels as if I'm in real laboe and I gave birth with no medications at all with our three year old back in 2006. Good luck to all of you mothers and it will be worth it in the long run.
lisa on 9/8/2009 3:35:22 AM
I AM 30 weeks pregnant and I have been having braxton hicks contractions for A couple OF weeks now and yes they are very unconfortabl and I have them constantly I can not wait for this baby TO come SO all OF this unconfortabl will GO away this IS MY 3rd and this will BE the LAST
stella on 9/7/2009 10:32:04 PM
I am 36 weeks pregnant with my six baby and its my first time feeling the braxton hicks its not a good feeling.
Katy on 9/3/2009 9:39:20 PM
im almost 30 weeks and been having Braxton Hicks since i was 22 or 23 weeks along. they are painful but only last a couple seconds. my dr says thats ok and normal for some woman. my baby is just fine and is over 3 pounds right now. they shock me more than hurt me. it happens and i have no idea when. theres no warning signs to let me know when their coming. im due nov. 17. only 10 and half more weeks left! thank God
Rene' on 9/2/2009 12:37:47 PM
I'm nearly 35weeks pregnant. I've experienced braxton hicks when i was nearly 29weeks pregnant. It's an uncomfortable feeling, lasts for about 30secs and is a rigid, hard, tight feeling of one's muscles contracting. It can be really uncomfortable when it occurs during your sleep. Switching positions can help ease the pain too. Now they bit intense as there's only a few more weeks left for me (^*,)
Jaime on 9/1/2009 5:46:54 AM
I am almost 30 week. Last week I had contractions OR braxton hicks for about 1 1/2 hours and they were every 3-4 minutes apart. It really worried me and I am going to have the doctor check me out to make sure I am not dialating. I never had this happen with my first pregnancy. I had braxton hicks, but they were very irregular, not in a pattern like this.
ebony on 8/28/2009 10:05:55 AM
i am 36 weeks pregnant its really hard to really. Know if they're real contractions. because i had my first 3 at 35 weeks due to blood pressure.
Ms on 8/27/2009 5:15:45 AM
am 33 weeks and a muslim, tried fasting yesterday and ended up having them for the better part of the afternoon. on breaking fast i drank lots of water and thnk God they dissappeared!
Billie on 8/24/2009 6:08:32 PM
I am 32 weeks and am feeling them. Today I had them all day long..not sure what to think at this point. this is my 3rd and I never had them lke this..hope all is well.
jacky on 8/17/2009 8:20:23 AM
is hard no notice if i am having a contraction, my baby moves up all the time and my stomac gets hard where he is. i am 38 weeks now and i do have abdomial pain, pelvic pressure and vaginal discharge with maroon color. I think i am almost there!!!!!!
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