False Labor Pains Or Braxton Hicks---You may have “false” labor pains,
also known as Braxton Hicks contractions, before “true” labor begins.
These irregular uterine contractions are perfectly normal and may start
to occur as early as the second trimester, although they are more common during the third trimester of pregnancy. They are your body’s way of getting ready for the “real thing.”
The painless and infrequent Braxton Hicks contractions that you may have been feeling since mid-pregnancy sometimes become more rhythmic, relatively close together, and even painful, at approaching your due date, possibly fooling you into thinking you’re in labor.
These irregular uterine contractions are perfectly normal and may start to occur as early as the second trimester, although they are more common during the third trimester of pregnancy. They are your body’s way of getting ready for the “real thing.”
Labor is the physiologic process of propelling the fetus out of the uterus and into the world. Painful and regular uterine contractions have two primary purposes is this process: the first is to dilate the cervix, and the second is to push the fetus through the birth canal. However, painful contractions alone are not sufficient to make the diagnosis of labor; these contractions must be accompanied by cervical dilation and effacement. It can therefore be quite difficult for pregnant women to distinguish between contractions that are contributing to actual labor and contractions that are not.
Contractions that are not contributing to impending labor are called Braxton-Hicks contractions and are generally described as a brief tightening in the lower abdomen or cramping similar to menstrual cramps. They are often thought to be less painful, less frequent, and of shorter duration than the contractions of true labor; however, as the due date approaches, these contractions do often become more rhythmic, more intense, and more frequent.
The way a true labor contraction feels is different for each woman and may feel different from one pregnancy to the next. Labor contractions cause discomfort or a dull ache in your back and/or lower abdomen, along with pressure in the pelvis. Some women may also feel pain in their sides and thighs. Some women describe contractions as strong menstrual cramps, while others describe them as strong waves that feel like diarrhea cramps.
If you have signs of true labor, contact your health care provider immediately. But if you’re unsure, call your health care provider anyway. If you are experiencing any of the following you may be in true labor.
Contractions (tightening of the muscles in the uterus which cause discomfort or a dull ache in the lower abdomen) every 10 minutes or more than five contractions in an hour.
Regular tightening or pain in your back or lower abdomen.
Pressure in the pelvis or vagina.
Menstrual-like cramps.
Bleeding.
Fluid leak.
Flu-like symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
In contrast, if you are having Braxton Hicks contractions, you really don’t need to do anything unless they are causing you discomfort.
The painless and infrequent Braxton Hicks contractions that you may have been feeling since mid-pregnancy sometimes become more rhythmic, relatively close together, and even painful, at approaching your due date, possibly fooling you into thinking you’re in labor.
These irregular uterine contractions are perfectly normal and may start to occur as early as the second trimester, although they are more common during the third trimester of pregnancy. They are your body’s way of getting ready for the “real thing.”
Labor is the physiologic process of propelling the fetus out of the uterus and into the world. Painful and regular uterine contractions have two primary purposes is this process: the first is to dilate the cervix, and the second is to push the fetus through the birth canal. However, painful contractions alone are not sufficient to make the diagnosis of labor; these contractions must be accompanied by cervical dilation and effacement. It can therefore be quite difficult for pregnant women to distinguish between contractions that are contributing to actual labor and contractions that are not.
Contractions that are not contributing to impending labor are called Braxton-Hicks contractions and are generally described as a brief tightening in the lower abdomen or cramping similar to menstrual cramps. They are often thought to be less painful, less frequent, and of shorter duration than the contractions of true labor; however, as the due date approaches, these contractions do often become more rhythmic, more intense, and more frequent.
The way a true labor contraction feels is different for each woman and may feel different from one pregnancy to the next. Labor contractions cause discomfort or a dull ache in your back and/or lower abdomen, along with pressure in the pelvis. Some women may also feel pain in their sides and thighs. Some women describe contractions as strong menstrual cramps, while others describe them as strong waves that feel like diarrhea cramps.
If you have signs of true labor, contact your health care provider immediately. But if you’re unsure, call your health care provider anyway. If you are experiencing any of the following you may be in true labor.
Contractions (tightening of the muscles in the uterus which cause discomfort or a dull ache in the lower abdomen) every 10 minutes or more than five contractions in an hour.
Regular tightening or pain in your back or lower abdomen.
Pressure in the pelvis or vagina.
Menstrual-like cramps.
Bleeding.
Fluid leak.
Flu-like symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
In contrast, if you are having Braxton Hicks contractions, you really don’t need to do anything unless they are causing you discomfort.
