Braxton Hicks Vs Real Contractions
Can you please explain the difference between Braxton Hicks vs real contractions?
These type of “practice” contractions were first noted by Dr. John Braxton Hicks.
Believe it or not these types of contractions actually begin early in your pregnancy, generally after the first 6 to 8 weeks. However, very few women are able to actually feel these contractions at this point. These contractions will continue throughout most of your pregnancy, but you will probably not notice them until your due date is drawing closer. This of course is when some women mistake these contractions for real labor.
What Do Braxton Hicks Contractions Feel Like?
Many women who have given birth will tell you that there is no comparison between the Braxton Hicks contractions and actual labor contractions. However, it is extremely difficult for a woman giving birth for the first time to know the difference between real and preterm labor contractions.
So what does Braxton Hicks feel like? These type of contractions will be centered in your lower abdomen and be quite infrequent and erratic. The intensity of these contractions will also not intensify as time goes on. There is basically no type of rhythm to these contractions, and the sensation they create is generally more uncomfortable than painful.
If you get up and start to walk around and do an activity while having Braxton Hicks contractions, they tend to go away. If you are having actual labor contractions, no matter what you are doing, be it laying on the bed or moving around, the pain will stay consistent.
As your due date draws closer, these false labor pains may actually start to intensify and trick you into thinking it is time to go to the hospital. However, false labor pains will never become more intense and grow closer together or have any true rhythm. This is why it is extremely important to time your contractions after you have reached 37 weeks. You will want to time how long the contractions actually are and how long they last.
You can time a contraction by noting when it begins and when it ends; this will tell you how long a contraction is lasting. To record how far apart your contractions are, always time from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the other.
What Should I Do If I Am Having False Labor Pains?
Try walking around or doing an activity, as it generally helps to alleviate the pain. You could also try to drink a glass or two of water as dehydration tends to bring on these contractions. You should also attempt some of the relaxation techniques that you have learned in your Lamaze or Bradley method classes.
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