As you begin mentally preparing for labor and delivery, your body may do some preparation drills. One such physical preparation can be the onset of Braxton-Hicks contractions. The frequency of these contractions can vary based on factors like your activity and hydration levels.
Regardless of the frequency, Braxton-Hicks contractions are quite normal and can really help you know more about what to expect as you count down to the big day. Braxton-Hicks contractions are common during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
These contractions also tend to be pretty painless. Braxton-Hicks occur when the uterus muscles tighten and loosen, and they may increase as you approach your due date. They generally come at random times throughout the day and may stop with certain movements or body positions. Related: Learn how to tell Braxton-Hicks from labor contractions.
Some things may increase its related contractions, such as:. Talk to your doctor if you think you may have uterine irritability. In most cases, contractions will go away on their own and pose no risk to the mom or baby. You may want to record the frequency and pain level of your contractions for your doctor.
Your doctor may recommend that you try some of these things at home to help treat false labor contractions:. Understanding Braxton Hicks contractions during pregnancy - when they occur, what they're like, and how to relieve them, as well as how your true labor contractions will differ - can help you interpret what is occurring in your body, and when it's really time to go to the hospital or call your OB doctor.
As with most all pregnancy matters, Braxton Hicks contractions are different for every woman. All pregnant women experience these contractions but not all expecting mothers are aware they occur. Some women don't feel any kind of contraction until delivery day, and that is completely normal. You don't need to worry if you haven't felt any warm-up contractions. Many women, however, do feel their Braxton Hicks contractions, usually any time after the week marker of pregnancy.
While some women feel them this early, others may not experience any until the later weeks of pregnancy. In second and third pregnancies, some mothers say they're Braxton Hicks contractions start earlier. Braxton Hicks contractions often begin very mildly, feeling like a tightening sensation across the uterus. They may become stronger in the later weeks of pregnancy. Their strength and recurrence is how expecting mothers confuse them with true labor contractions.
The job of a true labor contraction is to dilate the cervix. Braxton Hicks contractions, you may remember, work only to tone the uterus and do not cause the cervix to dilate. Of course, you can't tell if your cervix is dilated unless you go in and have your obstetrician or midwife check you, but Braxton Hicks contractions have other distinct characteristics like:.
While they may occur without reason, there are some known life factors that cause women to have Braxton Hicks contractions:. If you're having lots of Braxton Hicks contractions, don't stop your normal activities, but do make sure that you stay well hydrated and take some time to get off your feet during the day.
Labor contractions will grow stronger, longer, and more frequent as they cause your cervix to dilate. True labor contractions are too painful to talk through, and they may bring tears to your eyes. Find out more about what contractions feel like according to moms.
You'll want to start timing your contractions — how far apart they are and how long they last. Time contractions starting from the beginning of one until the beginning of the next. Your doctor or midwife probably gave you directions about when to come in based on the timing of the contractions. If not, give them a call and ask. These videos explain more about how contractions feel and how to time contractions.
If you're having lower back pain along with contractions, it may be a signal that you're having back labor. The pain from back labor continues between contractions, though it may get stronger during contractions. Back pain usually means that your baby's head is pressing against your lower back, though one theory suggests that the pain may be "referred" from your uterus to your lower back.
When the fluid-filled amniotic sac surrounding your baby ruptures, fluid leaks from your vagina. It may come out in a large gush or a small trickle, or anything in between. If you're not sure whether your water broke, call your doctor or midwife to discuss your symptoms.
Labor usually follows soon after your water breaks — regular contractions often start before this, but in some cases, the water breaks first. If your water breaks when you're full term but you're not in labor not having contractions , it's called premature rupture of membranes PROM. If you don't start having contractions on your own within six to 24 hours of your water breaking, your provider will most likely recommend that labor be induced.
That's because your baby is more likely to get an infection without the amniotic sac's protection against germs. Most providers will offer you an immediate induction but give you the option to postpone if you want to give labor a chance to start on its own. If you're leaking amniotic fluid before 37 weeks, it's called preterm premature rupture of membranes PPROM , and it may mean your baby will be delivered prematurely due to the increased risk of infection.
Whenever your water breaks, call your doctor or midwife. Call them even if you think your water broke but aren't sure. Regardless of contractions, if you're group B strep positive you'll need to start on antibiotics as soon as your water breaks to prevent an infection in your baby.
Labor usually starts between week 37 and week 42 of pregnancy. If you start having regular contractions that cause your cervix to begin to open before you reach 37 weeks of pregnancy, you're in preterm labor.
It's also known as premature labor. It can be difficult to tell whether you're having preterm labor or not, because some of the symptoms like Braxton Hicks and low back pain may be things you've experienced throughout your pregnancy. Still, call your doctor or midwife right away if you're having any of the following symptoms before 37 weeks:. If you are — or might be — in preterm labor, your doctor or midwife may give you medications to help your baby's lungs mature, and to protect their brain.
You may also receive medicine to stop or slow early contractions. Getting these medications early can improve outcomes for your baby, so be sure to call if you think you may be in preterm labor. It can be hard to tell at first. But the frequency, length, intensity, and location of your contractions can help you figure out whether you're in true labor or are having Braxton Hicks contractions. How changing positions, walking, and rest affect your contractions provide more clues.
Additionally, if you notice any bloody show with your contractions, they're probably true labor contractions. No matter how well informed you are about the signs of labor, it's normal to have a false alarm. Don't be embarrassed about calling your doctor — or showing up at the hospital — because you think you're in labor when you're not.
If you're assessed at the hospital and sent home because you're not in labor yet, your care team will give you specific instructions about changes to look for in the next few days or weeks and when to call or come back. Toward the end of your pregnancy, your doctor or midwife will most likely give you clear guidelines about when to let them know that you're having contractions, and when you should grab your hospital bag and head to the hospital or birth center.
Your instructions will depend on your individual situation — such as whether you have a high-risk pregnancy or other complications , if this is your first baby, if you're planning a cesarean delivery , and how far you live from the hospital or birth center.
If your pregnancy is uncomplicated, they'll probably have you wait to come in until you've been having contractions that last for about a minute each, occur every five minutes for about an hour, and are very uncomfortable. If you're unsure whether it's time, go ahead and call.
Doctors and midwives are used to getting calls from women for guidance about whether they're in labor. When you call, your doctor or midwife will get some clues about your condition from the sound of your voice.
They'll want to know:. Your provider will also take your obstetric history into account. What number baby is this for you? Did you have fast labors in the past? Have you had a c-section and are you planning to have one this pregnancy? Are you group B strep positive or negative? If your water breaks, call your provider. They may have you wait at home until you also have regular contractions or a certain amount of time has passed, or they may want you to head to the hospital.
If you tested positive for group B streptococcus, for example, your provider will want you to go to the hospital as soon as your water breaks so you can start taking antibiotics. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals.
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