What Are Braxton Hicks Contractions and How to Identify Them

You made it through first-trimester morning sickness. Now that you’re onto trimester #2, you can finally look forward to that new mama “glow” you’ve been hearing all about. All of a sudden, you feel something in your abdomen—no, not a kick. But it’s way too early for labor.

So, what gives? It could be Braxton Hicks contractions, a spasm of the uterine muscles, also known as “false labor” or prodromal labor pains.

No matter what you call them, feeling your abdomen suddenly twinge when you’re pregnant can be understandably alarming. Fortunately, these types of twinges can be a normal part of a healthy pregnancy.

Below, we take a closer look at why false labor happens, what causes a false contraction, and how to support your body as it prepares for real labor contractions.

What causes Braxton Hicks contractions (aka “False Labor”)?

False labor pains are thought to be your body’s way of telling you that it’s preparing for a special delivery (even if it’s a little earlier than you might prefer). But a Braxton Hicks contraction signal may also:

• Prepare female anatomy for labor – It’s thought that false labor contractions are a way the body prepares for labor by “toning” the muscles in the uterus. A false contraction may also serve to make the cervix less rigid to accommodate a future baby’s passage through the vaginal canal.

While true labor contractions are coupled with a widening or “dilation” of the cervix (which the baby must pass through), a Braxton Hicks contraction isn’t accompanied by a significant anatomical change.

• Help nurture babies’ growth – Braxton Hicks contractions are also associated with enhanced blood flow to the placenta, the temporary organ in your uterus that encases your baby. The placenta feeds a fetus’s growth via blood in the umbilical cord. It’s thought that contractions in the uterus may help ramp up the pressure of blood flow, thereby enhancing your baby’s access to nutrients and oxygen.

When do Braxton Hicks contractions start?

Given the important role they play in fetal and maternal health, many reproductive health experts believe Braxton Hicks contractions start as early as 6 weeks into a pregnancy—though moms typically aren’t able to feel them until around the second trimester.

Additionally, these false labor pains often persist, albeit intermittently, through the third trimester, until it’s time to deliver your baby.

What brings on Braxton Hicks contractions?

While false labor pains can be a perfectly normal part of pregnancy, they can be agitated by certain circumstances or activities. The most common ones include:

• Having penetrative sex – Many women notice Braxton Hicks contractions set in after having sex with their partners. This is thought to occur because the oxytocin produced during orgasm causes vaginal and uterine muscles to contract. The presence of semen, which contains a contraction-inducing substance called prostaglandins, is also thought to contribute.
• Waiting to pee – Frequent urination is one of the hallmark symptoms of pregnancy—and if your uterus is feeling crowded or “cramped,” it can tense up in response. Put simply, carrying around a full bladder can put extra pressure on your internal anatomy, which may sometimes induce false labor contractions.
• Experiencing physical exhaustion – Wearing yourself out can put stress on your body, and, in turn, your baby. Many pregnant women notice Braxton Hicks contractions crop up after a long day on their feet.

Braxton Hicks Contractions vs. Labor: How to Tell The Difference

If you’re concerned you’re going into labor, it’s important to reach out to your healthcare provider or OBGYN as soon as possible. However, there are 5 questions you can ask yourself to help you determine whether you’re experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions or real labor contractions.

#1 Are the contractions sporadic, or do they occur with regularity?

Braxton Hicks contractions arrive inconsistently, and often infrequently, over the course of several months. Pre-labor contractions will be considerably different: true labor pains tend to occur in regular intervals that get shortened over time, a sign that it’s time to prepare for labor.

#2 How long does each contraction persist?

Braxton Hicks contractions should only last between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. True labor contractions don’t last as long (between 30 and 90 seconds each), but they are more frequent.

#3 How would you describe the sensation of the contraction?

Braxton Hicks contractions aren’t normally very painful. Some women compare them to their usual monthly period cramps—mild, if uncomfortable—though they may vary in how intense they feel. If you experience these spasms in both your second and third trimesters, you may notice that later ones are more physically intense.

Pre-labor contractions, on the other hand, escalate in intensity (and, yes, painfulness). One rule of thumb researchers suggest is seeing whether you can nap or sleep through the discomfort: if you can, the sensations you’re experiencing are most likely Braxton Hicks contractions; otherwise, they may be true labor pains.

#4 Where are those sensations located?

Braxton Hicks contractions are typically only felt in a limited region of the body, like the abdomen. Before you go into labor, you may feel contractions in the:

• Abdomen
• Pelvic area
• Lower back
• Uterus and vagina

#5 How far along are you?

False labor pains may arise anywhere in the second or third trimester, while labor pains normally kick in during the final stretch of pregnancy, close to your due date.

If you’re approaching your due date and are worried your contractions could be a sign of premature delivery, reach out to your OBGYN or care provider immediately.

False Labor Pains: What’s Not Normal

Any unanticipated abdominal spasms you experience during pregnancy can be understandably disconcerting, so it’s important to know what’s normal—and what could be a sign that you require medical intervention.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, reach out to your healthcare provider right away:

• Contractions accompanied by vaginal bleeding or fluids
• Contractions that persist in 5-minute intervals for an hour or more
• Contractions that inhibit your physical movement
• Contractions accompanied by a noticeable change in your baby’s behavior or movements

Likewise, if you experience spasms or abdominal pains before your second trimester, it’s unlikely that Braxton Hicks contractions are the cause. In this case, it’s very important to reach out to a care provider. Ectopic pregnancy, placental abruption (where the placenta dislodges from the wall of the uterus), or other complications are associated with persistent abdominal cramping. These conditions can be severe and even fatal if they are not addressed immediately.

How to Soothe Braxton Hicks Contractions

In most cases, false labor pains are entirely normal. They’re simply your body’s evolutionary way of preparing you for pregnancy, delivery, and, ultimately, parenthood. However, that doesn’t mean you have to suffer through them.

These tactics can help you find some relief as your body prepares for labor day:

• Switch up your position – Sometimes, you can find relief from Braxton Hicks contractions simply by moving around or putting your body in a different posture. If you’re lying down, try sitting up; if you’re sitting, try taking a quick stroll around the block.
• Drink more water – Abdominal or uterine cramping can worsen when you’re dehydrated, so try keeping an eye on your water intake during pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends 64 to 96 ounces of water daily for pregnant women.
• Reconsider your activity levels – Some women who deal with Braxton Hicks contractions find they lessen after working out, while others see their spasms get worse after a long day of…well, anything. Before making any big changes, check in with your doctor. If you’re highly active or constantly on the go, they may recommend incorporating more recovery time into your routine. If you’ve been spending a lot of time playing couch potato, they might suggest trying gentle forms of exercise to get your blood flowing.
• Find ways to unwind – Stress-busting tactics are tremendous tools to keep in your pregnancy toolkit, and they can help soothe Braxton Hicks contractions as well. A hot water bottle, a hot shower, prenatal yoga, or prenatal massage—all can help relieve (or at least take your mind off of) the aches, pains, and spasms that can come with pregnancy.

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Sources:

1. National Library of Medicine. Braxton Hicks Contractions. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470546/
2. Cleveland Clinic. Placenta. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22337-placenta#function
3. Health Service Executive. Braxton Hicks contractions. https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/braxton-hicks/
4. Healthline. What Do Braxton-Hicks Feel Like? https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/what-do-braxton-hicks-feel-like#causes
5. Parents. What Do Braxton Hicks Contractions Feel Like? https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/how-can-i-tell-if-im-having-braxton-hicks-contractions/
6. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. How much water should I drink during pregnancy? https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/ask-acog/how-much-water-should-i-drink-during-pregnancy
7. National Library of Medicine. Treating pain during pregnancy. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2809170/