Braxton Hicks and Labour Contractions

Throughout pregnancy women experiencing 'Braxton Hicks' contraction, they are painless uterine tightening's usually lasting for about 30 seconds and helps to tone the uterus to get ready for labour.  False labour is a term that has fallen out of fashion because, your body is certainly not false.  

Please note that painful uterine contractions before 37 weeks of pregnancy is not normal, please speak with your midwife.  

The information below is from the baby centre and it explains how to tell the difference between Braxton Hicks contractions and when you are in labour contractions.

How do Braxton Hicks and labour contractions differ?

There are differences between Braxton Hicks contractions and labour contractions, so you should be able to tell them apart. 

Braxton Hicks contractions:

• Are infrequent, and usually happen no more than once or twice an hour, a few times a day.
• Often stop if you change activity. So walk about if you've been sitting, and sit down if you've been on your feet for a while.
• Are usually irregular, or if they are regular, only stay that way for a short spell.
• Don't last long, usually less than a minute.
• Continue to be unpredictable and non-rhythmic.
• Don't increase in intensity.

Compared with Braxton Hicks, labour contractions are:

• noticeably, and increasingly, longer
• more regular
• more frequent
• more painful
• increase in frequency and intensity

We do not recommend you Google your condition, if unsure about what you are experiencing, please speak with your midwife.