Labour and birth

Bringing on labour | Membrane sweep and induction | First stage of labour | Transition and second stage of labour | Third stage of labour | Natural pain relief | Epidurals | Breathing during labour | Birth partners | Water births | Forceps and ventouse | Caesareans | Recovery after a c-section

Braxton Hicks or contractions?

What are Braxton Hicks? | Why do Braxton Hicks happen? | Braxton Hicks or contractions? | How can I ease the discomfort? | When to seek medical advice?

Whether your due date's still months away, fast approaching or been and gone (in which case we sympathise - when you've waited 40 weeks each extra day can seem like, well, forever) and whether this is your first baby or most definitely your last, it's a good idea to gen up on exactly what to expect during the finale.

That's not to say everything will go like clockwork: just like pregnancy, every labour is different and it helps to remain flexible (and we're not just talking about your cervix). Some people give birth like "shelling peas" - for others it's more like passing a bowling ball.

Whichever camp you fall into, it undoubtedly helps if you've got a clue as to what's going on, understand the lingo and can make informed choices

One of the questions that comes up time and time again on our Childbirth Talk forum is: "Am I in established labour?" Working on the premise that if you're able to post eloquently on Mumsnet you're probably not (although there've been some notable exceptions) usually Braxton Hicks are to blame for the confusion. 

What are Braxton Hicks?

Irregular, usually painless uterine contractions, Braxton Hicks tend to occur from around the middle of your pregnancy (although they can start much earlier) and increase in frequency as your due date nears. That's not to say everyone gets them - and there's no need to worry if you don't.

"I had tightenings that didn't hurt from about 22 weeks. If I got too many I took it as a sign to slow down. They stopped a few days before labour started for some reason." Pruners

Essentially, they're the muscles of your womb contracting - typically for between 30 to 60 seconds at a time, but sometimes up to two minutes or so.

"I loved having BH... I had them with all three kids from about 30 weeks onwards. I felt like my tummy was shrink wrapping my baby! You could see my bump tighten up and see far more lumps and bumps of the baby at term." mellyonion

"They're never painful but often extremely uncomfortable; it feels like someone has taken a sheet and wrapped it around your waist and is pulling it tight behind you. They often make me a bit breathless and can have me pacing the floor for hours. like I said though, I never mistook them for labour as they were never painful in the way contractions are." Pinktulips

Why do Braxton Hicks happen?

Named after the English doctor, John Braxton Hicks, who first described them in 1872, today's experts are divided as to Braxton Hicks' purpose - some believe they help tone the uterine muscle and promote blood flow to the placenta, others that they help soften the cervix in preparation for labour.

Alternatively, it could just be your body having a right royal laugh at your sanity's expense. As Carmenere so insightfully puts it: "They are mother nature's joke on first-time mothers."

Also known as 'practice contractions', they're quite handy preparation for the full-blown article as you can practise your breathing exercises when they happen without feeling quite so foolish.

Braxton Hicks vs contractions - what's the difference?

There's many a red-faced mum-to-be that's been turned away from the delivery ward thanks to Braxton Hicks - especially during the latter stages of labour when they can increase in frequency and strength - what's sometimes referred to as "false labour".

"I'm 35 weeks pregnant and experiencing intense Braxton Hicks. I had one in a shop yesterday and leaned over the shop counter and went 'ohhh'... which got me quite a few worried glances!" Belgo

Typically though, Braxton Hicks differ from the real thing in that they're irregular in intensity and frequency and their timing is unpredictable and non-rhythmic - they tend to turn up, do their erratic thing and then taper off. Plus, they're usually not truly painful, more uncomfortable.

In contrast, real contractions increase in regularity, intensity and length as labour progresses, and become progressively painful.

"If you aren't sure whether they're BH or the real thing, have a bath or go to sleep. Usually, if they're real neither of these things will ease them and you won't be able to sleep through them!" Ewe

"My BH were worse in the evening but I could still talk through them... the 'proper' contractions were different though, they stopped me in my tracks." MrsTittleMouse

"BH don't hurt...they can be uncomfortable, but real contractions feel like they have purpose...they come from deeper, rather than a surface sort of tightening." mellyonion

How can I ease the discomfort?

While not as painful as true labour, Braxton Hicks can still be unpleasant. Common triggers include being active, someone touching your bump, having a full bladder, being dehydrated or following sex.

"I only ever really had them immediately after an orgasm." Tigerfeet

So don't get overly fruity when you need a wee and are gasping for a cuppa. Seriously though, changing what you're doing can often help, so if you're lying down get up, or, conversely, if you're walking around stop and put your feet up.

Practising your breathing exercises, a warm (not too hot) bath, or, as dehydration is a trigger, drinking a few glasses of water can also help. 

Warning signs to look out for if you're experiencing 'contractions' include:

• Lower back pain/cramping
• Bloody or watery vaginal discharge
• Regular contractions coming less than 12 minutes apart
• Heaviness in your pelvis and the urge to push
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea

If you're less than 37 weeks pregnant these could be signs you're going into premature labour and you should contact your doctor or midwife immediately.

If you're beyond 37 weeks, the above symptoms could mean D-Day has come a wee bit early. That said, if you experience any of the above or you think your waters have broken, you're bleeding or you believe your baby is not moving as much as normal, you should still contact your doctor or midwife immediately.

Bringing on labour | Membrane sweep and induction | First stage of labour | Transition and second stage of labour | Third stage of labour | Natural pain relief | Epidurals | Breathing during labour | Birth partners | Water births | Forceps and ventouse | Caesareans | Recovery after a c-section