Differences in real/false contractions?

Question

I am 37.3 weeks and having a lot of braxton hiciks contractions, but what will the difference be with a real one?

I should probably add that this is my 3rd baby. I didn't even know I was having contractions with my 1st - they showed up on a monitor but I hardly felt them (wierd I know)... and I never lost my mucus plug with either of my other pregnancies until I was well into active labor! ????

If I am almost 38 weeks - aren't I already full term... should I worry if I am having contractions?

Answer 1

The real ones will come in regular intervals and won't stop and they will hurt LOTS more.

Here is what I found on a website:
Most women pregnant for the first time will often ask their midwives or friends this question, and the answer is maddeningly vague: "You'll know real labour when it begins." And they're right. Labour contractions are noticeably longer as well as more regular, frequent, and painful than Braxton Hicks contractions. Also, labour pains will increase in frequency, duration, and intensity as time goes on, while Braxton Hicks remain unpredictable and non-rhythmic.
Call if your contractions are accompanied by watery or bloody vaginal discharge. Until you reach term (37 weeks gestation), call your midwife if the contractions are accompanied by lower back pain, if you feel more than three contractions an hour, or if they're coming at regular intervals; these are signs of premature labour. If you're past 37 weeks, there's no need to call your midwife until your contractions last 60 seconds each and are five minutes apart.

Answer 2

There are differences between Braxton-Hicks contractions and real contractions. One big one being, if you can drink a bottle of water and lie down on your right side and they go away, these are Braxton-Hicks. I had to deal with these from months 2-9 with both of my pregnancies and had to be put on a drug called "breathine" to calm them down. If you do as above, and make sure you are hydrated and lie down on your side, and these contractions dont stop, then it may be a good idea to call your OB, as you may need to have a dose of meds to stop the contractions so that they dont turn into the real ones too early for baby. Good luck hun!

Answer 3

Braxton-Hicks will stop soon when you change positions and real ones won't. Braxton-Hicks will be felt mostly in the front around the baby while real contractions will be accompanied by back pain. There are some other differences, but these are the biggies.

Answer 4

The diagnosis of preterm labour is a dilemma that we are facing every day. It is very important. Why is it important? Just to summarise, certain statistics only for the United States it is important to remember that about 10%, 12% of births are preterm. And it is very important to remember that these preterm births are directly linked to 75% of prenatal mortality that we see today in non-anomalous foetuses. And it is also implicated for about half of the neurological, major handicaps that we see today. It is amazing that, clinically at least, as Professor Nikolaides mentioned this morning; our ability to clinically diagnose preterm labour is not very good.
you should read the rest at the link below will answer most of your questions

Answer 5

Braxton Hicks contractions are random- farther apart one time and closer the next, then farther apart again. Real contractions are about the same length apart, getting closer together as they continue.

Answer 6

Imagine period cramps.. times about 3000 in intensity. With Braxton it's just tightening of the uterus. With contractions it's hurts like a son of a gun.

Answer 7

It may not hurt that bad at first, just watch your time carefully. If your mucus plug brakes (this is different from your water braking) it means that labor is starting.

GOOD LUCK.

Answer 8

Oh baby, it's going to HURT, you'll know it!