Braxton Hicks - how will I know the difference??

Question

How will I know if I am having braxtons or real contractions (when I do start to get them)? I know this is a silly question but this is my first pregnancy and I am coming towards the end of the journey. Things are catching up with me know like getting the nursery ready etc and I just suddenly freaked out about false labour LOL

Answer 1

Braxton Hicks normally will not get any stronger and will be irregular. Once you start the real thing, they become pretty regular and get more and more intense as each one comes and goes. Good luck!

Answer 2

Braxton Hicks come and go and do not get stronger and eventually stop. The real contractions come regularly and get more intense over time.
If you find that you're having contractions at regular intervals(for example every 15 minutes over an hour period), those may be real and you should call the doctor.
Next time they start, note what time it starts and then make note of when the next and the next comes and how long they last. You can even get a note pad and write them down and also use that pad to note the activeness of your baby.
Either way, if you have any concerns, even if they may be braxton-hicks, you should really call a doctor. Don't be uneasy about asking either for that is what they are there for.
Better safe than sorry.
Good Luck

Answer 3

You will know the difference between Braxton Hicks and actual labor pains. Real labor pains will continue to get worse as time progresses. Braxton Hicks contractions will usually subside if you change positions, like lay on your left side or get up and walk. Real labor doesn't just stop and go away completely, the contractions will come closer and closer and become stronger and stronger. Braxton Hicks will come sporadically and not progress with strength the longer you wait. Good Luck and congratulations:)

Answer 4

It's not a silly question at all for first-timers...Just remember longer stronger and closer together. This is an established labor pattern. Braxton-Hicks will also generally go away with a change in activity, real labor contractions don't. The timing of your contractions will get closer together, the contractions themselves will get longer, and they will become increasingly more uncomfortable. Longer, stronger, closer together!!!

Braxton's also are usually felt in the front as a tightening feeling...real labor contractions most always come from the back (think period cramps) and move to the front.

Answer 5

Ok, I had my daughter on December 7th, 2006. She was 20 days early. However, I was induced. I did go into false labor a few times before I had her. When the labor was false, I was having these tightenings in my abdomen. They were without pain. This proceeded to happen until I was about thirty five weeks pregnant. Then, the Saturday before I delivered, I was getting these sharp pains in my lower back and abdomen. They were real contractions. I went to the hospital and they put me on the monitor. Sure enough I was having real contractions, and they were very painful. My doctor did not want me to deliver yet, so she tried giving me fluids through IV. This did work because my contractions stopped. Apparently they were from dehydration, but they were causing some changes to my cervix.

Point being, you will definately know when they are real. The tightenings you are feeling that are Braxton Hicks are just preparing your body for what you are about to undergo. When you start feeling the pain in your lower abdomen that is associated with the tightenings, I would start to count how far apart they are, and when the time is appropriate to what your doctors have told you, then you need to go to the hospital. However, if you have any other health issues (I have kidney issues) it might be better for you to get to the hospital as soon as you experience these painful contractions.

Some people experience what is called back labor. I was one of these "lucky" ones. In that case, you will feel the pain all the way around your back and lower abdomen. If you have these back pains during that time of the month, chances are you will experience back labor.

I hope that this response has helped you, and good luck with your little one when he or she is born! :)

Answer 6

I ended up going into real labor at 30 weeks pregnant a little over a week ago. I constantly asked my doctor about this same question prior to this, but she just said...you'll know when you are in labor. My braxton hicks weren't bad at all, they were a little tight and there was pressure, but they were not painful like real contractions. Real contractions feel like you are cramping at first, like a period. They also come on like a wave of pain. They start off so you can talk through them, but after awhile they are too painful to talk through. My doctor says that once I'm 36 weeks along that I'm not to come into the hospital till I either break my water or I can't talk through the contractions. Ask your doctor though because everyone has a different opinion.

Right now I'm trying to ward off contractions with a pill, but it's not doing a good job. I'm 32 weeks pregnant and on bedrest till March 13th to try to keep this baby inside as long as possible...but she just doesn't want to cooperate. I'm going into the doctor today to see if I've dialated anymore (I was only 1 cm when in the hospital.)

Answer 7

The way you can tell the difference between Bh and real contractions is that BH make your stomach really tight, there may be some pain but mostly you will just feel uncomfortable. If you drink lots of water they will subside pretty quickly. They can last for a while sometimes as well. Just drink plenty of water, try to relax and breathe through them. This will help them ease up a lot faster. Real contractions are felt more in the pelvic region, kind of like where your torso ends and your hips begin. You can start having BH around the 5th month of prgnancy and never really know it.

Answer 8

You will definately know the difference. For me the pain of contractions were completely different from the Braxton-Hicks. Also, contractions usually come regularly and intensify with time, unlike Braxton-Hicks that come whenever and stay about the same in terms of pain. Also, if you get up and become active, Braxton-Hicks will go away, contractions won't.

Answer 9

Braxton hicks are NOT consistant.. like it would start and then 5 min later you would have another one and then 8 minutes later you may have another one... I am an expert to braxton hicks! =) Drink 12 oz of water and lay on your left side... if the contractions dont stop call your doctor... They will then give you some medication to stop your contractions and then you will be on your way =) Just slow down and don't over do it! How far along are you anyways? And be sure to drink PLENTY of water!! =) Congrats and good luck!!

Answer 10

Real labor really hurts. Braxton hicks kind of take your breath away but you can function through them. And they aren't regular, real contractions would come in waves about the same time in between. Good luck to you!!!!