What is the difference between braxton hicks and tightenings

Every practice contraction is helping your body prepare for the big day when you do go into labour. How we wrote this article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the National Health Service NHS. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.

Updated April 30, What Are Braxton Hicks Contractions? Labour contractions are regular, predictable, and grow closer together over time. Braxton Hicks Contractions are felt in the front of the body. Labour contractions often start out in your lower back or abdomen. Sometimes they may feel like extreme period pains. A change in activity or position may cause Braxton Hicks Contractions to lessen or stop.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. You'll probably be having lots of Braxton Hicks contractions by now. It's your body's way of preparing for the birth. They should stop if you move position. Learn how the uterus works, nurtures your baby and how it changes while you are pregnant.

In this pregnancy week by week guide, find out how your baby is growing, how your body is changing and how to look after yourself.

Read more on raisingchildren. From conception to giving birth, a woman's body goes through many physical changes. Learn what happens to your body during pregnancy and labour. Every labour and birth is unique and unpredictable, making it difficult to plan.

It is common for women to feel some level of anxiety during pregnancy; perhaps about their changing body, the health of their baby or concerns about the birth. Read more on ACT Health website. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is not responsible for the content and advertising on the external website you are now entering.

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Some features, tools or interaction may not work correctly. They can occur at any time throughout pregnancy. Real labor contractions can be painful, and the pain tends to intensify. It usually peaks when the muscles tighten and eases when they relax. The location of the pain varies, but real contractions typically cause a dull ache around the abdomen and lower back. In some women, the pain spreads to the sides and thighs.

Labor typically starts with regular, persistent contractions. These cause the cervix to expand in preparation for birth. Contractions can also occur before labor. These are Braxton-Hicks contractions, sometimes known as prodromal, or false, labor. These contractions can begin around 6 weeks into gestation, but they are not usually noticeable until the second or third trimester.

While the trigger for these contractions is unclear, their function is to prepare the body for labor. Braxton-Hicks contractions tend to occur sporadically. They vary in frequency, duration, and intensity, but they usually occur more frequently during later stages of pregnancy.

People often mistake Braxton-Hicks contractions for real labor contractions, especially when they occur in later stages of pregnancy. Here are some key differences between the two:. Learning to tell the difference between types of contraction can help a person know when to contact a doctor. However, consult a doctor if there is any uncertainty. Contractions are likely to be real if they occur in a regular pattern and gradually increase in frequency.

Real contractions also tend to become painful, and the pain often spreads across the abdomen and lower back.