Most pregnant mums experience Braxton Hicks Contractions during their pregnancy. Especially during the first or second trimester. But most mums don’t actually know what Braxton Hicks are or why they feel them. Here answer all your questions on those false labour contractions and more!
What are Braxton Hicks Contractions?
Braxton Hicks Contractions are best described as false labour. Most pregnant mums experience them during their first or second trimester. To put it simply, it is when the womb relaxes and contracts repeatedly. This happens because your body is preparing for actual or true labour. Braxton Hicks are very common, and very normal. Furthermore, it is not considered a sign that true labour is beginning, or anywhere near beginning.
What do they feel like?
Braxton Hicks usually makes you feel simply uncomfortable or like mild menstrual cramps. Some doctors say that most women don’t even feel them. Here are a few things we think you should know about what do Braxton Hicks feel like:
- – Usually, they aren’t painful.
- – They don’t have a regular pattern.
- – The contractions don’t get near to one another.
- – They last less longer as they happen.
- – They come and go as you change positions.
Why do pregnant mums feel them?
There are multiple reasons why mums feel Braxton Hicks. It might be because they are active. Any physical activity can cause them. Like exercise or intercourse. In addition, dehydration plays a big part in causing false labour. That is one of the reasons it is very important to drink water regularly during pregnancy. Finally, you might feel them due to having a full bladder. So make sure you never postpone going to the bathroom.
What triggers Braxton Hicks?
There are many things that can trigger them, such as:
- – Dehydration
- – Nausea
- – Vomiting
- – Baby movement
- – Increased physical activity
- – Sitting position
- – Infection
How different are they from labour contractions?
There are many differences between false labour and true labor which includes:
1| Patterns
True labour contractions are regular and steady. They increase as they happen. While false labour is irregular, and it starts strong but it fades away afterwards.
2| Changing as you move
As we mentioned above, Braxton Hicks can be triggered by how you are sitting. So, changing how you sit can make them go away. However, real labour pains won’t disappear by sitting more comfortably.
3| Pain
It is obvious that you feel more pain during true labour in comparison with false labour. For true labour, the pain might start in your lower back and move to the front of your abdomen. Or it could start in your abdomen and move to your back. On the other hand, false labour pains are concentrated in the front of the belly or pelvis.
4| Length
Length is another significant difference between true and false labour. False labour lasts for 15 to 30 seconds approximately. As for true labour, it lasts about 30 to 70 seconds.
5| Intensity
To sum up, when you go into true labor, the intensity and pain increases with time. But it is the opposite when it comes to false labour, it starts big and fades away almost immediately.
Do they need treatment?
Here are a few tricks to help you with those contractions:
- – Stay hydrated, and drink a lot of water.
- – Take a walk if it happens while you’re resting.
- – Take a nap if you are overly active.
- – A warm bath or a heating pad are always useful.
- – Get a massage.
Are they dangerous?
There is nothing to be alarmed about if you experience them. As we said earlier, they are completely normal and common. Almost every pregnant mum experiences them. However, if you are anxious about feeling, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor to put your mind at ease.
Do I need to visit my doctor?
Our advice for all pregnant mums to keep checking with their doctors every step of the way. They’ll probably give you some heads up about it early in your pregnancy. Having said that, we recommend you call your doctor immediately if you:
- – See vaginal bleeding.
- – Experience unusually fluid leaks.
- – Feel the contractions getting stronger.
- – Have any concerns about baby movement.
- – Feel irregular pain.
