Braxton Hicks contractions: how to tell them apart from real labor?
Irregular and often painless, Braxton Hicks contractions prepare the uterus without signaling labor — here's how to recognize them.
Braxton Hicks contractions are brief tightenings of the uterus that can start as early as the second trimester, though they're most often noticed in the third. They're sometimes described as a squeezing or hardening of the belly that lasts anywhere from a few seconds to about a minute.
Unlike true labor contractions, they're irregular in frequency and intensity, don't gradually get closer together or stronger, and often ease up with a change in position, rest, or good hydration. Dehydration and physical activity can actually trigger them more easily.
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True labor contractions, on the other hand, follow a regular, progressively intensifying rhythm, don't stop with rest or a change in position, and are often accompanied by other signs like losing the mucus plug or increasing pelvic pressure.
If you're not sure what you're feeling, timing the frequency and length of contractions over an hour can help clarify things. When in doubt — especially before 37 weeks, or if contractions become painful and regular — contact your healthcare provider; it's always better to check than to wait it out unnecessarily.
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This information is general and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional (doctor, midwife, nurse, pharmacist). Every situation is unique: always check with them before making a decision. In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency services.
