Braxton Hicks Contractions: What They Feel Like and How to Deal With Them
Wondering if you’re experiencing Braxton Hicks or real contractions? Here's how to tell the difference.
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If you’ve ever noticed your pregnant belly suddenly become rock hard sometime in your second or third trimester, you might be experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions. And depsite what their name implies, they’re not actual contractions and don’t necessarily feel like the real deal either. But they can be tricky for first time parents to navigate (since, you know, you’re not yet sure what the real deal feels like). We’re here to help demystify what these false contractions are, what they feel like, how to manage them and how to tell it’s actually time to head to the hospital or call your midwife.
What are Braxton Hicks contractions?
Braxton Hicks contractions are the tightening of your uterus any time before you’re actually in labor. Think of them as training for the main event. Sometimes known as false labor, Braxton Hicks contractions trick many people into heading to the hospital thinking that baby’s on their way when they actually aren’t.
“A lot of doctors will refer to Braxton Hicks as ‘false labor’ but I prefer to call it ‘pre labor’ because it can be so invalidating to tell someone [what] they’re experiencing is pointless,” says Al Bradlea, Dona-certified doula and lactation consultant. “There is a point to them! They’re preparing the body for labor.”
These practice contractions get their name from John Braxton Hicks, the doctor who first documented them in 1872.
What causes Braxton Hicks contractions?
The good news is, Braxton Hicks don’t happen just to fool you. They’re your body’s way of preparing for the actual contractions of labor. They’re considered a normal part of pregnancy (though not everyone will experience them), and while it’s not clear exactly what causes Braxton Hicks contractions, the Cleveland Clinic outlines some things that might bring them on:
Dehydration: Drink up! When muscles are dehydrated, they can cramp up—and that includes the uterus. Dehydration can also increase the risk of preterm labor, so it’s a good idea to drink a lot of water during your pregnancy.
Overexertion: Gentle exercise like swimming, walking and prenatal yoga can be great to do during pregnancy. But overexertion can bring these on, too. If you notice them happening while getting some movement in, take a break and rest until they subside.
Sex: Many people notice sex can trigger Braxton Hicks, especially the further along in pregnancy they get. You might notice your belly tighten up after having an orgasm, too.
Full bladder: In some cases, a full bladder can trigger Braxton Hicks contractions. Be sure to pee when you need to go!
A UTI: As if the pain and discomfort of a urinary tract infection aren’t enough, it can bring on Braxton Hicks contractions as well. They should go away after treatment of the UTI. Be sure to reach out to your doctor if you have burning when you pee or an urgent need to go.
Birth prep: According to the National Library of Medicine, some experts believe Braxton Hicks contractions late in pregnancy help the cervix (baby’s entryway into the outside world) start to soften and dilate to get ready for baby’s debut.
What do Braxton Hicks contractions feel like?
Braxton Hicks contractions can feel different for everyone and they also strike at various times. Many parents report noticing their belly getting really tight—think rock hard—without much sensation. Though they’re generally considered more uncomfortable than painful, some do say they found them painful—there really is a big range of sensation.
Pregnant people who have had a baby before tend to notice Braxton Hicks contractions more than first-time parents do.
When do Braxton Hicks contractions start?
Braxton Hicks contractions can start pretty early in pregnancy—but you probably won’t feel them until you're at least 20 weeks pregnant. They’ll likely become more noticeable in the third trimester and will continue until the end of pregnancy. Bradlea acknowledges that feeling Braxton Hicks contractions can make you think labor is right around the corner, but that's not necessarily the case. “They can last for weeks before giving birth," she says.
Wondering how long Braxton Hicks contractions last? Usually just 30 to 60 seconds, but they’ve also been known to last as long as two minutes.
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How can you tell the difference between Braxton Hicks and real contractions?
The biggest question when it comes to Braxton Hicks contractions is: how do you know you’re not in labor? The biggest difference between these false contractions and the real deal is that Braxton Hicks go away. Braxton Hicks contractions are random, intermittent and they’ll generally ease up after a few minutes or if you move positions, go to the bathroom or drink a glass of water. Bradlea says Braxton Hicks are often called "practice contractions" since they're not actually causing the cervix to dilate.
Real labor contractions will:
Become regular, start to occur more often and become more intense with time (a contraction timer app can be useful for timing them)—think: stronger, longer and closer together
Continue no matter what you do
Be more uncomfortable or painful than Braxton Hicks contractions
Cause the cervix to dilate and efface
Other clues your Braxton Hicks might actually be the real deal (and you're probably in labor) include:
You notice your bloody show—a blood-tinged discharge made up of blood vessels that come from the cervix when it starts to dilate
You lose your mucus plug
Your water breaks
Contractions paired with any of these signs of labor mean it's likely showtime. But you should call your doctor anytime you’re unsure. “When in doubt, call your care team,” Bradlea says.
How do you relieve Braxton Hicks contractions?
Braxton Hicks contractions can range from a little annoying to super uncomfortable to even a bit painful for some. There are some things you can do that can help relieve the discomfort (and maybe even stop them).
Change positions: Simply getting up or sitting down can make Braxton Hicks go away.
Drink water: Since dehydration can bring on Braxton Hicks contractions, you may just need to drink some water to get some relief. Doctors recommend at least eight glasses per day during pregnancy.
Rest: If you’ve been overexerting yourself, take a breather. That may be all you need to stop the contractions.
Breathing and relaxation techniques: Did you learn any pain management techniques in your childbirth class? Try them while you’re having a Braxton Hicks contraction. This might not stop the contractions, but it can help with the uncomfortable sensations—and give you practice in using those methods before the big event.
If you try all this, and your contractions don’t stop, or you suspect you might be experiencing the real labor deal, call your healthcare provider right away.
