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As you get closer to your due date, your body actively prepares for childbirth. One of the ways it does this is with Braxton-Hicks contractions, which are meant to help you practice for when you actually go into labor. These may start as early as week 20 of your pregnancy. Some women never experience them and this is normal too.
During a contraction, your uterine muscles tighten up and then relax. You may feel this tightening in your abdomen. The difference between a regular contraction and a Braxton-Hicks contraction, is that Braxton-Hicks won’t cause cervical opening or thinning like real labor contractions do. Dehydration is a common trigger for Braxton-Hicks contractions.
It’s important to know the difference between Braxton-Hicks and real labor contractions. In general, Braxton-Hicks contractions:
- Don’t become more intense over time
- May go away if you change positions
- May go away with hydration
- Occur irregularly and may be short or long, weak or strong
In contrast, real contractions:
- Are regular and come close together
- Get longer and stronger as time goes on
- May cause pain in your back or lower belly
- Won’t go away if you shift your position or hydrate
It’s also important to understand the signs of preterm labor, which is when you go into labor before you reach week 37 of pregnancy (full term). If this happens to you, your baby could be at higher risk for certain complications. Here are the signs to watch out for:
- Contractions occurring 4 or more times during one hour
- Dull backache that won’t go away if you move or change positions
- Increased vaginal discharge that may be heavy, watery, bloody, or mucus-like
- Intestinal cramping or flu-like symptoms
- Menstrual-like cramps which may stay constant or come and go over time. These may be accompanied by indigestion, diarrhea or nausea
- Pelvic pain or pressure that comes and goes in a predictable pattern in your back, lower abdomen and thighs
- Rupture of the amniotic sac, which is also known as when your water breaks
If you have signs of preterm labor, please call for advice from your care team right away.