HealthPartners - Your guide to pregnancy

Is this really labor? As the end of your pregnancy gets closer, this might become a concern. That’s why it’s important to know the difference between Braxton Hicks contractions and labor contractions.

LABOR AND BIRTH

BRAXTON HICKS CONTRACTIONS Think of Braxton Hicks as “practice” contractions for true labor. They can start as early as your second trimester but are more likely during your third trimester. During Braxton Hicks the muscles of your uterus tighten for about 30-60 seconds, sometimes as long as 2 minutes. Signs that you’re having Braxton Hicks contractions (and not true labor) include: • No thick, bloody mucus from your vagina • Contractions are irregular, not coming closer together • They may stop when you walk, rest, or change position • Any pain is usually only felt in the front • No changes to your cervix

Braxton Hicks contractions can start if you and your baby are very active, someone touches your belly, you need to empty your bladder, you had sex, or you are dehydrated. TIMING CONTRACTIONS One way to determine if you’re having Braxton Hicks or true labor contractions is to record how long each contraction lasts (duration) and how often your contractions are occurring (frequency). This is called timing your contractions. To time your contractions, write down the time from the start of 1 contraction to the start of the next. If you time your contractions and they are evenly spaced, are coming closer together, and don’t go away if you change positions or walk around, then you may be experiencing labor contractions.

PEAK To time your contractions, write down the time from the start of 1 contraction to the start of the next. How to time contractions • Frequency = How far apart your contractions are. FREQUENCY DURATION

Time from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next one. • Duration = How long each contraction lasts. Time from the start of one contraction to the end of the same contraction.

DATE

BEGIN

END

DURATION

FREQUENCY

INTENSITY

8/1

12:00

12:01

1 MIN.

5 MIN.

MODERATE

Your Guide to A Healthy Pregnancy 49