Braxton hicks vs real contractions

Christine - posted on 04/10/2012

This is my 3rd pregnancy and I have been having BH for a few months now. I also had the prelabor test done back in February because it felt like I was having the same contractions as I did when I gave birth to my 2nd son. The doctor also told me that BH ARE contractions. It seems like you hear everyone say that they are not, but I did feel better hearing the doctor confirm that YES they are real contractions. They just are signs that you body is getting ready. My BH have gotten more frequent and intense but nothing with enough BANG to get the party started. I am due May 3rd. Make sure you drink lots of water and walk around to alleviate the pain. Good luck!

Erin - posted on 04/04/2012

They don't sound like real contractions to me. I have had heaps of braxton hicks contractions too with all 3 pregnancies and it always felt like I was being fobbed off when people said 'you'll know when they're real' but it turned out to be true. Real contractions feel like intense period pain and start low, not up in your belly like braxton hicks do. So saying, keep an eye on things and if you feel worried ask an expert, so much better to be annoying than to miss something.

The good thing about braxton hicks is that your body is preparing for labour and is pretty good at it by the time it does come round. Both my labours have been fairly short (hopefully the same will happen this time round!) and I was awesome at relaxing through the contractions because I had had so much practise with the false contractions!!

Janyn - posted on 02/23/2010

I believe the doctors consider any contractions that you have that are not hard enough to dialate you braxton hicks contractions. The doctor told me anytime I have contrations hard enough to make it hard to stand and that are 5-7 minutes apart and stay steady for at least 30 minutes to go see him, if he is in the office, or go to the ob department at the hospital. I had to go to the ob department once a week for 6 weeks to have them stop the contractions because they were not hard enough to dialate me. He probably told you they were braxton hicks not real contractions because they were not dialating you.

Sara - posted on 02/23/2010

I'm there with ya! my dd is 3/3 and I've had some pretty serious steady BH for the past month. I've already been in twice with false labor.
This is my 3rd kid and these contractions are what I remember going to the hosp for with my last kid (who came out in 3 hours) I count out the contractions, check the timing and b/c this is what L&D at my hospital keeps telling me drink a bottle (16.9oz of water) and lay down count the contractions as they come, if they get closer together or harder call again, if they go away then you have braxton hicks, the other thing they've been telling me, b/c the most intense contractions for me seem to happen at night is to take a Tylenol PM and try going to bed, if they're real contractions they will remain intense. Hang in there I know it's frustrating to have strong consistent Braxton Hicks.

Nicole - posted on 02/22/2010

if they go away from walking or a short time they are braxtons. contractions to be worried about is if they do not subside after a few minutes with a few minutes in between. i have gotten the "its nrmal " response too i went it to the hospital cause my stomach was so hard and it wouldnt stop hurting and i was in alot of pain. doctor told me i wasnt contracting and that its just a normal pain but had no explanation. and that i should come back when the ability to talk to another person due to pain becomes difficult.

i have a low tolerance for pain so i can imagine if that was a braxton hicks expirence then that i would probably be on the floor doubled over in pain from a real one.

Ashley - posted on 02/15/2010

call a doctor.there real...

Chevonne - posted on 02/15/2010

I have been having Braxton Hicks since I can remember. I am now 33 wks and I get about 50 Braxton Hicks per day and yes some are very intense. I even notice that a few are more painful and start in my back and feel like menstrual cramps which to me is the real thing. I am tired of telling the doctor and calling the ER because they say its normal to have Braxton Hicks and to see if they are becoming regular. I think if you feel those types of contractions and it is not regular then its nothing. Call the doctor if you want or go to the ER to get poked with IV which will make you feel better. You can also drink water at home and that will work too and take a warm shower. Works for me.

Keera - posted on 02/15/2010

I called my dr this morning and they said not to worry about it unless they get stronger, have 6 in a hr, or a few other things. But they are going to check everything again when I go in on the 26th.

Thanks everyone!

Amanda - posted on 02/15/2010

I've been having braxton hicks since 13 weeks(am currently 23.5 weeks). In the last month I have started getting actual contractions everyday, not alot, but usually at least one. I have talked to my midwife about this and they say it's normal to have braxton hicks contractions, it's just the body getting more ready for the real contractions. Good luck!

Keera - posted on 02/14/2010

Every time I've aked him something he wont give me a full answer, it's usually "thats normal".."dont worry about it"... He keeps telling me everything I'm feeling is braxton hicks not real contractions but in this case I say he is wrong [he going by what the test said and is not considering that little chance the tests are wrong]

Megan - posted on 02/14/2010

You should call with any and all concerns that you have. Keep track of the contractions that you think you are having, time them and how much time is between them. I have read that it can sometimes be normal to have contractions as long as you aren't having more than 4 in an hour.



But always call your doctor and you can ask about braxton hicks vs real contractions, that's what they are there for.

Janyn - posted on 02/23/2010

I believe the doctors consider any contractions that you have that are not hard enough to dialate you braxton hicks contractions. The doctor told me anytime I have contrations hard enough to make it hard to stand and that are 5-7 minutes apart and stay steady for at least 30 minutes to go see him, if he is in the office, or go to the ob department at the hospital. I had to go to the ob department once a week for 6 weeks to have them stop the contractions because they were not hard enough to dialate me. He probably told you they were braxton hicks not real contractions because they were not dialating you.

Chevonne - posted on 02/15/2010

I have been having Braxton Hicks since I can remember. I am now 33 wks and I get about 50 Braxton Hicks per day and yes some are very intense. I even notice that a few are more painful and start in my back and feel like menstrual cramps which to me is the real thing. I am tired of telling the doctor and calling the ER because they say its normal to have Braxton Hicks and to see if they are becoming regular. I think if you feel those types of contractions and it is not regular then its nothing. Call the doctor if you want or go to the ER to get poked with IV which will make you feel better. You can also drink water at home and that will work too and take a warm shower. Works for me.

Amanda - posted on 02/15/2010

I've been having braxton hicks since 13 weeks(am currently 23.5 weeks). In the last month I have started getting actual contractions everyday, not alot, but usually at least one. I have talked to my midwife about this and they say it's normal to have braxton hicks contractions, it's just the body getting more ready for the real contractions. Good luck!

Keera - posted on 02/14/2010

Every time I've aked him something he wont give me a full answer, it's usually "thats normal".."dont worry about it"... He keeps telling me everything I'm feeling is braxton hicks not real contractions but in this case I say he is wrong [he going by what the test said and is not considering that little chance the tests are wrong]

Megan - posted on 02/14/2010

You should call with any and all concerns that you have. Keep track of the contractions that you think you are having, time them and how much time is between them. I have read that it can sometimes be normal to have contractions as long as you aren't having more than 4 in an hour.



But always call your doctor and you can ask about braxton hicks vs real contractions, that's what they are there for.