Braxton Hicks or real labour? How to tell

What Braxton Hicks are

Braxton Hicks are tightenings of your womb that come and go. They are sometimes called practice contractions or false labour. They are one of the ways your body gets ready for birth.²

Unlike labour contractions, they do not open your cervix, the entrance to your womb. So even when they feel strong, they are not a sign that labour has started.²

Not everyone notices them, and that is fine too. If you do, it is most often in the second or third trimester.²

What they feel like

Many people describe a tightening across the bump, a bit like mild period cramps. Your bump may feel hard for a minute or two, then soften again.²

They can be uncomfortable, but they are usually not painful. They do not last long, they do not come often and they do not build up.¹²

Near your due date they can feel stronger or come more often. That is why it can be hard to tell them apart from the start of labour.²

What sets them off

Nobody knows exactly why they happen. Being very active, a full bladder, sex and not drinking enough can all bring them on.²

Experts think they help tone the muscles of your womb, ready for labour.²

What helps

Change what you are doing. If you have been on your feet a lot, lie down. If you have been sitting for a long time, go for a gentle walk.²

A warm bath, a nap, slow breathing and a glass of water can all help them settle.²

How real labour is different

Labour contractions come at regular times and get longer, stronger and closer together. They do not ease when you rest or change position.¹²

Labour often starts slowly. This early part, called the latent phase, can take hours or even days, and you will usually be advised to stay at home for it.¹³

Other signs that labour may be starting are a show (a plug of pink, sticky mucus coming away), backache, needing the toilet a lot, and your waters breaking.¹

Your midwife will usually suggest you call when contractions come about every 5 minutes or more often.¹

If labour does start

At the start of labour your cervix softens and opens. This latent phase is usually the longest part and can take many hours, sometimes days.³

During the day, stay upright and gently active. At night, rest and sleep if you can. Eat and drink, because you will need energy later.³

Breathing, a back rub, a warm bath or shower and paracetamol (taken as the packet says) can ease early contractions.¹³

Before 37 weeks

Labour before 37 weeks is called premature labour. About 8 in 100 babies are born early.⁴

If you are less than 37 weeks and have regular tightenings, period-type pains, unusual backache or a trickle of fluid, call your maternity unit. They can check whether labour is starting.⁴

When tummy pain is something else

Mild pain that goes away when you rest, change position or go to the toilet is usually nothing to worry about.⁵

Pain that is strong, or does not go away after 30 to 60 minutes of rest, needs a call to your maternity unit straight away. The same goes for pain with bleeding, fluid leaking or pain when you pee.⁵