Sound the Alarm! Oh Wait, it’s just Braxton Hicks…

<p>Being on high alert for signs that the baby is coming is part and parcel of being pregnant. Sometimes, however, you can get a false alarm.</p> <p>Braxton Hicks contractions (BHC) are more like practice contractions rather than the real thing. These false labor pains do not mean that actual labor has started; rather, they are a sign that your body is preparing for the big day.</p> <p>Descriptions of these contractions differ, but many women feel a periodic tightening sensation in the belly, while some compare them to menstrual cramps. Either way, the most important thing to remember is that they don’t trigger labor, nor do they open your cervix.</p> <p>What’s going on here is a dress rehearsal for your uterine muscles: they are flexing as practice for the major job that lies ahead. If you’re unsure whether what you’re experiencing is BHC or the real deal, contact your doctor. They can tell via a vaginal exam: if there are no indications that your cervix is changing, actual labor has not begun yet. </p> <h2>What are Braxton Hicks contractions like?</h2> <p>You can tell your contractions are of the Braxton Hicks variety if they <strong>come irregularly, </strong>lasting for maybe half a minute; they’re <strong>uncomfortable (usually without pain); </strong>and the <strong>discomfort eases over time</strong>.</p> <p>These are good signs you’re dealing with BHC.</p> <p>BHC can start early on in the pregnancy but might not become noticeable until the second trimester. A change of position can trigger them, and they may stop with rest. You can usually go about your day as normal during BHC; some women don’t feel them at all.</p> <p>BHC are felt in the <strong>front of the abdomen</strong>, not in the back or lower uterus. They tend to be fixed in one area.</p> <figure> <figure><img alt="Braxton Hicks contractions (BHC) are felt in the front of the abdomen | Source: Pexels/Wikimedia" src="https://cdn.storymd.com/optimized/ZoBbKBTvoM/thumbnail.jpg" /> <figcaption>Braxton Hicks contractions (BHC) are felt in the front of the abdomen. <em>Source: Pexels/Wikimedia</em></figcaption> </figure> </figure> <p>Contrast this with signs of actual labor contractions:</p> <ul> <li>They hurt and last roughly 60 seconds each</li> <li>The intervals between them become shorter and shorter</li> <li>The contractions become stronger and progressively last longer</li> <li>They don’t stop</li> <li>Talking and walking become difficult</li> </ul> <h2>What triggers BHC and how can I stop them?</h2> <p>The main cause of BHC is dehydration, even a small amount. With a busy life from work to baby prep, it’s easy to get distracted enough that you forget to keep hydrated. For similar reasons, they pop up when you’re sick with a cold or flu that’s accompanied by vomiting/nausea, as these are connected to dehydration.</p> <p>The baby shifting around (fetal movement) or your own activity can trigger BHC as well. Some women report a sharp kick from the baby just before the contractions start. Sex, lifting things, and moving around a lot without breaks may trigger BHC (it’s not for nothing that pregnant women are told to get plenty of rest).</p> <p>However, moving around can also help to alleviate the symptoms of BHC. If yours started when sitting down, changing your position by getting up and walking could take things down a notch.</p> <figure> <figure><img alt="Drink water to stay hydrated | Source: Engin_Akyurt/Pixabay" src="https://cdn.storymd.com/optimized/Ro6KpxtXdx/thumbnail.jpg" /> <figcaption>Drink water to stay hydrated. <em>Source: Engin_Akyurt/Pixabay</em></figcaption> </figure> </figure> <h2>I’m experiencing pain in the side of my abdomen. What is it?</h2> <p>Round ligament pain is a common pregnancy side effect characterized by sharp, shooting pains in the side of your abdomen. Sudden movements like coughing, sneezing, or getting out of bed too quickly may trigger it.</p> <p>The pain typically only lasts a short time. To relieve it, change your activity or position, e.g., lie on the opposite side, move more slowly when getting up, and try resting.</p> <h2>What if I go to the hospital but it turns out I’m not actually in labor?</h2> <p>False alarms are such a normal part of pregnancy that they’re made fun of in movies; they’re to be expected. Every woman’s experience of pregnancy is different, and sometimes labor can happen spontaneously.</p> <p>Don’t be afraid to call your doctor if you’re confused about the contractions you’re experiencing. Preterm labor is not something you want to risk, so if you have signs of labor before 37 weeks (for example, vaginal spotting), definitely get in touch with your team. </p> <p>If it turns out to be a false alarm, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Consider it a practice run for the real deal.</p> <h2>More on Braxton Hicks Contractions</h2><ul><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/4m8gyz6spw-labor-and-delivery" target="_blank">Labor and Delivery: The Process of Having a Baby</a></li><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/wxbn998czj-inducing-labor" target="_blank">Inducing Labor to Stimulate Childbirth</a></li><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/yj5dd7ninm-preterm-labor-and-birth" target="_blank">Preterm (Early) Labor and Birth: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention</a></li></ul>