Braxton Hicks Contractions

Braxton Hicks contractions are intermittent contractions of the uterus occuring all through pregnancy, but becomes more obvious as pregnancy progresses.

This well recognised phenomenon was first described by Dr. Braxton John Hicks of Guy’s Hospital London in 1872.

Braxton Hicks contraction has been called false labour contraction or practise labour contraction. It helps the uterus prepare or practise for the real thing during labour.

These contractions are usually not painful but painful Braxton Hicks contractions have been reported. In that case, it would clearly be a cause of abdominal pain during pregnancy.

Braxton Hicks contractions occur in every woman that is pregnant, though not all may be aware of it.

These contractions are usually felt within the last three months of pregnancy, though it could even be as early as the 16th week of pregnancy.

Dehydration, tiredness or straining one’s self could trigger these contractions.

It is also very important to differentiate a Braxton Hicks contraction from false labour.

Signs and Symptoms of Braxton Hicks Contraction

The following are signs and symptoms of Braxton Hicks:

• Braxton Hicks contractions are felt as a tightening on the abdomen. These could be rock solid. When felt with the hand, the hardness could be localised to a part of the uterus. After a few seconds to minutes, the contraction is followed by relaxation

• These contractions could occur as early as the 16th week of pregnancy, but more often after the 20th week

• They present as irregular contractions. This means that there may be no pattern to the manner of contractions. You could have one contraction in every five minutes or every hour. Each contraction could last for a few seconds to minutes. They can keep reoccurring continuously for weeks or months

• The contractions may be significant enough to take your breath away. It could also be felt as a dull ache or even painful. Some expectant mothers have been woken up from their sleep by these contractions

• Braxton Hicks contraction are often felt earlier by expectant mothers who have had previous babies and the pain may be more intense in these mothers

• The pain those not worsen in intensity as labour progresses

Difference between Braxton Hicks Contraction and True Labour

As said above, it is important to differentiate Braxton Hicks contraction from true labour. Failure to do this may lead to premature and or birth of your baby in an unprepared and frightening environment.

True labour is differentiated from Braxton Hicks contraction or false labour by the fact the following:

• Genuine labour contraction starts steadily and gets stronger over time

• The pain starts from the back and spread over to the abdomen

• It is not stopped by change in activity

• True labour contractions are painful, and this even become more painful with time

• In early labour, the contractions could be as frequent as every 15 minutes, and each contractions lasting for 30 – 60 seconds

• There may be a “show”: thick slim mixed with blood from the cervix

As a guide, if you have moderate abdominal pain or contractions of up to 4 episodes in an hour continuously not relieved by changing your activity, it is always safest to call your midwife or doctor, just in case you have gone into lbour.

Tips To Overcome Troublesome Contractions

So you think it’s Braxton Hicks contractions you are experiencing?

Then help yourself to relieving it now. Do the following:

• Get a glass of drink, or make your self a warm drink / tea

• If you where resting when the contractions started, get up and take a brisk walk. On the other hand, if you were working or active when the contraction started, your body may just be telling you that you need to rest now. Yes. Go. Take a rest

• If this does not work, try take a bath or shower

• Some tablets of paracetamol may help.

For those with persistently painful abdominal pain from Braxton Hicks contraction, please see your doctor as soon as possible.


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