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Braxton Hicks contractions can occur far before labor actually begins, though sometimes they might occur shortly before a woman goes into labor. The first "true" labor sensations can be anything from crampiness to "full blown" contractions to losing one's mucous plug to having bloody show to experiencing loose stool or to feeling one's water break.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoIt can be, but it is no guarantee. If you are having more than 4 or 5 Braxton Hicks contractions an hour before you reach 37 weeks in your pregnancy, you'll want to call your care provider to make sure that you aren't in preterm labor.
Frequent Braxton Hicks contractions can also be a sign that you are dehydrated. If you are experiencing many of them, you can always try propping up your feet and drinking lots of water.
No matter what the case, know that even if they aren't "real" labor yet, they can still be doing some preliminary work to get your body ready for labor. Your cervix might even be dilating and effacing a bit during these contractions. (That's why it's so important to call your care provider if you are experiencing them frequently before you hit full term!)
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoFalse
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At how many weeks can you start having false labor?
False labor, or Braxton-Hicks contractions usually occur in the 2 weeks prior to real labor, especially with the first childbirth.
If you had such strong braxton hicks contractions last night that you thought it was the real thing does that mean real labor is close?
No, braxton hicks just help your uterus prepare but it does not mean you are close to delivery trust me I have been there too sweetie.
Does either braxton hicks or real contractions cause you to dialate or are they not related?
Sometimes they can lead to some cervical change (including dilation, softening of the cervix, etc.). This is why it's important to call your care provider if you are having lots of Braxton Hicks contractions before you reach "full term" (or 37 weeks). On the other hand, even if your Braxton Hicks contractions are dilating your cervix, they might still be helping to rotate your baby into an optimal position for labor or even toning your uterus in preparation for labor. So even the contractions that aren't "real labor" are still doing something!
Your daughter had Braxton Hicks contactions the other night but they were painful is this unusual should she call her doctor?
No, it's not unusual. Braxton Hicks are normally quite painful no they are not usually painful! they are normally just uncomfortable. its the real contractions that start to hurt. occasionally i believe braxton hicks can cause very minor pain, but mostlythey are just tight and uncomfortable and sometimes feels like period cramps.
What if you dont have Braxton-Hicks contraction by 37 weeks?
Then you're lucky I suppose. Not every woman experiences them, and almost all women experience them differently when they do occur. Some aren't bothered by them in the slightest whereas others are in serious discomfort because of them. They can start as early as 16 weeks, or as late as right before labor. I'm in my 4th pregnancy now and have had them begin at different times (and with different frequencies and intensities) for every pregnancy. All I know is that when real labor finally began, there was no mistaking it for Braxton Hicks!
How soon can you be having braxton hicks contractions?
your uterus actually contracts starting arounf 8 weeks. but you dont feel them til later on. With my experience with my twin pregnancy, i started really feeling them around 20 weeks. And now at almost 29 weeks, theyre pretty intense!
What are fake contractions called?
There are no "fake contractions," except when women pretend to be in labor. There is false labor, which is contractions (usually mild and irregular) which do not change the cervix. (Labor is defined as progressive change--dilation and effacement--of the cervix.) Braxton Hicks contractions are real contractions, but very irregular. They can occur any time after 32 weeks of pregnancy, and are usually no more than 2 to 3 an hour.
36 weeks pregnant with 2nd child - bad braxton hicks some that feel like labor pains - midwife says the babys head is real low - should I expect to go into labor soon?
I am 40 weeks pregnant with my 2nd baby and experience strong braxton hicks for about 4 weeks. The babys head is on zero since 3 weeks and i dilated to 3 cm about 2 weeks ago, and i am still waiting. If you still have your mucus plug I would guess you have another 2 - 3 weeks... but who knows, the little treasures come when they are ready and not us! Good luck and hang in there
Is contraction normal in an ongoing 7 months pregnant woman?
She would only get contractions if she was going into labour early. She might experience Braxton Hicks contractions which are the body's way of preparing for labour. They are not real contractions but many people mistake them for real contractions and think they are going into labour. If they get worse and worse and begin coming regularly, it is important to go to the hospital straightaway
The truth abbout braxton hicks?
Braxton Hicks Contractions are false contractions. They can be painful or you may not feel them at all. Your stomach muscles contract and will fill like your stomach is getting tight then they will release. Your stomach will feel hard during one. You can get them all the way through pregnancy but probably won't feel them until later in your pregnancy. They don't mean you're in labor but if you get one and they feel really painful I would call the doctor just to be safe. In late pregnancy they can become very close together and very painful and feel like the real thing. They can even thin your cervix. When this happens it's called false labor. If you have close painful contractions and think your in labor go to the hospital to be sure.
What are Braxton Hicks contractions?
contractions or false laborEveryone is different, because of how everyone deals with pain, so there isn't any steadfast rule. My own personal experience...It felt like tightening up your fist and then releasing it, but it was your stomach muscles obviously, not your fist. That's what I felt. Braxton Hicks are not painful, but they do feel like the person above said. Or perhaps if you put your hand on your man's bicep as he tightens it. They gradually become more co-ordinated and uncomfortable and morph into labor contractions.What they felt like to me, was a very painful period. O couldn't get past the pain and nervousness to feel any abdominal tightening or anything like that, but everyone is different....I am 27 weeks now and experienced my first Braxton Hicks contraction last night. I really freaked out because I didnt know what was happening. I thought i was going into premature labor or worse... But then the pain went away as suddenly as it started. First thing in the morning i called my doctor and he assured me that all was well. SO if you experience something that feels like you are having a very painful period and there are no signs of blood or watery discharge then you are probably having one of these lovely "dress rehearsals" for labor...ENJOY!Everyone feels things differently, but for me when I had Braxton Hicks contractions, by belly tightened and went rock hard for about 30 seconds and felt quite uncomfortable, then stopped, this would happen for ten minutes or so and then stop. I started noticing them from about the 20th week of my pregnancy right up until I had my baby. They are uncomfortable, but it's good to know everything is working as it should be!
Been having a lot of mild contractions 38 weeks pregnant is labor soon?
What you are experiencing is called Braxton-Hicks contractions. It is perfectly normal. It is the body's way of "practicing" for the real thing. As long as there is no constant pressure on the floor of the pelvis or discharge of blood or liquid, the mild contractions you are feeling is not a threat. Your baby will be born when he or she is ready. The B-H contractions do not mean labor will begin any sooner than is proper.
