What are Braxton Hicks contractions?
Braxton Hicks contractions are mild, irregular contractions of your uterus that typically occur during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Sometimes called “false labor,” they are a normal way that your body prepares to give birth.
Braxton Hicks contractions can be uncomfortable but are not usually painful. They’re also not harmful to you or your baby and don’t require medical treatment. Learning the signs can help you know if what you are experiencing is normal and when to call your doctor.
What do Braxton Hicks contractions feel like?
Braxton Hicks contractions may feel like a tightening sensation or cramps you have during your period; your belly tightens and then relaxes. You usually feel Braxton Hicks contractions in the front of your belly or another specific area.
Braxton Hicks contractions can be uncomfortable and sometimes (but not always) painful. They also usually occur sporadically and go away within a short timeframe, typically when you rest, drink water or change position.
Braxton Hicks vs. real contractions
It’s not always easy to tell the difference between Braxton Hicks and real contractions. Your doctor can distinguish between the two because real contractions cause your cervix to dilate, a sign you’re about to give birth, while Braxton Hicks contractions do not.
Still, certain differences may help you determine if you’re having Braxton Hicks or real contractions.
Braxton Hicks contractions
- Are unpredictable, lasting from a few seconds up to two minutes
- Cause pain or discomfort in a specific area (usually the front) of your belly or lower back
- Do not increase in frequency
- Go away when you rest, drink water or change position
- May start as early as your second trimester
- Occur at irregular intervals and eventually stop
- Tend to be milder, less intense and less regular than true labor contractions
Real labor contractions
- Are strong and regular
- Cause intense pain that makes it difficult to walk or talk
- Do not go away or become less painful when you rest, hydrate or change positions
- Increase in frequency and intensity as you get closer to delivering your baby
- Last 30 to 90 seconds
- May occur with other symptoms, such as blood discharge or your water breaking
- Start in your lower back or belly and radiate toward the front of your belly
- Usually begin in your third trimester or when your due date is getting close
When do Braxton Hicks contractions start?
Braxton Hicks contractions are thought to start as early as the sixth week of pregnancy, but you likely won’t feel them until the second trimester at the earliest. Most women begin to notice them in the third trimester.
Some women do not notice Braxton Hicks contractions at all. These contractions occur during all pregnancies, but you might not be aware of them.
What causes Braxton Hicks contractions?
Although doctors don’t know what causes Braxton Hicks contractions, they’re thought to help your body prepare for pregnancy.
During a Braxton Hicks contraction, muscles tighten and relax, which helps tone your uterus. The contractions may also help improve blood flow. They cause blood to move to the placenta and deliver oxygen-rich blood to your baby.
Some activities may increase your baby’s need for oxygen, which may trigger the contraction. These may include:
- Being dehydrated
- Having a full bladder
- Having sex
- Physical activity
How to relieve Braxton Hicks contractions
Taking time to rest, relax and drink enough fluid is often enough to ease your contractions. You might find they go away if you change your position or activity level.
If you have been very active, lie down for a nap. If you have been sitting for a long time, you might want to move or take a walk. Be mindful of avoiding potential triggers by:
- Being mindful when you have sex: Most women with healthy pregnancies do not need to avoid sex, but if sex causes uncomfortable contractions, you can wait for the discomfort to pass or try relaxation techniques.
- Drinking water: Drinking plenty of fluid (eight to 12 cups per day) will help you stay healthy during pregnancy. Watch for signs of dehydration, such as dark-colored urine, a dry mouth, or feeling dizzy or faint.
- Engaging in light to moderate exercise: Walking and other moderate-intensity activities are usually safe and can help keep you and your baby healthy. Stop if you experience regular contractions, pain, bleeding, dizziness or shortness of breath.
- Urinating regularly: This can reduce pressure on your bladder.
Find specialized maternity care close to home
Whether it’s determining if you are experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions or you’re ready to deliver, the compassionate and dedicated OBGYNs at our specialized maternity centers in North and Central Texas are by your side to guide you as your family grows.
AccentCare - Fort Worth
3880 Hulen St , Fort Worth, TX, 76107
AccentCare Home Health of Brenham
526 W Main St , Brenham, TX, 77833
AccentCare Home Health of College Station
119 Medical Park Lane Ste C, Huntsville, TX, 77340
AccentCare Home Health of College Station
1605 Rock Prairie Rd Ste 206, College Station, TX, 77845
AccentCare Home Health Of Denton
225 W. Mulberry St. Ste A, Denton, TX, 76201
AccentCare Home Health Of Desoto
911 York Drive Ste 203, DeSoto, TX, 75115
AccentCare Home Health Of Fort Worth (Arlington)
700 Highlander Blvd Ste 205, Arlington, TX, 76015
AccentCare Home Health of Huntsville
122 Medical Park Lane B , Huntsville, TX, 77340
AccentCare Home Health of Marble Falls
1100 Mission Hills Dr Ste 100, Marble Falls, TX, 78654
AccentCare Home Health Of McKinney
6800 Weiskopf Ave Ste 100, McKinney, TX, 75070
AccentCare Home Health Of Taylor (Hutto)
567 Chris Kelley Blvd Ste 201, Hutto, TX, 78634
AccentCare Home Health Of Temple
3809 S General Bruce Dr Ste 105B, Temple, TX, 76502
AccentCare Home Health Of Waco
8300 Central Park Dr Ste A, Waco, TX, 76712
AdventHealth Central Texas
2201 S Clear Creek Rd , Killeen, TX, 76549
Andrews Women's Hospital at Baylor Scott & White - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White - Hillcrest Infectious Disease Clinic
50 Hillcrest Medical Blvd MOB1, Ste 104, Waco, TX, 76712
Baylor Scott & White - Plano Brain and Spine Center
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 810, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White - Texas Brain and Spine Institute
900 Scott and White Dr , College Station, TX, 77845
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White - Texas Brain and Spine Institute - Huntsville
122 Medical Park Ln Ste A, Huntsville, TX, 77340
Baylor Scott & White - The Brenham Clinic
600 N Park St , Brenham, TX, 77833
- Monday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White 65+ Clinic
4716 Alliance Blvd Ste 500, Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Cardiac Imaging Specialists
1100 Allied Dr , Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Cardiovascular and Imaging Consultants
4708 Alliance Blvd Ste 450, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Digestive Care
3434 Swiss Ave Ste 200, Dallas, TX, 75204
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart and Lung Disease Center - Fort Worth
1420 8th Ave Ste 103, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Anna
450 N Standridge Blvd , Anna, TX, 75409
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Decatur
2401 S FM 51 Ste 200, Decatur, TX, 76234
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Denton
3333 Colorado Blvd , Denton, TX, 76210
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Idabel, OK
4 SE Avenue A , Idabel, OK, 74745
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Keller (Satellite)
3124 N Tarrant Pkwy Ste 204, Keller, TX, 76177
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - McKinney (Satellite)
5236 W University Dr Ste 4450, McKinney, TX, 75071
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Mt Pleasant (Satellite)
1011 N Jefferson Ave , Mt Pleasant, TX, 75455
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Paris
875 S Collegiate Dr , Paris, TX, 75462
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Plano
4716 Dexter Dr Ste 100, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sherman Sycamore (Satellite)
203 E Sycamore St , Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sulphur Springs
601 Airport Rd Ste 110, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care – Sherman Highland (Satellite)
300 N Highland Ave , Sherman, TX, 75092
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Irving
2001 N MacArthur Blvd Bldg 1, Ste 360, Irving, TX, 75061
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Abilene
1219 E South 11th St Ste B2, Abilene, TX, 79602
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Amarillo
1901 Medi Park Dr Ste 2051, Amarillo, TX, 79106
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Dallas
3410 Worth St Ste 250, Dallas, TX, 75246
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Lubbock
3711 22nd St Ste B, Lubbock, TX, 79410
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Midland/Odessa
420 E 6th St Ste 102, Odessa, TX, 79761
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Waxahachie
2360 N Interstate 35E MOB 2, Ste 310, Waxahachie, TX, 75165
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Specialists - Fort Worth
1250 8th Ave Ste 200, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Lung Disease Specialists - Dallas
3410 Worth St Ste 250, Dallas, TX, 75246
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White Ambulatory Endoscopy Center
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 210, Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
Frequently asked questions
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Do Braxton Hicks contractions hurt?
Braxton Hicks contractions can hurt, but most women find they cause more discomfort than pain. These contractions are often compared to mild period cramps.
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How early can you have Braxton Hicks contractions?
You can have Braxton Hicks contractions as early as the sixth week of your pregnancy, but you probably won’t feel them until your second or third trimesters.
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How frequently do Braxton Hicks contractions occur?Braxton Hicks contractions occur at irregular intervals, unlike real labor contractions. They can come every few minutes, but they can also come and go at unpredictable times.
If you’re concerned you may be having real contractions, write down how often your contractions occur. Real contractions get closer and closer together as your body prepares to give birth. Braxton Hicks contractions do not.
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Are Braxton Hicks contractions normal?
Yes, Braxton Hicks contractions are normal. They occur in all pregnancies, but not all women feel them. They usually become more common as you approach your due date.
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Do Braxton Hicks contractions cause dilation?
No, Braxton Hicks contractions do not cause dilation. Only true labor contractions cause your cervix to dilate.
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Can Braxton Hicks turn into real contractions?
No, Braxton Hicks do not turn into real contractions, but they can occur before you go into labor. Braxton Hicks contractions can come and go, but they don’t cause the cervix to dilate, which occurs when labor starts.
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How long can a Braxton Hicks contraction last?
Braxton Hicks contractions can last from a few seconds to up to two minutes. It can be difficult to predict how long they will last.