So you’re having contractions in your eighth month of pregnancy? Don’t panic quiet yet. Sometimes called false labor, Braxton Hicks contractions are toning contractions of the uterus that are not actually a sign that your body has gone into labor and your cervix is dilating.
Rather, Braxton Hicks contractions can happen to any expectant mom anytime during the second half of pregnancy. Here are five ways to help you determine if your contractions are true or false labor:
- They go away: If you can sit down, take a bath, drink a warm cup of tea or any other change in position that causes your contractions to subside, you’re likely dealing with Braxton hicks contractions.
- You aren’t having any other labor signs: If your water hasn’t broken, if you don’t have suddenly loose stools, a brownish discharge or other early signs of labor, then you’re likely just having those Braxton Hicks contractions.
- They’re irregular in timing: True labor contractions usually occur in timed intervals, while toning contractions will occur irregularly.
- They’re consistent in intensity: True labor contractions increase in intensity as time goes on, while toning contractions remain the same.
- They occur in a pattern: You may find you have Braxton Hicks contractions every day after you exercise or whenever you have sex. Pay attention and you may find a pattern that spurs these contractions.
Braxton Hicks contractions can be alarming for some, pesky for others. The more you know about these “false labor” contractions, though, the better you’ll be able to deal with them. Of course, if you’re ever unsure, always call your obstetrician or midwife right away.