Braxton Hicks vs False Labor Contractions

greeneyed_bride · February 2012

I've been having Braxton Hicks contractions off and on for most of my third trimester, but for the past few days, they've been much more frequent (especially at night). Sometimes, they're accompanied by menstrual-like cramps that increase and then decrease in intensity. I know that this doesn't necessarily mean anything, but I'm wondering what the difference is between BH and false labor contractions? Is there even a difference? I'm a FTM, so I have nothing to compare this to.

LilyPotter218 · February 2012

I was wondering the same thing, asked my OB, and am still not sure... But here is what I got out of him.

They refer to anything that does not change your cervix as BH. Anything that does, is not.

So, frequent, uncomfortable, but not so consistent contractions that DO change the cervix are not BH, but not labor, so I guess this would be "false labor"?

I had what I was calling BH, coming every 6 minutes last week. Went to L&D and was thinning. So, I guess those would be "false labor" since I was not truly IN labor, but my cervix was being changed...

I could be totally wrong

JLG95 · February 2012

Huh? I thought Braxton Hicks are "false labor contractions."

lancyjo · February 2012

LilyPotter218:

I was wondering the same thing, asked my OB, and am still not sure... But here is what I got out of him.

They refer to anything that does not change your cervix as BH. Anything that does, is not.

So, frequent, uncomfortable, but not so consistent contractions that DO change the cervix are not BH, but not labor, so I guess this would be "false labor"?

I had what I was calling BH, coming every 6 minutes last week. Went to L&D and was thinning. So, I guess those would be "false labor" since I was not truly IN labor, but my cervix was being changed...

I could be totally wrong

This is the same explanation I was given by my OB. My first thought, "Oh yes, because I can TOTALLY tell when my cervix is changing! I haven't been able to reach down there to shave decently for weeks... let alone stick my hand up my whoha to check." Indifferent

greeneyed_bride · February 2012

lancyjo:
LilyPotter218:

I was wondering the same thing, asked my OB, and am still not sure... But here is what I got out of him.

They refer to anything that does not change your cervix as BH. Anything that does, is not.

So, frequent, uncomfortable, but not so consistent contractions that DO change the cervix are not BH, but not labor, so I guess this would be "false labor"?

I had what I was calling BH, coming every 6 minutes last week. Went to L&D and was thinning. So, I guess those would be "false labor" since I was not truly IN labor, but my cervix was being changed...

I could be totally wrong

This is the same explanation I was given by my OB. My first thought, "Oh yes, because I can TOTALLY tell when my cervix is changing! I haven't been able to reach down there to shave decently for weeks... let alone stick my hand up my whoha to check."

Bahahaha! Yeah - from that explanation, I guess there's no way for us to tell the difference by ourselves.

NatesLady1309 · February 2012

I've been having basically the same experience lately, but I know that doesn't answer your question. I like the explanation one of the PPs gave.

LilyPotter218 · February 2012

greeneyed_bride:
lancyjo:
LilyPotter218:

I was wondering the same thing, asked my OB, and am still not sure... But here is what I got out of him.

They refer to anything that does not change your cervix as BH. Anything that does, is not.

So, frequent, uncomfortable, but not so consistent contractions that DO change the cervix are not BH, but not labor, so I guess this would be "false labor"?

I had what I was calling BH, coming every 6 minutes last week. Went to L&D and was thinning. So, I guess those would be "false labor" since I was not truly IN labor, but my cervix was being changed...

I could be totally wrong

This is the same explanation I was given by my OB. My first thought, "Oh yes, because I can TOTALLY tell when my cervix is changing! I haven't been able to reach down there to shave decently for weeks... let alone stick my hand up my whoha to check."
Bahahaha! Yeah - from that explanation, I guess there's no way for us to tell the difference by ourselves.

Exactly. I wanted to say "WTF really... that is ALL you've got for this crazy, FTM?"

He did say (sarcastically), "well you could check yourself, but that would be awkward and difficult." No, wiping my own a$$ and tying my own shoes is "awkward and difficult", this sh*t is just confusing.

Jessimurph · February 2012

LilyPotter218:
greeneyed_bride:
lancyjo:
LilyPotter218:

I was wondering the same thing, asked my OB, and am still not sure... But here is what I got out of him.

They refer to anything that does not change your cervix as BH. Anything that does, is not.

So, frequent, uncomfortable, but not so consistent contractions that DO change the cervix are not BH, but not labor, so I guess this would be "false labor"?

I had what I was calling BH, coming every 6 minutes last week. Went to L&D and was thinning. So, I guess those would be "false labor" since I was not truly IN labor, but my cervix was being changed...

I could be totally wrong

This is the same explanation I was given by my OB. My first thought, "Oh yes, because I can TOTALLY tell when my cervix is changing! I haven't been able to reach down there to shave decently for weeks... let alone stick my hand up my whoha to check."
Bahahaha! Yeah - from that explanation, I guess there's no way for us to tell the difference by ourselves.
Exactly. I wanted to say "WTF really... that is ALL you've got for this crazy, FTM?"
He did say (sarcastically), "well you could check yourself, but that would be awkward and difficult." No, wiping my own a$$ and tying my own shoes is "difficult", this sh*t is just confusing.

Hahaha, that is hilarious

Mattel · February 2012

I thought they were the same thing until my appt Tuesday. I have been having BH right along which I really only knew I was having when I felt my belly get hard. Starting Sunday, I'd have painful conractions, sometimes accompanied by menstrual cramps. They were irregular and would not go away when I changed positions or drank water, they just sort of went away when they wanted to. The Dr. explained this was false labor and it was my body's way of transitioning from BH to true labor. To her the fact that they came and went regaradless of what I did and they were painful but that they did go away and were very irregular was how she knew it was false labor.

vszapp · February 2012

Mattel:
I thought they were the same thing until my appt Tuesday. I have been having BH right along which I really only knew I was having when I felt my belly get hard. Starting Sunday, I'd have painful conractions, sometimes accompanied by menstrual cramps. They were irregular and would not go away when I changed positions or drank water, they just sort of went away when they wanted to. The Dr. explained this was false labor and it was my body's way of transitioning from BH to true labor. To her the fact that they came and went regaradless of what I did and they were painful but that they did go away and were very irregular was how she knew it was false labor.

This is me too. I have gone from BH (no pain, no crampy feeling) to feeling like I constantly need to run and grab a tampon. Nothing major, just noticeable. I haven't talked to my MW about it yet, but last time she basically said almost anything goes at this point and that I only need to call if I think I'm in true labor. I wonder if any of this means that we ladies with lots of contractions and cramping will go on the early side??

SeptemberBride'08 · February 2012

vszapp:
Mattel:
I thought they were the same thing until my appt Tuesday. I have been having BH right along which I really only knew I was having when I felt my belly get hard. Starting Sunday, I'd have painful conractions, sometimes accompanied by menstrual cramps. They were irregular and would not go away when I changed positions or drank water, they just sort of went away when they wanted to. The Dr. explained this was false labor and it was my body's way of transitioning from BH to true labor. To her the fact that they came and went regaradless of what I did and they were painful but that they did go away and were very irregular was how she knew it was false labor.
This is me too. I have gone from BH (no pain, no crampy feeling) to feeling like I constantly need to run and grab a tampon. Nothing major, just noticeable. I haven't talked to my MW about it yet, but last time she basically said almost anything goes at this point and that I only need to call if I think I'm in true labor. I wonder if any of this means that we ladies with lots of contractions and cramping will go on the early side??

Ive been having these for weeks and I'm not early. Don't get your hopes up on going early.

colinemma · February 2012

I have been having real but non labor contractions for a few weeks off and on & more often in the evening. You can actually SEE the difference in you belly. Mine "hug" all around baby & the shape of my belly changes.

NaomiMK · February 2012

I think last week I had a bunch that were not BH, but false labour.. the difference was they were painful, and I had to take a bath to slow them down. My BH are usually just tight, they don't hurt at all, and I never consider needing to stop or slow down so they will.

Here is what my info booklet says about signs true labour may be starting:

"Early labour may take 24-48 hours to become 'active labour'. This time often involves periods of contractions that can become regular for a while, then will go away for a while. a hot bath or a good walk may resolve these prelabour contractions. They are your bodies way of preparing for active labour and may come and go over several days. Some contractions may feel quite strong but if they do not get longer and stronger in a regular pattern, you are not in true labour. Do not wear yourself out in early labour. Be patient and do not be anxious. Babies need active, well established labour contractions to come out."

So what my midwives always emphasize to me is that any contractions, no matter how they feel, that are less than 45 seconds long, and more than 5 minutes apart, are not true active labour and will not get your baby out very quickly. We are always encouraged to rest, and relax at home and not even bother calling until we hit that "5-1-1" rule (5 mins apart for 1 min each for 1 hour or more) unless of course there is bleeding, or water breaking or something like that.

Hope that's helpful

Breezy through life · February 2012

SeptemberBride'08:
vszapp:
Mattel:
I thought they were the same thing until my appt Tuesday. I have been having BH right along which I really only knew I was having when I felt my belly get hard. Starting Sunday, I'd have painful conractions, sometimes accompanied by menstrual cramps. They were irregular and would not go away when I changed positions or drank water, they just sort of went away when they wanted to. The Dr. explained this was false labor and it was my body's way of transitioning from BH to true labor. To her the fact that they came and went regaradless of what I did and they were painful but that they did go away and were very irregular was how she knew it was false labor.
This is me too. I have gone from BH (no pain, no crampy feeling) to feeling like I constantly need to run and grab a tampon. Nothing major, just noticeable. I haven't talked to my MW about it yet, but last time she basically said almost anything goes at this point and that I only need to call if I think I'm in true labor. I wonder if any of this means that we ladies with lots of contractions and cramping will go on the early side??
Ive been having these for weeks and I'm not early. Don't get your hopes up on going early.

This exactly. I've been having them since I was 39 weeks exactly. Its no fun and really rather frustrating.

Edit: Because obviously I don't know my buttons tonight, oops.

soralette · February 2012

Dunno if it helps, but I had a couple of those menstrual-crampy ones last night. Mentioned 'em to my OB at my appointment today, and she was delighted -- said that they were likely to have to do with the 1cm further I'm dilated this week from last.

efortune · February 2012

My "BH" dilated me to a 4 with my second daughter. They kept telling me the stabbing pains in my cervix and tightening of my stomach were BH. I ended up going into active labor at 36 weeks and was admitted at a 5, but up until that point didn't experience any "painful" contractions.

It's so hard to say what they will feel like for you, and every pregnancy is different. It's really too bad labor isn't more textbook!

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