Braxton Hicks contractions v. real labor contractions

JoJoMama730 · September 2015

In my post thread, a few people asked what the difference is between real labor contractions and BH contractions. Thought I'd start a new thread so the more experienced moms can chime in. I think the answer to this question is a very personal thing, and will vary widely, but who knows.

CBWifey · September 2015

For me, the Braxton Hicks were never painful, they were just gentle firming of the belly and squeeze like sensations of the uterus. Actual early labor felt completely different, it felt like the day before you get your period, light menstral cramping, that effects your back, and it increases in frequency and strength. I feel much more prepared for this upcoming session now that I know the difference for me. I had not rested or prepared to be in labor last time thinking that was just Braxton Hicks, which left me exhausted after labor, which was a total of 24 hours.

leap_frog · September 2015

BH will go away if you lay down and drink water. They are also painless. and by painless I mean you will be able to walk and talk through them.

Whenever I get extreme amounts of BHs, it usually means I an infection (yeast, bacterial, urinary) that I have zero other symptoms for. so I'm a huge advocate of calling your dr. if they become too much.

mesamyt · September 2015

CBWifey said:
For me, the Braxton Hicks were never painful, they were just gentle firming of the belly and squeeze like sensations of the uterus. Actual early labor felt completely different, it felt like the day before you get your period, light menstral cramping, that effects your back, and it increases in frequency and strength.

This exactly. Real contractions will start low like period cramps. But usually wrap around through your back and up your sides.

cameronreed · September 2015

FTM here...20w3d! I really appreciate your post. I actually just got on to search for a Braxton Hicks posts because I think I've had my first bouts of BH today. My tummy just got really tight and contracted for a few long seconds, then went back to normal. I'm assuming this is BH and not contractions. It is normal to have BH this early on?

kwentela · September 2015

@cameronreed I'm a FTM too and my Braxton hicks started at around 19 weeks. Totally non painful I can just feel how tight my stomach is and goes away within 30 secs or so. I'm almost 23 weeks now and my doc said that as long as I don't have more than 5 in an hour and they go away with rest and drinking water it's perfectly normal.

ariasbabyblog · September 2015

Mine are a little different. My BH only affect parts of my belly at a time. So the bottom of my bump will tighten, or just the right or left side will tighten. They never hurt and they are usually brief (5-10 seconds). My actual contractions affect the entire bump and last for longer. I'm one of those woman that don't think labor and contractions hurt, so none of mine hurt. My only difference is how much of my bump is affected, for how long, and how frequent. Right now I'm getting BH a few times a week, and a single contraction once a week. This has been going on for about 3 weeks now. It is perfectly normal to have BH right now, and even earlier. The uterus and muscles around it need to practice and "exercise" in preparation for the main event.

holocene · September 2015

@ariasbabyblog - labour didn't hurt you?! I'm so jealous. I have a very high pain tolerance, but both of my labours hurt like a SOB.

ariasbabyblog · September 2015

It was one of the most intense and exhausting things I have ever done, but it was never what I would call painful.

shaunahf · September 2015

ariasbabyblog said:
It was one of the most intense and exhausting things I have ever done, but it was never what I would call painful.

I was the same way. Very intense and exhausting but not painful.

ChrissyD1203 · September 2015

So excited to see your posts @ariasbabyblog and @shaunahf , it gives me something to hope for that maybe I can be lucky and be exhausted instead of in pain!!! I'm most worried about feeling nauseous.

DianaL92 · September 2015

shaunahf said:

ariasbabyblog said:
It was one of the most intense and exhausting things I have ever done, but it was never what I would call painful.
I was the same way. Very intense and exhausting but not painful.

May I ask if both of you took specific types of birthing classes? I know that there are birthing classes (especially those geared towards natural birth) that teach women that contractions are pressure not pain. I'm so glad that you both got to experience that! I'm hoping that will be my experience as well.

cameronreed · September 2015

ariasbabyblog said:
Mine are a little different. My BH only affect parts of my belly at a time. So the bottom of my bump will tighten, or just the right or left side will tighten. They never hurt and they are usually brief (5-10 seconds). My actual contractions affect the entire bump and last for longer. I'm one of those woman that don't think labor and contractions hurt, so none of mine hurt. My only difference is how much of my bump is affected, for how long, and how frequent. Right now I'm getting BH a few times a week, and a single contraction once a week. This has been going on for about 3 weeks now. It is perfectly normal to have BH right now, and even earlier. The uterus and muscles around it need to practice and "exercise" in preparation for the main event.

My mom told me that her contraction weren't painful either. She said the only real pain she felt was when the baby crowned, and that was without an epi. Needless to say, she is my hero and I hope I can have as smooth of a labor experience as she had!

cameronreed · September 2015

@kwentela thank you! I'm glad to know that it is normal.

ariasbabyblog · September 2015

DianaL92 I didn't take any specific classes for labor, just a general "This is what to expect" sort of class. I fully expected it to hurt to be honest. I have had some experience with meditation and I did use some of what I learned there, but mostly it was remembering to breathe.

mamakculb · September 2015

My BH contractions were always just on my tummy, where as the real ones were through my back too. I always felt the the BH felt like a good ab exercise, haha! Of course the real ones were much longer in duration and intensity. As far as pain, I only had lower back pain and lots of pelvic pressure during labor. My hubby wore his thumbs out pressing them into my lower back, but man it was just what I needed! I did end up with an epi because I kept trying to push too early. I got it at the last possible moment and was able to relax and enjoy pushing. I kind of feel like real contractions are a good pain, you feel motivated to get to work and hold that baby! BH are just kind of annoying.

ChristinaAnneW · September 2015

I am having what I think is Braxton Hicks (a few times today.) I feel full in my tummy and when I look down the entire left side of my bump is raised and hard. I used to think this was her on one side but am now thinking it might not be. What do you ladies think?

MrsB915 · September 2015

@ChristinaAnneW with my first I'd feel something similar to what you're describing and it was always his back or bum pressing against one side of my belly. You could see and feel the difference between the two sides of my belly, one was hard and larger, the other was softer. It was the oddest thing and I enjoyed feeling him move away if I help my hand over the hard lump.

For me BH feel like a sustained crunch or leg lift. My lower belly tenses up and is uncomfortable bit doesn't hurt. BH felt equally as strong throughout, there was no peaks. My BH last longer than they do for others, more like 2-3 minutes or more. Probably because I don't stop my activity right away. They do subside after drinking water and lying down. They tend to be brought on by the same activities each time. Carrying laundry upstairs is the most frequent culprit.

Real contractions rise and peak in intensity then gradually drop off. They also start in my belly and wrap around to my back. Lying down didn't help alleviate the pain, actually I felt best standing with my hands resting on the bed, head down and relaxed and swaying my hips.

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Braxton Hicks contractions v. real labor contractions

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