Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhen Do They Begin?TriggersSelf-CareWhen to Call a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
When Do They Begin?
Triggers
Self-Care
When to Call a Provider
Braxton-Hicks are real contractions, but they’re not labor contractions. You’ll most likely feel them in the third trimester, but they can start well before that. Rest assured, they’re a normal part of pregnancy. Some people have a lot more Braxton-Hicks contractions than others. Potential triggers include exercise, dehydration, or having sex.
This article describes Braxton-Hicks contractions, why you might have so many, and when to call a healthcare provider.
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How Soon Can Braxton-Hicks Contractions Begin?
You might not always be aware of them, but low-intensity, irregularBraxton-Hicks contractionscan happen at any time during pregnancy.But don’t be surprised if you never feel them because that’s also normal.
How Braxton-Hicks Contrations Feel
Acontractionis when the muscles of your uterus get tight and then relax again. Braxton-Hicks contractions mightfeellike this:
Timeline of Braxton-Hicks Contractions
When do Braxton-Hicks start? The answer is different for every pregnancy. Braxton-Hicks can start very early in pregnancy, though most people don’t feel them until the second or third trimester.
By week 39, Braxton-Hicks may be more painful and happen more often. But they still don’t become regular like true labor contractions.
Causes and Risk Factors of More Braxton-Hicks Than Usual
The exact cause is unclear. The theory is that they are practice contractions that may help strengthen uterine muscles.They may also help thecervixget softer and thinner in preparation for labor anddelivery.
The frequency of Braxton-Hicks contractions varies from person to person and from one pregnancy to another. Although your body is getting ready for labor and delivery, having frequent Braxton-Hicks doesn’t always mean you’re close to labor.
Braxton-Hicks Triggers
If you’re wondering why you’re having so many Braxton-Hicks contractions, some possible triggers are:
Braxton-Hicks contractions may be more noticeable at the end of the day.
What Helps Ease Braxton-Hicks Contractions?
If they’re bothering you, just changing things up a bit can make Braxton-Hicks contractions ease up or taper off. Here are a few things you can try:
It’s worth noting that none of these things will stop your contractions if you’re intrue labor. They’ll get increasingly stronger and closer together.
When to Check With a Provider
It’s a good idea to check with a healthcare provider if you’re not sure you’re having Braxton-Hicks contractions, especially if you have ahigh-risk pregnancy. Also, check with a healthcare provider if you thought it was Braxton-Hicks, but contractions are getting more intense and coming at regular intervals.
Signs that you should contact a healthcare provider immediately include:
Abdominalpain during pregnancycan indicate aurinary tract infection (UTI)or medical emergency such as:
Summary
They’re realcontractions, but Braxton-Hicks are not labor contractions. As with labor contractions, the abdomen tightens and relaxes, but these are irregular. They don’t get more intense and closer together. While they may be preparing your body for delivery, they don’t signify active labor.
Braxton-Hicks can start at any point during pregnancy. But you’re more likely to notice them in thethird trimester. They can happen simply because you’re a little dehydrated or physically active. Unlike labor contractions, Braxton-Hicks may ease up when you change position or rehydrate.
Call a healthcare provider if you’re not sure you’re inlaboror feel something isn’t right. It’s best to err on the side of caution.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hutter J, Kohli V, Dellschaft N. et al.Dynamics of T2* and deformation in the placenta and myometrium during pre-labour contractions.Sci Rep2022;12(1):18542. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-22008-3Leeds Teaching Hospitals.FAQ for pregnancy.Penn Medicine. Lancaster General Health.What are Braxton-Hicks contractions?American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.How to tell when labor begins.Nemours KidsHealth.Week 22.Nemours KidsHealth.Week 39.March of Dimes.Contractions and signs of labor.Office on Women’s Health.Labor and birth.Ansaldi Y, Martinez de Tejada Weber B.Urinary tract infections in pregnancy.Clin Microbiol Infect. 2023;29(10):1249-1253. doi:10.1016/j.cmi.2022.08.015Lee IT, Barnhart KT.What is an ectopic pregnancy?JAMA. 2023;329(5):434. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.22941Victoria State Government: Better Health.Placental abruptions.Rana S, Lemoine E, Granger JP, Karumanchi SA.Preeclampsia.Circulation Research. 2019;124(7):1094-1112. doi:10.1161/circresaha.118.313276
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hutter J, Kohli V, Dellschaft N. et al.Dynamics of T2* and deformation in the placenta and myometrium during pre-labour contractions.Sci Rep2022;12(1):18542. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-22008-3Leeds Teaching Hospitals.FAQ for pregnancy.Penn Medicine. Lancaster General Health.What are Braxton-Hicks contractions?American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.How to tell when labor begins.Nemours KidsHealth.Week 22.Nemours KidsHealth.Week 39.March of Dimes.Contractions and signs of labor.Office on Women’s Health.Labor and birth.Ansaldi Y, Martinez de Tejada Weber B.Urinary tract infections in pregnancy.Clin Microbiol Infect. 2023;29(10):1249-1253. doi:10.1016/j.cmi.2022.08.015Lee IT, Barnhart KT.What is an ectopic pregnancy?JAMA. 2023;329(5):434. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.22941Victoria State Government: Better Health.Placental abruptions.Rana S, Lemoine E, Granger JP, Karumanchi SA.Preeclampsia.Circulation Research. 2019;124(7):1094-1112. doi:10.1161/circresaha.118.313276
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Hutter J, Kohli V, Dellschaft N. et al.Dynamics of T2* and deformation in the placenta and myometrium during pre-labour contractions.Sci Rep2022;12(1):18542. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-22008-3Leeds Teaching Hospitals.FAQ for pregnancy.Penn Medicine. Lancaster General Health.What are Braxton-Hicks contractions?American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.How to tell when labor begins.Nemours KidsHealth.Week 22.Nemours KidsHealth.Week 39.March of Dimes.Contractions and signs of labor.Office on Women’s Health.Labor and birth.Ansaldi Y, Martinez de Tejada Weber B.Urinary tract infections in pregnancy.Clin Microbiol Infect. 2023;29(10):1249-1253. doi:10.1016/j.cmi.2022.08.015Lee IT, Barnhart KT.What is an ectopic pregnancy?JAMA. 2023;329(5):434. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.22941Victoria State Government: Better Health.Placental abruptions.Rana S, Lemoine E, Granger JP, Karumanchi SA.Preeclampsia.Circulation Research. 2019;124(7):1094-1112. doi:10.1161/circresaha.118.313276
Hutter J, Kohli V, Dellschaft N. et al.Dynamics of T2* and deformation in the placenta and myometrium during pre-labour contractions.Sci Rep2022;12(1):18542. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-22008-3
Leeds Teaching Hospitals.FAQ for pregnancy.
Penn Medicine. Lancaster General Health.What are Braxton-Hicks contractions?
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.How to tell when labor begins.
Nemours KidsHealth.Week 22.
Nemours KidsHealth.Week 39.
March of Dimes.Contractions and signs of labor.
Office on Women’s Health.Labor and birth.
Ansaldi Y, Martinez de Tejada Weber B.Urinary tract infections in pregnancy.Clin Microbiol Infect. 2023;29(10):1249-1253. doi:10.1016/j.cmi.2022.08.015
Lee IT, Barnhart KT.What is an ectopic pregnancy?JAMA. 2023;329(5):434. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.22941
Victoria State Government: Better Health.Placental abruptions.
Rana S, Lemoine E, Granger JP, Karumanchi SA.Preeclampsia.Circulation Research. 2019;124(7):1094-1112. doi:10.1161/circresaha.118.313276
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