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
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Idabel, OK
4 SE Avenue A , Idabel, OK, 74745
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 Cardiac Surgery - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
Baylor Scott & White Liver Consultants of Texas - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sulphur Springs
601 Airport Rd Ste 110, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482
Baylor Scott & White North Texas Colon and Rectal Associates - Sulphur Springs
601 Airport Rd Ste 110, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482
Baylor Scott & White Liver Consultants of Texas - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White North Texas Colon and Rectal Associates - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Center for Advanced Surgery - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Center for Thoracic Surgery - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75702
Baylor Scott & White Cardiac Surgery - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Touchstone Imaging Tyler
2019 Old Troup Hwy , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Texas Spine & Joint Hospital
1814 Roseland Blvd Ste 100, Tyler, TX, 75701
Glen Oaks Hospital
301 Division St , Greenville, TX, 75401
Baylor Scott & White Surgical Hospital - Sherman
3601 N Calais St , Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Urgent Care+ Sherman
4028 N Hwy 75 , Sherman, TX, 75090
- Monday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Texas Spine & Joint Hospital Urgent Care - Tyler
8101 S Broadway Ave , Tyler, TX, 75703
- Monday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Texas Vascular Associates - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
Baylor Scott & White Spine & Scoliosis Center - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care Associates Pediatrics - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 110, Greenville, TX, 75402
- 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 Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
- 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 - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic Associates of Dallas - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care Associates - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 100, Greenville, TX, 75402
- 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 Gastroenterology - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
Baylor Scott & White Imaging Center - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 200, Greenville, TX, 75402
- 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 Outpatient Rehabilitation - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 120, Greenville, TX, 75402
- 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 Endoscopy Center - Sherman
1615 US-75 Ste B, Sherman, TX, 75090
Sherman Endoscopy Center
1615 N Hwy 75 , Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Women's Care & Continence Center - Sherman
260 E Evergreen St , Sherman, TX, 75090
- 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 - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sherman Sycamore (Satellite)
203 E Sycamore St , Sherman, TX, 75090
Texas Vascular Associates - Sherman
230 E Sycamore St Ste 105, Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Group - Sherman
230 E Sycamore St Ste 205, Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Arrhythmia Management - Sherman
230 E Sycamore St Ste 205, Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care – Sherman Highland (Satellite)
300 N Highland Ave , Sherman, TX, 75092
Baylor Scott & White Digestive Diseases Group - Sherman
204 Medical Dr Ste 240, Sherman, TX, 75092
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care - Van Alstyne
250 N Collin McKinney Pkwy , Van Alstyne, TX, 75495
- 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 - 4:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Anna
601 S. Ferguson Pkwy Ste 100, Anna, TX, 75409
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Royse City
594 W Interstate 30 , Royse City, TX, 75189
- Monday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Anna
450 N Standridge Blvd , Anna, TX, 75409
Baylor Scott & White Digestive Diseases Group - Anna
450 N Standridge Blvd Ste 104, Anna, TX, 75409
Baylor Scott & White Texas Cardiac Associates - Royse City
6257 FM 2642 Blvd Ste 100, Royse City, TX, 75189
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care Associates - Royse City
6257 FM 2642 Blvd Ste 100, Royse City, TX, 75189
- 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 Surgical Institute - Royse City
6257 FM 2642 Blvd Ste 100, Royse City, TX, 75189
- Monday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - McKinney Red Bud
1705 W University Dr Ste 119, McKinney, TX, 75069
Baylor Scott & White Institute For Rehabilitation - McKinney Lake Forest
1705 W University Dr Ste 119, McKinney, TX, 75069
Baylor Scott & White Institute For Rehabilitation - McKinney University
1705 W University Dr Ste 119, McKinney, TX, 75069
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.