Braxton Hick's contractions

Braxton Hicks contractions are, in effect, practice contractions. Your uterus is preparing for labor and may sporadically contract from around 20 weeks onwards; possibly earlier if this is your second pregnancy.

Although they can be a tad uncomfortable, these contractions shouldn’t be painful. You’ll feel your uterus tighten and then relax, perhaps for a minute or so, and it’ll be very random – not consistent, as real contractions are. Although, you may worry that you won’t be able to tell the difference between Braxton Hicks contractions and the real thing, you will!

As your pregnancy proceeds, and certainly by your eighth or ninth month, your Braxton Hicks contractions will start to grow in intensity. As a guide, if they become painful or you notice they’re getting more regular (maybe three every hour), or if you have unusual vaginal discharge or lower back pain, call your OB-GYN or nurse-midwife straightaway, as these could be signs of preterm labor.

If you have any unanswered questions, use our answers page to gain wisdom from other moms or our resident experts for all those pregnancy queries.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional

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