Braxton Hicks contractions are sporadic tightening of the uterine muscles. They are considered practice contractions and they help your body prepare for childbirth. Braxton Hicks contractions assist in toning the uterine muscle, promote blood flow to the placenta, and soften the cervix.

When Do They Start?

Although they begin very early in pregnancy, most women do not detect them until late in the second trimester or early in the third trimester. Some women never detect them. They may occur throughout the pregnancy increasing as it gets closer to your due date.

Signs and Symptoms of Braxton Hicks contractions

The contractions may last from 30 seconds to as long as five minutes. They are not painful except for towards the end of pregnancy, when they are considered false labor. They should be irregular in their intensity and timing. Braxton Hicks contractions should be infrequent and should taper off, not increase in intensity or duration.

Trigger factors of Braxton Hicks contractions

There are factors that may trigger Braxton Hicks contractions, they are:

• You are very active or lift something heavy
• The baby is very active
• You have a full bladder
• You are dehydrated
• Sexual intercourse
• Touching your stomach
• Or towards the end of pregnancy, your weekly doctor exam

Treatment of Braxton Hicks contractions

If the contractions are making you really uncomfortable, try these techniques to lessen the discomfort of the contractions.

• Take a bath or do something that relaxes you.
• Change your activity. If you have been lying down, become active. If you have been active, lay down.
• Drink some water to see of the contractions are because you are dehydrated.
• Have some warm milk or herbal tea.

How to distingush from labor?

It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between Braxton Hicks contractions and real labor. There are things you can do to alleviate the contractions - real labor will not stop because of a change in activity. True labor pains will grow consistently longer, stronger and closer together. If you are unsure if the contractions are preterm labor, contact your doctor right away. If the contractions increase in intensity or are closer together, or if changing your activity does not cause them to taper off, call your doctor immediately.