Braxton Hicks also known as false labour fools pregnant women into thinking they are in labour just as the name implies.
Although I wouldn’t say it’s totally false, as it’s a way of warming up your uterus for the actual labour before putting it to work on the delivery day.
Usually Braxton hicks contraction are usually irregular and have no pattern and stressing yourself too much, being dehydrated might trigger it. It might also be your body’s way of shifting your baby into a better position before the actual labour starts.
In the 3rd trimester when the bump is rock hard there are moms who experience regular Braxton hicks ( sometimes it can be quite strong) and is accompanied by a tightening feeling.
The real labour will be more regular and will follow a pattern, then the intensity may increase which means you have to be focused to track the interval.
There are other signs that’ll tell you what you’re feeling is not just false labour such as; blood stained mucousy show (bloody show) or your waters breaks.
There are first time moms who experience braxton hicks contraction for a whole day at the beginning of labour. If you don’t know if labour has start or it’s just braxton hicks, then;
- Drink some water. One of the causes of false labour is dehydration.
- Take a leak. Go to the toilet and try to pee, a full bladder can bring on warm ups.
- Take a walk around and change your position, if it’s false labour it will stop after a while, if it’s real labour symptoms will persist.
- And if you’ve been stressing yourself out, rest and let your body relax, even while resting true labour will continue.
If everything points to the fact that labour is about to start then off you go to the hospital, if you are however unsure of what you’re feeling, call your doctor and ask for direction.
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