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Braxton Hicks Contractions

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pregnancy pain

 If you feel tightening or cramping in your abdomen during your pregnancy, you may be having Braxton Hicks contractions. This is normal and not a sign that you’re ready to give birth.

Braxton Hicks contractions are sometimes called ‘false’ or ‘practice’ contractions.

What are Braxton Hicks contractions?

🔹  Braxton Hicks contractions are a tightening in your abdomen that comes and goes. They are contractions of your uterus in preparation for giving birth.

🔹  They tone the muscles in your uterus and may also help prepare the cervix for birth.

What do they feel like?

🔹  Braxton Hicks contractions feel like muscles tightening across your belly, and if you put your hands on your belly when the contractions happen, you can probably feel your uterus becoming hard.

🔹  They occur from early in your pregnancy but you may not feel them until the second trimester. If this is your first pregnancy, you might start to feel them from about 16 weeks.

🔹  In later pregnancies, you may feel Braxton Hicks contractions more often, or earlier. Some women won’t feel them at all.

🔹  Braxton Hicks contractions come and go irregularly, and usually last for about 30 seconds. While they can be uncomfortable, they usually aren’t painful.

How are they different from labour pain?

Braxton Hicks contractions:

👉  usually last for about 30 seconds
👉  Can be uncomfortable, but usually aren’t painful
come at irregular times usually occur no more than once or twice an hour (until late in the pregnancy), a few times a day
👉  Usually stop if you change position or activity

Unlike labor pain, Braxton Hicks contractions don’t:

👉  Get closer together last longer as time goes by get stronger or come more often when you walk get stronger over time

How can I ease the discomfort?

Braxton Hicks contractions are normal and don’t need treatment. But if you feel uncomfortable, you can try:

🔹  Lying down
🔹  Taking a walk
🔹  Relaxing in a warm bath
🔹  Having a massage