- Braxton Hicks contractions happen with all pregnancies to help your body prepare for labor.
- They might feel like a mild muscle spasm, tightening in your baby bump, or menstrual cramps.
- Not sure if you’re in labor? It’s always OK to check with your doctor — especially before 38 weeks.
- Visit Insider's Health Reference library for more advice.
Braxton Hicks contractions, also known as false labor, are mild contractions you might feel in the later stages of pregnancy.
There's no need to worry if you experience Braxton Hicks contractions, since they're a natural part of pregnancy. In fact, Braxton Hicks contractions happen with every pregnancy, but not everyone notices them.
These contractions are named after John Braxton Hicks, a 19th century doctor who studied and brought attention to them in the medical community.
Read on to learn more about how these contractions can feel, why they happen, and how to tell them apart from true labor contractions.
What do Braxton Hicks contractions feel like?
Just as no two pregnancies are the same, the way people experience Braxton Hicks contractions and their intensity can vary, says Caitlin Goodwin, a certified nurse midwife and medical consultant for Mom Loves Best.
For some people, Braxton Hicks contractions can feel painful or intense. Others may experience them as a tightening sensation in their abdomen, says Goodwin.
According to research from 2021, Braxton Hicks contractions can feel like:
- Menstrual cramps
- A mild muscle spasm in your abdomen
- Tightening or tensing of specific areas of the baby bump
Some people may mistake a Braxton Hicks contraction for the baby's movements. "Many people have described the feeling as the baby 'balling up' or their abdomen tightening," says Neely Elisha, an OB-GYN at Inspira Health.
If you look at your baby bump during a Braxton Hicks contraction, you might be able to see the area where the contraction is happening tighten or change shape. The area may also feel hard when you touch it.
It can help to remember that Braxton Hicks contractions won't feel the same as true labor, Elisha says. Labor sensations eventually become so intense that you can't talk through them, while the intensity of Braxton Hicks contractions remains fairly mild in comparison.
When do Braxton Hicks contractions start?
Experts note Braxton Hicks contractions may actually start as soon as six weeks into pregnancy, even though people don't notice them until much later.
Most people begin to notice Braxton Hicks contractions during the third trimester of pregnancy, but you can experience them as early as the second trimester all the way up until true labor begins.
It's not uncommon to mistake Braxton Hicks contractions that occur in late pregnancy for real contractions, especially during your first pregnancy.
Benefits of Braxton Hicks contractions
Braxton Hicks contractions help prepare your mind and body for childbirth, and they can also help you practice any relaxation techniques you plan to use during labor, says Goodwin. For example, you might practice breathing exercises, guided imagery, or meditation when Braxton Hicks contractions occur.
Moreover, Braxton Hicks contractions may help ripen, or soften, the cervix in preparation for childbirth, Goodwin says.
They may also help tone the uterus, getting it ready to withstand labor, says Elisha.
But while Braxton Hicks contractions may help your body prepare for true labor, experiencing them doesn't necessarily mean labor is about to begin. In fact, some of the most common things that trigger Braxton Hicks include:
- Dehydration
- Exercise or physical activity
- Sex
- Having a full bladder
- Fetal movement
Because Braxton Hicks contractions can increase blood flow to the placenta and get more oxygen to your baby as a result, some experts suggest their purpose is to reduce stress on the fetus that might be caused by these triggers.
Braxton Hicks contractions vs. labor
If you're experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions toward the end of your third trimester, you may mistake them for labor pains. Here's some key factors to help you differentiate the two.
1. How frequent are the contractions?
Timing your contractions can help you figure out whether they follow a specific pattern. If they're irregular, they're probably Braxton Hicks. "Braxton Hicks contractions remain random and sporadic," says Goodwin.
By comparison, true contractions during early labor can occur at five to 30 minute intervals and happen increasingly closer together as labor progresses.
2. How long are the contractions?
Braxton Hicks contractions may vary more in length than true contractions:
- Labor contractions tend to last from 30 to 45 seconds early on and lengthen over time, lasting up to 60 to 90 seconds right before birth.
- Braxton Hicks contractions can last anywhere from under 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
3. How intense are the contractions?
Braxton Hicks contractions aren't usually painful — and even when they are, their intensity tends to fade as they taper off.
Meanwhile, real contractions become stronger and more intense over time.
4. Where do I feel the contractions?
You'll likely experience Braxton Hicks contractions and true contractions in different areas of your body.
Braxton Hicks contractions tend to develop at the front of your abs or in one specific place. Labor contractions, by comparison, might feel like pressure:
- In your lower back
- In your pelvis
- That starts at the top of your abdomen or mid-back and wraps around from both sides to the front
It's more common to feel true labor contractions in your back and front, while you'll only feel Braxton Hicks contractions in your front, says Elisha.
When to call your doctor or midwife
While Braxton Hicks contractions can happen up until labor begins, true labor involves signs you won't experience with Braxton Hicks. These include:
- Bloody show, or losing your mucus plug
- Leaking fluids, which can mean your water has broken
- Increased bowel movements or feeling the urge to have a bowel movement
If you notice any of these signs, contacting your care team is a good next step.
"Don't feel bad about being unsure if this is the real deal or not," says Goodwin.
It's always wise to check in when you notice signs of early labor, but this becomes especially important if you notice any of these signs at 37 weeks or earlier. This may mean you're going into preterm labor, which can lead to complications for your infant.
Insider's takeaway
Braxton Hicks contractions are a natural and expected part of pregnancy. If you notice them, just take them as a sign your body is preparing for the real thing.
While Braxton Hicks contractions don't always cause pain, they sometimes can. If you find them overly intense, there are a few things you can do to relieve the pain.
"Many pregnant folks find that hydrating, lying on their side and taking a nap, or enjoying a warm shower or bath will knock Braxton Hicks contractions out or help them slow down," says Goodwin.