🤰BRAXTON HICKS CONTRACTIONS🤰

#BraxtonHicks #FalseLabor

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 (womb) 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.

Braxton Hicks contractions don’t cause labour and aren’t a sign that labour is beginning.

🔵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 labour 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

You can distinguish Braxton Hicks from ‘real labour’ as they disappear with a change of position or activity such as a warm bath or shower.

If the pain or discomfort of your contractions eases off, they’re probably Braxton Hicks contractions.

In late pregnancy, you may experience Braxton Hicks contractions more often — perhaps as much as every 10 to 20 minutes. This is a sign that you are preparing for labour — known as prelabour.

If you’re not sure whether what you’re experiencing is Braxton Hicks contractions or actual labour, contact your doctor or midwife. They will be able to tell by doing a vaginal examination — if there are no signs that your cervix is changing, it is not labour.

🟢Should I call my doctor or midwife?

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If you feel pain, pressure or discomfort in your pelvis, abdomen or lower back, you may be having the first signs of labour. You should contact your doctor or midwife immediately, if you’re less than 37 weeks pregnant, as this can be a sign of premature labour.

If you are full-term, you may choose to wait until a bit later in your labour, depending on what you have arranged with your doctor or midwife. If your waters break, or your contractions are strong and 5 minutes apart, it’s time to go to the hospital.

At any stage of pregnancy, you should contact your doctor or midwife immediately if you:

❗️have persistent pain in your abdomen

❗️have vaginal bleeding

❗️notice your baby’s movements have slowed or stopped

❗️feel very unwell

If you are in doubt, don’t hesitate to call your doctor or midwife for advice.

🟢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

It may help to practise your breathing exercises during your Braxton Hicks contractions.

#NurseOtieno #TheNurse