Braxton Hicks Contractions:

Now its time for mom to learn something very serious!!
These terms are very commonly used by doctors and by veteran moms. But what they really mean? They sound like some kind of difficult technical terminology that we should use in chemistry and physics lab..but actually they are more physiological ones and every pregnant should know about all these issues from their third trimester on.

These contractions may come anyday after you enter 27 weeks, but instead of worrying and rushing to the hospital try to note the ddifferences between normal labor and these false labor pain.
The following data will help mom to know the actual difference between the two and also guide her during that time with some relief measures.

What are Braxton Hicks contractions?

Sometime towards the middle of your pregnancy (or even earlier), you may notice the muscles of your uterus tightening for anywhere from 30 to 60 seconds. Not all women feel these random, usually painless contractions, which get their name from John Braxton Hicks, an English doctor who first described them in 1872.

Why do Braxton Hicks contractions occur?

Experts have different opinions about Braxton Hicks contractions and their true purpose. Some believe that they play a part in getting your cervix ready for labour (also called "ripening").

Others believe that Braxton Hicks contractions do not lead to changes to the cervix and that ripening only occurs in pre-labour, when the first co-ordinated contractions of labour start or in labour itself.

How can I tell the difference between Braxton Hicks and real labour contractions?

Most women pregnant for the first time will often ask their doctor or friends this question, and the answer is maddeningly vague: "You'll know real labour when it begins." And they're right. Labour contractions are noticeably longer as well as more regular, frequent and painful than Braxton Hicks contractions. Also, labour pains will increase in frequency, duration, and intensity as time goes on, while Braxton Hicks remain unpredictable and non-rhythmic. Braxton Hicks may reduce in intensity or cease when you change positions.

What if the Braxton Hicks contractions become painful?

As your pregnancy progresses, these contractions may become more intense and even painful at times. When they start to become more intense and frequent, they may feel like the real thing. However, the contractions will still be irregular in intensity, frequency, and duration, and can taper off and then disappear altogether. In other words, if you ever notice that your contractions are easing up in any way, they are probably Braxton Hicks.

Some healthcare professionals recommend that you use Braxton Hicks contractions as an opportunity to practise the breathing exercises you'll learn in your antenatal class.

What should I do if they're uncomfortable?

• Many women notice that the contractions come more frequently when they do light physical activity, such as shopping. If you feel discomfort, it sometimes helps to lie down, or, conversely, to get up and take a walk, both of which can ease any pain you feel.

• A warm bath sometimes helps, too.

• Drink plenty of fluids. The contractions may be due to thirst and dehydration as well.

When should I call my doctor?

Call if your contractions are accompanied by watery or bloody vaginal discharge. Until you reach term (37 weeks gestation), call your doctor if the contractions are accompanied by lower back pain, if you feel more than three or four contractions an hour, or if they're coming at regular intervals; these are signs of premature labour. If you're past 37 weeks, there's no need to call your doctor until your contractions last 60 seconds each and are five minutes apart.

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True Labor VS Braxton Hicks

The beginning of labor is different for every woman, and every pregnancy!

How can you tell the difference between your body's "practice contractions" known as Braxton Hicks, and The Big Show? Braxton Hicks contractions can sometimes be very difficult to differentiate from real labor, and sometimes can only be determined by a vaginal exam. The main difference is Braxton Hicks contractions will not dilate your cervix or help baby drop lower into the pelvis in preparation for birth as true labor will. Remember, if there is any doubt, call your caregiver or hospital.

Some basic differences between the two:

* Braxton Hicks contractions may subside after you drink a couple glasses of water, empty your bladder, and lie on your left side for an hour or two. True labor will persist after these interventions.
* Usually Braxton Hicks will remain irregular and short, true labor contractions may begin as irregular contractions, but will become more regular, longer, closer together, and stronger with time.
* In true labor, contractions may become stronger while walking, and do not cease while resting. Braxton Hicks contractions will not be affected by walking, and resting might make them stop.
* You may feel nauseated, have diarrhea, or vomit with true labor. With Braxton Hicks you will not.
* There may be bloody show in true labor as your cervix dilates, this won't be present with Braxton Hicks unless you have had a recent vaginal exam.
* Braxton Hicks contractions are often felt in the top of the uterus or in the groin area. True labor often starts in the lower back and radiates to the front.

How To Time Your Contractions:

First write down the time at the beginning of one contraction and again at the beginning of the next. The time between actually includes the contraction itself, and the time in between contractions. So if your contraction lasts 60 seconds, and there are four minutes until the next one, your contractions are 5 minutes apart.

A good rule of thumb:

* First time mom's should come to the hospital or call their caregiver (if a home birth) when contractions reach three to five minutes apart for a full hour.
* For veteran moms, come to the hospital when your contractions have been five to seven minutes apart for a full hour.

Most mothers are more comfortable spending the beginning part of labor at home, rather than in the hospital. However, if at any time you feel you need to be checked out by the hospital or your caregiver do so! Don't be embarrassed or upset if you are told you're having 'false labor', or are in the very early stages of labor. That baby will arrive eventually, I promise!

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Braxton-Hicks Contractions:

Braxton-Hicks contractions are usually painless contractions of the uterus. Some women report painful sensations or more often, uncomfortable tightening of the abdominal wall. The Braxton-Hicks contractions are usually intermittent and come and go without an increase in intensity. The sometimes painful contractions are usually felt beginning after the twenty-eighth week of pregnancy. This sensation is due to the increasing amounts of estrogen and also due to the fact that the uterus is experiencing distention. These really are the same sort of pains felt during menstruation. Some women find them more frequent, usually after the pregnancy is well established.The contractions may occur every ten to twenty minutes any time after the twenty-eighth week and may not be felt by some women at all.

Other women feel them continually with intensity. Sometimes, the severity of the pain is due to the fact the women is a primigravida and is more aware of changes in her body. Or, a multigravida may be more aware of Braxton-Hicks contractions due to multiple pregnancies. They are usually most noticeable toward the end of the pregnancy although the contractions can be experienced any time after the pregnancy is into the second month or so.

Sometimes, the fact that the uterine contractions are happening close to the end of the pregnancy, they prompt women to go to the hospital because the Braxton-Hicks contractions are mistakenly considered to be true labor pains. Thus, Braxton-Hicks contractions are also known as false labor pains. Probably, if statistics were quoted, it would be found that nine out of ten women especially during their first pregnancy go at least once to the hospital experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions.

http://www.braxton-hickscontractions.com/


Pregnancy tends to come with a host of different discomforts, ranging from morning sickness, to bladder problems, to nosebleeds. As your pregnancy progresses, you may begin to notice a tightness in your uterus. This tightness is actually referred to as a Braxton Hicks

contraction, and it is one of the most common pregnancy symptoms. Read on to find out more about Braxton Hicks contractions and how to tell them apart from the real signs of labor.

What are Braxton Hicks Contractions?
The majority of women experience frequent Braxton Hicks contractions during the different stages of pregnancy. Braxton Hicks contractions are actually a tightening in the muscles of the uterus. Your brain sends your body signals to prepare for labor by contracting the uterine muscles, resulting in these uncomfortable contractions. Usually lasting between 1 and 2 minutes, Braxton Hicks contractions can occur throughout your pregnancy, strengthening in the last months before delivery.

Braxton Hicks contractions are named after the scientist who first discovered them in 1872. Thanks to him, we now know why women feel this strange tightening in their abdomens during pregnancy. The discovery of Braxton Hicks contractions has helped to clear up the mystery of false labor and the whole labor process.

Why do Braxton Hicks Contractions Occur?
The contractions that you experience throughout your pregnancy aren’t just there to annoy you – they actually do have a purpose. Braxton

Hicks contractions seem to be a part of the stages of pregnancy development. It is thought that Braxton Hicks contractions help your body to prepare for actual labor. They are commonly called "practice contractions" as they help your uterus prepare for the contractions it will experience during labor. Without Braxton Hicks contractions, your labor contractions would be longer, more painful, and less effective at pushing your baby out. Braxton Hicks contractions felt later in pregnancy also help to soften the cervix.

When do Braxton Hicks Contractions Begin?
Although Braxton Hicks contractions can begin as early as a couple of months into the first trimester of pregnancy, they usually begin around the 28th week of pregnancy. If you have already given birth to a child before, you may notice that your Braxton Hicks contractions begin earlier than usual and are more intense.

Braxton Hicks contractions are most common in the third trimester. Unfortunately, Braxton Hicks contractions typically last until the baby is delivered, and can get very uncomfortable as your due date nears.

What do Braxton Hicks Contractions Feel Like?
Some women do not feel much discomfort with their contractions, while others definitely feel stronger Braxton Hicks contractions. Usually, Braxton Hicks contractions are painless, causing only minor discomfort and annoyance. As you begin to get closer to your due date though, you may notice that your Braxton Hicks contractions are becoming stronger.

Braxton Hicks contractions tend to be infrequent and irregular, and can sometimes pop up out of nowhere. They usually don’t last long, though it depends on your particular pregnancy; some women have Braxton Hicks contractions that can last as long as 5 minutes.

When you experience a Braxton Hicks contraction, you might be able to feel the muscles in your uterus contracting. It will cause your stomach to become rigid and hard, which you will be able to feel if you touch your belly. This rigidity typically lasts only for a few minutes.

You may also feel moderate pain in the front of your abdomen which will then radiate down your body.

Common Braxton Hicks Triggers
Many women notice that certain things trigger their Braxton Hicks contractions. Common triggers include:

* baby moving inside your body
* heavy exertion or exercise, especially carrying things
* touching your abdomen
* sexual intercourse
* dehydration

What’s the Difference Between Braxton Hicks and Labor?
Many women worry that they won’t be able to tell the difference between their Braxton Hicks contractions and the real signs of labor. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

* Braxton Hicks contractions don’t increase in intensity, unlike labor pains.
* Labor pains will increase in frequency, whereas Braxton Hicks contractions will eventually disappear.
* Braxton Hicks contractions tend to be irregular, and occur sporadically. Real labor pains usually have a pattern to them.
* Braxton Hicks contractions don’t cause pain, but merely discomfort, unlike real labor contractions.

How to Stay Comfortable with Braxton Hicks Contractions:
If your Braxton Hicks contractions are really causing you discomfort, there are some things you can do to help minimize their effects. Try some of these tips the next time you have a Braxton Hicks contraction.

* Change your activity or position when you feel a Braxton Hicks contraction coming on. Usually a simple change in movement can help alleviate discomfort and even make the contractions go away.
* Try resting for a little bit. Lie down on your left side and drink a glass of water.
* Stay hydrated. Dehydration can often cause your muscles to spasm, and may trigger Braxton Hicks contractions.
* Empty your bladder often. Bladder irritation can trigger more intense Braxton Hicks contractions.
* Practice your labor breathing techniques while you are experiencing your Braxton Hicks contractions. Slow, deep, and rhythmic breathing can help alleviate discomfort.

http://www.pregnancy-info.net/braxton_hicks.html