FTM-how do i know the difference between Braxton Hicks Contractions and actual labor contractions?

Question

last night i had a lot of pressure on my lower tummy and my whole stomach was so tight but there was no pain.
just wondering if i should call L&D or nah

Answer

That sounds like Braxton Hicks unless you get more than 10 an hour I was told not to worry just drink lots of water and it’ll go away. Contractions feel like someone is ripping out your uterus out your lower back...😂

Answer

If no pain then most likely it was Braxton Hicks. Bh usually just feel uncomfortable and tight. Real contractions get more intense and gets closer and closer together in time.

Answer

Real contractions feel like super duper bad period cramps and they are consistent and won’t go away if you lay on your side and drink water.

Answer

When you have real contractions you will feel them in your entire uterus. Top and bottom mainly in the top because it’s the top of your uterus that helps push the baby down. I couldn’t tell the difference either until my doctor in detail described them to me. I was induced with my first and second child so all of my contractions were caused from Pitocin but with my third I went into labor on my own and at first I thought they were Braxton Hicks because I had been having them for the last 2 months then I could tell because my whole stomach was tightening and not just the bottom of it and they hurt like an SOB lol but definitely not as bad as the ones from being induced.

Answer

I know this isn’t the most helpful answer, but trust me you’ll know when you’re having real contractions. The really early ones might be hard to distinguish from BH but as labour starts to progress they will be unmistakable.
I had awful BH - every five minutes for most of the last 4 months. I had an irritable uterus. Some of them were mildly painful but nothing I couldn’t talk through. Real contractions were much different for me - they were like a whole body experience, with lots and lots of pressure.

Answer

Braxton Hicks should never involve pain so that’s what it sounds like you were having. Real ones.. well, when they’re happening, you’ll most likely know lol. They’re very intense. I couldn’t feel my really ones until I was 5 cm but good lord, the pain went from 0-100 really quickly. Whenever you’ve got BH, they usually happen because of dehydration so just up your fluids. Laying on your side may also help to make them stop, as per my doctor’s advice.

FTM-how do i know the difference between Braxton Hicks Contractions and actual labor contractions?

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