Contractions ??

Question

Maybe a silly question, but how can you tell the difference between a real contraction and a Braxton Hicks ? I keep getting them and they start out as just pressure and uncomfortable and then turn into almost a burning feeling that hurts. Not in a regular pattern or anything, but they can be painful. I don’t know what the difference in feeling is.. I’m 31w 5d

Answer

Sometimes the only difference is that real contractions with be able to be timed and Braxton Hicks will be irregularly timed.

Answer

Honestly for me, there wasn’t much of a difference. My belly would get tight, starting from the top and then wrapping around towards my hips and my back (just like with Braxton Hicks). The ONLY difference is they came more frequently and would not go away with water and resting. Once they were 5 minutes apart, they became a bit more intense and painful, but nothing crazy. I was 4cm when I made it to the hospital. My contractions didn’t hurt until the doctor broke my waters at 6cm dilate. But everyone is different, and every experience is different. I think the key here is they’re time-able, Braxton Hicks are infrequent and should go away with water and resting. Hope this helps!

Answer

A Braxton hick is basically a false alarm contraction. Like your body is preparing you for the real thing and just ‘practicing’. As long as they aren’t consistent and regular like say every 10 mins or less then you are fine. I get horribly painful Braxton Hicks as well and that’s how my doctor explained it to me.

Answer

I was just in the hospital for Braxton Hicks that I had to breathe through and were a minute long every 3-4 minutes apart. The nurse said I was fine to go home since nothing progressed cervix wise if I felt up to it. And that if the contractions are higher on my belly she’s not super concerned but if they are low in my pelvis and sharp then she’d be worried and want me to stay longer. So I’d say, pain in your lower belly with consistency would make them pretty real.

Answer

Real contractions are super painful, like can’t walk or talk through them, have to breathe them out, and they don’t stop with rest and get closer together. Braxton Hicks should be more of a tightening of the uterus that comes and goes.

Answer

Contractions will get more intense and more frequent. They usually dont start put painful but progressively gets worse. Contractions take your breath away and you have to breath through them.

Answer

I saw a video from a childbirth educator that describes this super well. Braxton Hicks is going to come around the sides while the real deal will come from the top of your uterus (typically, of course. Everyone is different). https://youtu.be/URyEZusnjBI

Contractions ??

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