If you are pregnant, you may have experienced a sudden, sharp pain in your stomach, followed by a dull ache that goes away. You may be a little scared, thinking, "Oh, is this the pain of childbirth?" Most of the time, this is not the actual onset of labor. This is what we are talking about today, called ' false contractions ' or Braxton Hicks contractions. Let's talk about this clearly and simply.
Simply put, what are Braxton Hicks?
Braxton Hicks contractions are "false contractions" or "practice contractions." To be precise, they are a little practice that your body, especially your uterus, is doing to prepare for the big day, which is childbirth. These contractions do not mean that labor has begun or is about to begin.
These are usually most common in the third trimester of pregnancy. However, some people can experience this as early as the second trimester. This is very common, so there is no need to worry too much about it.
How does this false pain feel?
Many people describe this as a feeling of tightness in one area of the stomach, especially the upper part, and then a feeling of release. It's like a muscle in your stomach tightening and then giving out. For some, it can feel like a mild stomach ache like the one you get when you start your period .
The important thing is that, although Braxton Hicks contractions can be uncomfortable for you, they do not actually cause the cervix to open, which is when labor begins.
Here's how these differ from the real thing:
- The pain doesn't increase in frequency, it stays the same.
- The pain doesn't get worse.
- It is usually felt only in the front part of the stomach.
Why do these Braxton Hicks contractions occur?
There are several reasons for this. Think of your uterus as an athlete preparing for a big competition. It practices little by little. This is the same way.
Here are some of the main reasons:
- Dehydration: The main and most common cause of this is not getting enough water in the body. It is very important to drink plenty of water during pregnancy.
- Your activities: This type of pain can occur if you stand for a long time, lift heavy objects, or have sex.
- Baby's movements: This pain can also occur when the baby inside the womb moves back and forth, stimulating the uterus.
- Bladder fullness: This pain can occur even when you have to urinate and are holding it back.
- Vomiting or nausea: If you are vomiting due to an illness, you may also experience stomach cramps like this at that time.
The biggest question: How do you know if this is real pain or fake pain?
This is the biggest question every pregnant mother has. "Do I need to go to the hospital now? Or will this just go away?" You might be wondering. Ask yourself these questions to really understand the difference between the two. This chart will help you a lot.
| Point of comparison | False contractions (Braxton Hicks) | True Labor |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency of pain | It doesn't come in any pattern. It's irregular. The pain comes and goes, but the time interval doesn't decrease. | It keeps coming, in a specific pattern. At first, every 20 minutes, then every 10, then every 5, and so on. |
| The intensity of the pain | It doesn't get more intense over time. It may be intense at first and then decrease. | The pain gradually increases and can become unbearable. |
| Difference with movement | If you change your position, walk a little, or rest, the pain will go away. | No matter what you do (walk, sleep, change positions), the pain doesn't stop. It keeps coming. |
| The place where the pain is felt | It's usually only felt in the front part of the stomach. It feels like a slight tightening. | The pain may start in the lower back and move to the abdomen, or it may spread throughout the entire abdomen. |
| Other features | There are no other characteristics. | A mucus plug may come out of the vagina. There may be water breaking or a little bleeding. |
Other stomach aches during pregnancy
Besides Braxton Hicks, there are other causes of abdominal pain during pregnancy, and it's important to be aware of these as well.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
The risk of UTIs increases during pregnancy. As the uterus grows, it presses on the bladder, which can obstruct the flow of urine. If you have symptoms such as frequent urination along with lower abdominal pain and burning when urinating, it could be a UTI. If left untreated, it can progress to kidney infection and lead to preterm labor, so see your doctor immediately if you have these symptoms.
Gas or Constipation
During pregnancy, hormonal changes slow down the digestive process. This can lead to gas , bloating, and constipation. While this doesn't harm the baby, it can be very uncomfortable for you. You can control this by drinking plenty of water and eating foods high in fiber (fruits, vegetables).
Placental Abruption
This is an emergency . The placenta, which provides oxygen and nutrition to the baby, separates from the uterine wall before the baby is born. This usually happens towards the end of pregnancy. If you experience sudden, severe abdominal or back pain, or vaginal bleeding, go to a hospital or emergency room (ETU) without delay.
Round Ligament Pain
As the uterus grows, the ligaments that support it stretch. This can cause sharp, stabbing pain in the side of your abdomen. This pain may come and go for a few seconds when you stand up suddenly, roll over, or cough. This is not dangerous.
When should we be concerned about Braxton Hicks?
If you have any concerns about what you're feeling, don't just assume, "This will just go away," and don't be afraid to talk to your doctor. They're there to answer your questions.
Seek medical advice immediately, especially if you have these symptoms:
- If there is any type of vaginal bleeding .
- If your water breaks (continuous flow of a water-like liquid)
- If you are showing signs of true labor (gradual increase in pain, coming at regular intervals) before 37 weeks .
- If you have severe pain every 5 minutes for an hour .
- The pain is so severe that you can't even walk with it.
- If the baby's movements (stirring) have decreased significantly (usually less than 10 movements within 2 hours ).
How to get relief from Braxton Hicks pain?
This is not a disease, so no special treatment is needed. However, you can try these simple things to reduce the discomfort:
- Drink a glass or two of water. This pain often occurs when the body is dehydrated.
- Change your position. If you're standing, sit down. If you're sitting, walk around a bit.
- Take a warm bath. Warm water relaxes muscles and provides relief.
- Relax. Take a nap, listen to your favorite song, read a book. Relax.
- Get a light massage.
Take-Home Message
- Braxton Hicks contractions are a "training" contraction that prepares the uterus for labor. They are a normal occurrence during pregnancy.
- True labor gets harder and harder, comes at regular intervals, and doesn't stop even when you change positions.
- False contractions (Braxton Hicks) are irregular, do not get stronger, and go away with activities such as walking or resting.
- If you have any concerns about the pain you are experiencing, or if you have any of the warning signs mentioned above, do not delay and contact your doctor.
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