Braxton Hicks or REAL Contractions??

It's my understanding that if you get up and walk-around B-H stop; whereas, real ones keep going.
Blessings and congratulations!

With my first child I only had very mild Braxton Hicks in the last month. They were just the slight sensation of rythmic tightening in my abdomen - they would only last for about an hour or two at the most. With my second child I had Braxton Hicks in the last month as well, however they were much more like actual labor contractions and did cause my husband and I to put our hospital bag into the car on more than one occasion! I tell everyone that with my second I was in labor for at least three weeks :))

You will know however, when you are in actual, bonafide labor. Rarely does it happen so quickly that you will be taken by surprise and have to rush to the hospital at break neck speed. Your contractions will consistently and progressively become stronger, longer and more intense in general. That being said, you should not feel "pain" with either Braxton Hicks or actual labor. I gave birth to both of my children using the Hypnobirthing Method, a technique using deep relaxation exercises and imagery. I felt absolutely no "pain" with either of my labors or deliveries. I was able to give the process over to my body and trust that it knew naturally what to do. Birth is a natural process that should not be feared. Our bodies are made for birth and we simply need to trust in the process in order to aleviate fear and "pain".

I wish you the best birth possible and hope that you will experience it as naturally as is possible for you and your baby.

I too am 38 weeks and expecting my third child. Congrats.

I was also induced with my first child, but I went into spontanious labor (at 37.9 weeks) with my second...

MY Braxton Hicks contractions were painful, uncomfortable and caused my abdemon to get really hard. They were also long and disorganized. I would have one for 15 minutes and then not another one for an hour.

REAL contractions are very organized. You can look at the clock and watch that the next one will come at the same time or sooner than the last. They come in waves and there is no doubt they are real. I was concerned with #2 that I was in false labor, but the contractions were very convincing.

Good luck with YOUR #3.

Braxton Hicks are not painful by definition of what they are until the very end, which some of the time they can become more painful. Most women have them from about six weeks on, but you can't feel them. I remember feeling them with my last pregnancy at about 14 weeks on. This pregnancy I haven't felt them as much at all, and I'm 22 weeks along now, but I'm sure I'm probably having them.

Near the end of pregnancy, they can sometimes be uncomfortable, especially if the baby is in a weird position and it pushes on you weird, but it shouldn't be painful like a contraction. It should be more like pain caused from having the baby squished against you inside. They do contract your uterus and you will feel it tighten like you've described. So, if it starts REALLY hurting (pain beyond a baby squishing your insides), it could very likely no longer be Braxton Hicks.

There is also something called early labor. This can hurt and it almost sounds like what some of the other ladies are thinking is Braxton Hicks (though they could also be describing Braxton Hicks). Early labor is when you dilate from 0-3 cm. Once you hit 4 cm, you enter into active labor. The difference between Braxton Hicks and early labor is that your dilate.

But early labor can last for days and days before you go into active labor. It really depends on the woman and on her labor. Some women it'll only last a few hours and then they will transition into active labor. Some women, early labor is very painful (seems to often be especially with the first baby), and with other women, early labor is not painful at all. I've experienced both. With my first, I had days of early labor, with 24 hours of it being painful enough to keep me awake at night. With my second, it wasn't painful until I was almost dilated to 4 cm. So it really depends on the person/birth.

It does sound like you're having Braxton Hicks to me, though, since it's not painful and it isn't really regular contractions. For me, I KNEW when I was in labor. I could no longer deny it. In most women, their contractions get much more regular, last longer, and become quite painful. If they come every five minutes and are lasting for 60 seconds or if they become painful (the pain is from the contraction itself, not from how it's pressuring the baby against you - that is the type of pain to look for - you'll recognize it if you feel it!), to call your doctor/midwife.

Anyway, hope that helps some.

Well, you've already got 2 kids ... while you were induced, you probably had contractions at some point, they hurt like none other! heehee!! BH contrx DO hurt as well and I believe do cause your stomach to harden, just like in a real contraction, ya know.

I would say, though since you are 38 weeks, you could be having the real deal. Generally, I think they say, drink a glass of water and lay on your "right or left" side (ugh - can't believe I've forgotten which is the correct side to lay on) ... for like an hour and see if they stop ... real contractions likely won't.

Good luck!!!!!! :-D Let us know what happens! :-D

The tell tale way to know the difference is two things: 1) Braxton Hicks will typically go away with rest (lying down or sitting and putting your feet up 2) Braxton Hicks do not occur regularly (ie, at 10 minutes intervels). Contractions will get stronger over time and will come on a regular basis. Good luck and Congrats!

wiith the braxton hicks they normall arent consistent they will stop but with real contractions they will continue to get harder and last longer if it gets 5 min. apart and are real consistdent u should call your doctor and ask them if its real or not you will know!

N.,
Congrats on your soon to be new baby. As for the contractions- the Braxton Hicks will eventually stop and they do not progress. I had these with my last 2. With my youngest I would get contractions every night for about 2 weeks before I had him. I would go take a warm shower and relax- they would stop. Then one night I took a shower- went to bed and in the morning woke up still having contraction- this time it was the real thing. Yeah. My baby will be 13 in April.

D.

Well, by me being a mother of 6 kids lol, Real labor pains start from the back, and work their way to the front. And are more painful then braxton hicks contractions. Plus they don't subside.

You have some great advice here, but I just want you to know that there are some people that just don't feel alot of pain even when they are in labor. This happened to me--everyone told me it will be so painful I could barely walk. Well--my pain NEVER got that bad so it was hard to measure the time and consistency bc it was so hard to tell if it really was a REAL contraction. Then my water broke and even after that I had very little pain. So don't just go by your pain. Call your doctor if you have ANY reason to think you are going into labor!! Good Luck!! :)

I can only tell you that I felt tightening with a small amount of pain, but certainly nothing to go the hospital over. I just happened to have my weekly OB appointment that afternoon. Turns out I was dialated and in labor. My OB sent me straight to the hospital. I was already scheduled for a C-section which was done at 6:00 that evening instead of a week later as planned. I guess everyone is different. Good luck!

Sounds like you're having Braxton Hicks. With real contractions, the pain is great and you can't really talk through them.
That's how my Dr. explained it to me. On the phone, he knew if it was real or not. I couldn't talk through the real ones.

Hi N., this is how you know when they are real, when one comes on, you will double over unwillingly with pain. I would time them and if they are consistant, then call your doc and talk with him/her about it. Good Luck and Best Wishes :D