What is the difference between labor and contractions

Contractions can also occur before labor. These are Braxton-Hicks contractions, sometimes known as prodromal, or false, labor. These contractions can begin around 6 weeks into gestation, but they are not usually noticeable until the second or third trimester. While the trigger for these contractions is unclear, their function is to prepare the body for labor.

Braxton-Hicks contractions tend to occur sporadically. They vary in frequency, duration, and intensity, but they usually occur more frequently during later stages of pregnancy. People often mistake Braxton-Hicks contractions for real labor contractions, especially when they occur in later stages of pregnancy.

Here are some key differences between the two:. Learning to tell the difference between types of contraction can help a person know when to contact a doctor. However, consult a doctor if there is any uncertainty.

Contractions are likely to be real if they occur in a regular pattern and gradually increase in frequency. Real contractions also tend to become painful, and the pain often spreads across the abdomen and lower back. In the buildup to labor, the baby may move down toward the cervix.

This can happen from a few weeks to a few hours before labor. Your pregnancy hormones are hard at work, sending messages to your body to slowly start the process of childbirth. Braxton Hicks contractions generally only last between 15 and 30 seconds, though they can be as long as two minutes. To help you distinguish between true and false labor, which usually means Braxton Hicks contractions, look for the following signs of each to see what you might be experiencing if you're not sure.

The difference is usually connected to the frequency, intensity and location of the contractions. Having no Braxton Hicks contractions is completely normal, and it won't be a problem when it comes time to deliver your baby.

Some pregnant women, especially first-timers, don't notice their Braxton Hicks. Others may not know what they are when they do feel them. While they're quite intense in some women, especially those who've had a baby before, they can be so mild in others just a slight tightening of the abdomen that they're overlooked.

In any case, don't worry if you're not experiencing Braxton Hicks, as you simply may not be tuned in to them, or you may get them later in your pregnancy. Some women feel Braxton Hicks in the second trimester, others in the third. Once you get closer to your due date, they can become stronger and more frequent though not always! Regardless, feel free to check in with your doctor to get your questions answered and for reassurance that all is humming along normally.

Pre-labor can last for a few hours or a month or more, and signs and symptoms can be different for every person and every pregnancy. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. What is labor? What are the signs of labor? A contraction is when the muscles of your uterus tighten up like a fist and then relax.

Contractions help push your baby out. They get stronger and closer together over time. You feel pain in your belly and lower back. This pain doesn't go away when you move or change positions.

You have a bloody brownish or reddish mucus discharge. This is called bloody show. Your water breaks. Your baby has been growing in amniotic fluid the bag of waters in your uterus. When the bag of waters breaks, you may feel a big rush of water. Or you may feel just a trickle. What are signs that you may be close to starting labor?

You may be close to starting labor if: Your baby drops or moves lower into your pelvis. This is called lightening. It means that your baby is getting ready to move into position for birth. It can happen a few weeks or even just a few hours before your labor begins. This is called show or bloody show. It can happen a few days before labor starts or at the beginning of labor. At a prenatal checkup, your health care provider tells you that your cervix has begun to efface thin and dilate open.

Before labor, your cervix is about 3. Home Blogs Topics Intermountain Moms Facebook Twitter. Are My Contractions the Real Thing?

What is Braxton Hicks? False vs.