It feels like a very bad cramp taking over the entire lower abdomen. It's so powerful it's hard to talk for a few seconds but then it goes away. I am a fitness instructor and in the middle of teaching class I started experiencing them and just had to pause for a moment and breathe until they passed.
Those last ones are what I remember the best, and they were the most powerful. They'd start slowly, not even a contraction, really, but a feeling like blood was rushing from all of my extremities directly to my center and culminating in full-bellied tightening that would take my breath away. These contractions sometimes forced me to sit silently and unmoving for the few minutes they lasted.
They would happen throughout the whole course of my pregnancy, and I made sure to mention them to my doctor every visit, just in case having them meant something was wrong. I would feel movement all the time and it was only when I was at my midwife appointment a few days before birth that she told me I was having [a Braxton Hicks contraction] because the surface of my belly was hardening [Editor's note: it's common for your stomach to feel tight during Braxton Hicks contraction].
To me it felt like a kick. Thankfully it wasn't painful. I joked to my hubby wistfully; 'It's tiiiime! It had to be. Until my midwife checked my cervix to see I was only three centimeters [dilated].
She almost chuckled when she saw my face drop. You will know the difference because when you're having real contractions you won't be able to talk, much less move and organize your pillows to have an Instagram-worthy delivery photo. Whenever a Braxton-Hicks contraction came, it was not only the physical sensation but also the curiosity about if this was 'go time,' which was a mix of panic and pain. They can occur at any time throughout pregnancy.
Real labor contractions can be painful, and the pain tends to intensify. It usually peaks when the muscles tighten and eases when they relax. The location of the pain varies, but real contractions typically cause a dull ache around the abdomen and lower back.
In some women, the pain spreads to the sides and thighs. Labor typically starts with regular, persistent contractions.
These cause the cervix to expand in preparation for birth. 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. The test takes 30 to 45 minutes, and will usually show your baby is fine. Sometimes further tests, such as an ultrasound, are recommended, and this will be discussed with you before you head home. If you have an assessment one day and have the same concerns later, call your midwife or doctor and, if needed, arrange a reassuring check.
Vicki Sharpe is nursing and midwifery unit manager for acute care, antenatal and pregnancy day stay at the Royal Hospital for Women in Sydney. Note : This timeline is approximate only. Associate Professor Andrew Bisits looks at the importance of maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy.
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