“I think it`s like a light sting that goes almost as fast as it comes. Not painful, but you are certainly aware that it is there. You will quickly realize when you enter labor that Braxton Hicks cannot be confused with the pain of labor. “A long-term pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks. Babies born before week 37 may have difficulty breathing, eating and warming up. Preterm labor occurs between the 20th and 37th week of pregnancy, when uterine contractions cause the cervix, mouth, uterus or uterus to open earlier than normal. This can lead to premature birth. To try to stop your contractions, your doctor will ask you to rest on your left side (this position increases blood flow to the uterus), and if you seem dehydrated, she will give you intravenous fluids. These steps help stop contractions in about 50% of women. If your contractions stop and your cervix doesn`t expand for several hours of observation, you can probably go home. There is no treatment for Braxton Hicks contractions. But there are things you can do to relieve them, such as: Towards the end of your pregnancy, Braxton Hicks contractions can be more of a pattern and an increase in frequency and intensity. Many women often confuse Braxton Hicks contractions with the onset of labor.

But unlike labor contractions, Braxton Hicks contractions do not cause the opening (entry of the uterus) (dilation). You may have Braxton Hicks contractions during your third trimester of pregnancy or as early as your second trimester. They are normal and nothing to fear. UT Southwestern Medical Center: “False Alarm: Braxton Hicks Contractions vs. True Work.” In late pregnancy, you may experience Braxton Hicks contractions more frequently – perhaps as much as every 10 to 20 minutes. This is a sign that you are preparing for work, known as preparatory work. They may be uncomfortable, but they are not painful. Women often describe Braxton Hicks contractions as a feeling of mild menstrual cramps or a narrowing in a specific area of the stomach that comes and goes. At the 31st week of pregnancy, abdominal pain may occur frequently. You can feel everything from the pain of the round band to Braxton Hicks contractions to simple gas or constipation. Most of the time, this is nothing important, but always call your doctor if you are in pain and are not sure of the cause. Round ligament pain tends to occur with movement, such as getting up, turning around, coughing, sneezing or even urinating.

The pain can also move to your groin. It usually only takes a few seconds or minutes. If your doctor determines that you are really in labor, he will probably try to stop it, unless it is not advisable for medical reasons. (For example, doctors can`t stop preterm labor if they notice high blood pressure in the mother, uterine bleeding due to a placenta problem, or fetal distress signals such as a slow heart rate.) If you have concerns about premature contractions, talk to your doctor, who can recommend strategies to help you reach 40 weeks safely. If the pain or discomfort of your contractions goes away, it`s probably Braxton Hicks contractions. You`ve probably heard that as your due date approaches, your uterus occasionally contracts as it grows, stretches, and “practices” for childbirth. These exercise contractions are called Braxton-Hicks contractions and are completely normal. If you notice any of these signs of labor or more than four contractions in an hour, call your doctor immediately. You may be asked to come for an examination or to time your contractions. Your provider will tell you exactly what to do if it becomes necessary, but until then you can use our downloadable contraction tracker.

You can feel the contractions (your uterus tightens and relaxes) by lightly placing your fingertips on your belly. Using a contraction tracker gives you an idea of how often your contractions are and how long each one lasts, so you can share this information with your doctor. If you confuse them with prenatal contractions, you are not far from them because they are essentially the result of your uterus preparing for childbirth. Take advantage of these opportunities to practice your breathing exercises and learn to relax in the face of discomfort. But first and foremost, be aware of when they are just Braxton Hicks and when it might be time to go to the hospital. You are thought to be in preterm labour if you have uterine contractions every ten minutes (or more frequently), as well as cervical changes (dilation, thinning, softening) before the 37th week of pregnancy. Your doctor may have a hard time determining if you`re really in labor. They will probably tell you to go to the hospital (if you are not already there) where you can be carefully monitored. The possibility of preterm labor is a bit scary, but most women only experience Braxton-Hicks contractions. .

About Author

blackk