Episode 113: Braxton Hicks Contractions vs. True Labor
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Episode 113 Content and Overview
Braxton Hicks contractions are sporadic “practice” contractions that many pregnant women experience during the second and the third trimesters. This episode talks about what they are, what they feel like, what can trigger them, and how you can find some relief. There are some key ways to distinguish between these practice contractions and real contractions. Knowing the signs of pre-term labor and labor and how to tell the difference between fake contractions and the real thing will you give you the confidence you need to decide when to call your doctor or midwife, when to go to the hospital or birth center, and when you just need to relax and wait it out. Listen to this episode for everything you need to know about Braxton Hicks.
Included in This Episode
- History of Braxton Hicks contractions
- What Braxton Hicks contractions feel like
- The role of Braxton Hicks contractions in labor
- Alleviating discomfort
- The difference between fake contractions and true labor contractions
- Measuring contractions
- When you should call your doctor or midwife
- Signs of preterm labor and labor
- Round ligament pain
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Hi,
This is Angela from China. I love preganancy podcast! Thank you for providing so much information for preganant women. I t is very helpful. I am now 26w+4 but experiencing Braxton Hicks and bleed a little bit three days ago and thank God it stopped bleeding. The bleeding might be caused because I carried something heavy (11kg ceramic sink) the day before, this is the only thing I could link to the bleed. Might not be the real reason, Doctor here is not sure either. Or it might be the sign of preterm labor. I went to the doctor and stay in hospital for two days. Doctor monitored the baby heart and gave me medicine to stop the bleed. However, after the bleed, I felt more BH. Almost Every time I change position from lie down to sit up or standup, it comes. If I sit for a long time, it comes like every hour for 30-40 seconds. Doctors in China will always tell you the worse cinario that they warn me this could be a sign of late trhreatened abortion. I am very nervous about it. I don’t know if such frequency is normal or I should pay close attention to this or even stay in the hospital to have drips to stop the possible BH Contraction. I would like to know in a more scientific way not the threatened words giving by the doctors here. BTW, when I lie down, BH won’t be so often, maybe once every 2-3 hours. Thank you and if you could reply, it would be highly appreciated.
Hi Angela! I am so glad you are finding the podcast helpful. Sorry to hear you are having Braxton Hicks contractions. I did do a full episode on those and you can listen to it here: https://pregnancypodcast.com/episode113/ That episode talks about some things you can do to help with Braxton Hicks contractions. Perhaps there is a remedy you ave not tried yet. It is good that you are talking to your doctor and I would keep them posted on any symptoms you are experiencing to be on the safe side. I hope you get some relief soon and best wishes for you and your baby.