Braxton Hicks Contraction Research Paper
Introduction
Contractions of the uterus can occur throughout pregnancy. Contractions are not always a sign that you are in labor. Contractions that occur before labor are called Braxton Hicks contractions, or false labor. These contractions are sometimes confused with true labor.
What are Braxton Hicks contractions?
Braxton Hicks contractions are contractions of the uterus that occur before labor. Toward the end of pregnancy (32–34 weeks), Braxton Hicks contractions can develop more often and may become more forceful. This is not true labor because the contractions do not result in opening (dilatation) and thinning of the cervix. Braxton Hicks contractions are sometimes difficult to tell apart from true labor because they can be just as forceful, …show more content…
and because women have different pain tolerances. You should not feel embarrassed if you go to the hospital with false labor.
Sometimes, the only way to tell if you are in true labor is for your health care provider to look for changes in the cervix. The health care provider will do a physical exam and may use external electrical monitoring to measure the activity of your uterus. With Braxton Hicks contractions, the exam should show that your membranes are intact.
If there are no prenatal problems or other health problems associated with the pregnancy, it is completely safe to be sent home with false labor and await the onset of true labor.
How can you tell the difference between true and false labor?
False labor
The contractions of false labor are usually shorter and not as hard as those of true labor.
The contractions are usually irregular.
The contractions are often felt in the front of the lower abdomen and in the groin.
The contractions may go away when you walk around or change positions while lying down.
The contractions get weaker and are shorter lasting as time goes on.
The contractions do not usually become progressively stronger, regular, and closer together as with true labor.
True labor
Contractions in true labor last 30–70 seconds, become very regular, usually become more intense, and increase in frequency.
The contractions do not go away with walking.
The discomfort is usually felt in the top of the uterus and spreads to the lower abdomen and low back.
Your health care provider may use an exam to determine true labor. This will show that the cervix is dilating and getting thinner.
Follow these instructions at home:
Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
Keep up with your usual exercises and follow other instructions given by your health care provider.
Eat and drink lightly if you think you are going into labor.
If Braxton Hicks contractions are making you uncomfortable:
Change your position from lying down or resting to walking, or from walking to resting.
Sit and rest in a tub of warm water.
Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
Dehydration may cause these contractions.
Do slow and deep breathing several times an hour.
Keep all follow-up prenatal visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
You have a fever.
You have continuous abdominal pain.
Get help right away if:
Your contractions become stronger, more regular, and closer together.
You have fluid leaking or gushing from your vagina.
You pass blood-tinged mucus (bloody show).
You have vaginal bleeding.
You have low back pain that you never had before.
You feel your baby’s head pushing down and causing pelvic pressure.
Your baby is not moving as much as it used to.
Summary
Contractions that occur before labor are called Braxton Hicks contractions, or false labor.
If there are no prenatal problems or other health problems associated with the pregnancy, it is completely safe to be sent home with false labor and await the onset of true labor.
Braxton Hicks contractions do not usually become progressively stronger, regular, and closer together as with true labor.
Your health care provider may use an exam to determine true labor. If you are in labor, the exam will show that the cervix is dilating and getting
thinner.
Contractions of the uterus can occur throughout pregnancy. Contractions are not always a sign that you are in labor. Contractions that occur before labor are called Braxton Hicks contractions, or false labor. These contractions are sometimes confused with true labor.
What are Braxton Hicks contractions?
Braxton Hicks contractions are contractions of the uterus that occur before labor. Toward the end of pregnancy (32–34 weeks), Braxton Hicks contractions can develop more often and may become more forceful. This is not true labor because the contractions do not result in opening (dilatation) and thinning of the cervix. Braxton Hicks contractions are sometimes difficult to tell apart from true labor because they can be just as forceful, …show more content…
and because women have different pain tolerances. You should not feel embarrassed if you go to the hospital with false labor.
Sometimes, the only way to tell if you are in true labor is for your health care provider to look for changes in the cervix. The health care provider will do a physical exam and may use external electrical monitoring to measure the activity of your uterus. With Braxton Hicks contractions, the exam should show that your membranes are intact.
If there are no prenatal problems or other health problems associated with the pregnancy, it is completely safe to be sent home with false labor and await the onset of true labor.
How can you tell the difference between true and false labor?
False labor
The contractions of false labor are usually shorter and not as hard as those of true labor.
The contractions are usually irregular.
The contractions are often felt in the front of the lower abdomen and in the groin.
The contractions may go away when you walk around or change positions while lying down.
The contractions get weaker and are shorter lasting as time goes on.
The contractions do not usually become progressively stronger, regular, and closer together as with true labor.
True labor
Contractions in true labor last 30–70 seconds, become very regular, usually become more intense, and increase in frequency.
The contractions do not go away with walking.
The discomfort is usually felt in the top of the uterus and spreads to the lower abdomen and low back.
Your health care provider may use an exam to determine true labor. This will show that the cervix is dilating and getting thinner.
Follow these instructions at home:
Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
Keep up with your usual exercises and follow other instructions given by your health care provider.
Eat and drink lightly if you think you are going into labor.
If Braxton Hicks contractions are making you uncomfortable:
Change your position from lying down or resting to walking, or from walking to resting.
Sit and rest in a tub of warm water.
Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
Dehydration may cause these contractions.
Do slow and deep breathing several times an hour.
Keep all follow-up prenatal visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
You have a fever.
You have continuous abdominal pain.
Get help right away if:
Your contractions become stronger, more regular, and closer together.
You have fluid leaking or gushing from your vagina.
You pass blood-tinged mucus (bloody show).
You have vaginal bleeding.
You have low back pain that you never had before.
You feel your baby’s head pushing down and causing pelvic pressure.
Your baby is not moving as much as it used to.
Summary
Contractions that occur before labor are called Braxton Hicks contractions, or false labor.
If there are no prenatal problems or other health problems associated with the pregnancy, it is completely safe to be sent home with false labor and await the onset of true labor.
Braxton Hicks contractions do not usually become progressively stronger, regular, and closer together as with true labor.
Your health care provider may use an exam to determine true labor. If you are in labor, the exam will show that the cervix is dilating and getting
thinner.