Braxton Hicks contraction
You may have heard this funny
phrase before you got pregnant, but now you want to know what it means. The
term originated in 1872 when an English physician named John Braxton Hicks
described the contractions that occur before actual labor.
Imagine constantly thinking, “This must be it,” only to find
out that it wasn’t. Doctors and pregnant
women should thank Dr. Hicks for clearing up the confusion. The following
information should help you determine the difference between real labor and
Braxton Hicks contractions.
What are Braxton Hicks contractions?
Braxton Hicks contractions can
start as early as the second trimester. However, they most often occur in the
third trimester. When this happens, the uterine muscles contract for about 30
to 60 seconds, and sometimes up to two minutes.
Braxton Hicks contractions are
also called "practice contractions" because they are preparation for
a real event and allow you to practice the breathing exercises taught in
childbirth classes.
Braxton Hicks is described as:
- Irregular in intensity
- Infrequent
- Unpredictable
- Non-rhythmic
- More uncomfortable than painful (although for some women Braxton Hicks can feel painful)
- They do not increase in intensity or frequency
- They taper off and then disappear altogether
- If your contractions are easing up in any way, they are most likely Braxton Hicks.
What causes them?
There are possible reasons for
these reductions. Some doctors and midwives believe they play a role in toning
the muscles of the uterus and improving blood flow to the placenta. They are
not thought to play a role in dilating the cervix, but may have some effect on
softening the cervix.
However, because Braxton Hicks
contractions intensify closer to the time of delivery, contractions are often
referred to as spurious labor. When this happens, it can help the expansion and
erasure process.
What triggers them?
Here are the Braxton Hicks
triggers:
- When the mother or the baby is very active
- If someone touches the mother’s belly
- When the bladder is full
- After sex
- Dehydration
What can I do to ease Braxton Hicks contractions?
- Change positions. You can lie down if you have been standing or go for a walk if you have been sitting or laying
- Take a warm bath for 30 minutes or less
- Because contractions may be brought on by dehydration, drink a couple of glasses of water
- Drink a warm cup of herbal tea or milk