Braxton-Hicks Vs. Real Contractions: The Differences

If this is your first baby or if you have never had a Braxton Hicks contraction with your previous pregnancies, learning the different signs of real contractions can make a different in how you react when they start. Braxton Hicks contractions are your body's way of getting you ready for the real deal. They can be very scary for the new mommy and for those who have had children, but never experienced them before. Not panicking is the first and the most important step of determining whether or not you are in real labor or just experiencing Braxton Hicks. With Braxton Hicks contractions these are the most common feeling that you will feel.

1. Braxton Hicks will start to go away once you start to drink a few glasses of water.

2. Braxton Hicks will start to go away once you lie on your left side for more than an hour.

3. Braxton Hicks are usually very irregular and short contractions.

4. Braxton Hicks will not get any stronger if you walk around.

5. Braxton Hicks will start to go away if you take a warm or hot shower.

6. Braxton Hicks contractions will be felt at the top of the uterus or near the groin area.

Although Braxton Hicks contractions can and more than likely will be painful at times. Knowing the difference between them and true labor will definitely keep you from making an unnecessary trip to the doctors.

With true labor you will experience the following :

1. True labor contractions will continue to get stronger and stronger, regardless of what you do to stop them.

2. True labor contractions will get stronger the more you walk around.

3. True labor contractions will begin to thin out your cervix causing a "bloody show", which discharge that looks like bloody mucus.

4. True labor contractions can break your water.

5. True labor contractions will start from the middle of your lower back and move forward to your belly.

6. True labor contractions will more than likely make you feel nauseated or you might have diarrhea.

Yes, labor can be a scary part of your pregnancy, no doubt. But take from someone who has had seven children naturally. Knowing the difference between real labor pain and Braxton Hicks can take away some of the stress us Mother's do have while we are pregnant. If by any chance you feel that you are in labor, do not hesitate to go to the doctors. Sometimes it just take a doctor to tell you that your not in real labor to ease the thought of being worried.