Recognize Contractions

Contractions may be painful, but they also signal that your baby is about to arrive, which is an exciting moment. If you think that you might be in labor, then it’s important that you know how to recognize real contractions versus false labor. You’ll be able to recognize contractions if you know what labor contractions feel like, know what Braxton Hicks contractions feel like, and know what round ligament pain feels like.

Steps

Recognizing Labor Contractions

1. Notice if contractions are regular. Real labor contractions will quickly develop a pattern of duration and frequency. While the length of time that you experience the contractions and the time between them will vary, the changes will be progressive and steady.
   • You will be able to expect when the contractions will happen.
   • There will not be gaps of time where the contractions stop, such as an hour long break.
2. Time contractions to track duration and frequency. Use a timer, clock, or watch that tracks seconds to see how long your contractions last. Labor contractions last from 30-70 seconds. Then see how much time passes between contractions to determine the frequency, which is how often your contractions are coming. As you get closer to delivery, your contractions will last longer and happen more often.
   • Time the contractions from beginning to end. This is the duration of the contraction.
   • The time between contractions shows the frequency.
3. Notice if the pain is getting more intense. Labor contractions get more painful and longer as they progress toward the baby being born, so judge the intensity of your pain to see if it feels like it’s increasing.
   • Use a scale of 1-10 to judge the pain as it comes. If the ratings are steadily increasing, then you may be having labor contractions.
4. Watch for radiating pain in your lower back and upper belly. You will feel labor contractions in your lower back and upper belly, which will differ from other types of pain associated with your pregnancy, such as Braxton Hicks contractions or stretching muscles.
   • Pain not in your lower back or upper belly is most likely not a real labor contraction. If the pain persists, contact your health care provider immediately.
5. Try to talk or laugh during the pain. As your labor contractions progress, you will not be able to talk or laugh during the contraction. If you are able to talk or laugh, then you are probably not having labor contractions.
6. Look for pressure on your pelvis. Since your labor contractions mean that your body is getting ready for the birth of your baby, you should start to feel pressure on your pelvis that coincides with the pain of the contractions. If you’re starting to feel that pressure, then you are likely having labor contractions.
7. Check for the bloody show. With real labor contractions, you should see red or pink spotting in your underwear. Contractions can cause the blood vessels in your cervix to burst, which results in a bloody spot. With false labor, this spotting will not occur.
8. Change your activity level or position to see if pain increases. While resting or changing positions can stop false labor pains or pain from stretching muscles, real labor contractions will not stop no matter how comfortable you make yourself. If you continue to feel pain after you get into a relaxing position, then you are likely in labor.

Recognizing Braxton Hicks Contractions

1. Check if they’re irregular. Notice the gaps in between your contractions to see if they vary in length. Braxton Hicks contractions will be inconsistent and will ebb and flow, while real labor contractions will steadily build.
   • For example, you may notice that you’re having pains every few minutes for half an hour, but then the pain stops for an hour.
   • Alternatively, you may realize that the pain is happening at odd intervals, such as every minute for a few minutes, but then every five minutes for the next half hour.
2. Consider if you’re feeling discomfort or tightening. Most women describe Braxton Hicks contractions as uncomfortable but not that painful. Braxton Hicks contractions also feel like you’re experiencing a tightening in your abdomen.
3. Notice if they’re in your lower abdomen rather than your lower back. Real labor pains will radiate from your back, while Braxton Hicks contractions are mostly located in your lower abdomen. The discomfort or tightening of a Braxton Hicks contraction will begin in the top of the abdomen and move down into your lower abdomen.
4. Time the contractions. Use a timer, clock, or watch that shows seconds to find out how long your pain is lasting. Braxton Hicks contractions normally last for about 15-30 seconds.
   • If your pains are shorter, then they are unlikely to be real labor pains or Braxton Hicks contractions. Call your doctor if the pain persists.
   • If your pains last longer, then you may be having labor contractions.
5. Try to feel your baby’s movement. If you can feel your baby moving around, then the discomfort is probably Braxton Hicks contractions. The movement of the baby can cause the discomfort, and you shouldn’t feel your baby during labor contractions.
6. Change your position to see if they stop. Shift to a more comfortable position, then rest for 15-30 minutes. If your pain stops, then it was likely Braxton Hicks contractions. Braxton Hicks can be caused by certain positions and can be alleviated by resting in a better position. Real labor contractions, however, cannot be relieved by changing positions.

Recognizing Round Ligament Pain

1. Look for pain shooting up and down your sides. Round ligament pain is caused by your muscles stretching due to the baby’s growth. As your muscles stretch, the pain will shoot down your sides and into your groin. Since you’re feeling pains through your stomach and pelvis, you may think that you’re in labor; however, these muscle pains are in the wrong area.
2. Check if the pain is caused by movement. Round ligament pain will occur when you change positions, cough, sneeze, or use the bathroom. Pay attention to when you’re feeling the pain to see if it could be caused by your stretching muscles. It will help to rest for several minutes to see if the pain subsides.
   • When you feel pain shooting down your sides, sit or lay down in a comfortable position. Take a few calming breaths, but don’t inhale too deeply because it might cause your muscles to spasm again.
   • If the pain goes away, then it is likely round ligament pain.
   • If the pain does not go away or happens frequently, call your healthcare provider.
3. Time the duration of your pain. Round ligament pain can last for a few seconds or minutes, but it’s usually not recurring. Use a timer to track how long the pain is lasting.
   • Remember that labor contractions usually last from 30-70 seconds, so short bursts of pain are likely not contractions.
   • If your pains are sharp and happen at irregular intervals, they are probably not contractions.

Tips

• Drinking water and light exercise can help with Braxton Hicks contractions.
• Distract and comfort yourself when you’re having contractions.

Warnings

• If you’re under 37 weeks and think you’re in labor, call your healthcare provider.

Sources and Citations

See also

• Become a Doula in Wisconsin
• Write a Birth Plan
• Treat Postpartum Pain
• Deliver a Baby
• Speed Up Labor
• Have a Baby Boy
• Check a Cervix for Dilation
• Give Birth at Home
• Prepare Yourself for Labor and Delivery
• Do Nipple Stimulation to Induce Labor

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