Hi! This video is about Braxton Hicks contractions and real labor contractions and how you can tell
the difference. If you've been wondering: "What do Braxton Hicks contractions feel like?"
and "What do real labour contractions feel like?" hopefully this video will help :)
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Most women will experience Braxton Hicks contractions in their third trimester of pregnancy
but sometimes Braxton Hicks can start as early as 20 weeks of pregnancy. Usually Braxton Hicks
contractions gradually increase in regularity as pregnancy progresses. They generally feel
like uncomfortable but painless tightening that starts at the top of your baby bump
and spreads downwards. Braxton Hicks can cause your abdomen to become very hard and possibly look a
bit contorted and pointy and the contractions normally last between 15 and 30 seconds but
sometimes they can last up to a few minutes. They usually go away when you move or change positions
and they can be brought on by sitting or standing for long periods of time. If you find that
you're getting Braxton Hicks contractions and you've been standing up for a long time,
sit down for a little while and, if you find that you're getting Braxton Hicks contractions after
sitting down for a long time, make sure that you get up and walk around for a little while.
Braxton Hicks can also be brought on by strenuous activity such as heavy lifting or intense physical
exercise so please make sure that you're not overdoing it during pregnancy! If you do
engage in a few periods of strenuous exercise, make sure that you set aside time to relax - maybe
book a pregnancy massage or have a nice warm bath :) Braxton Hicks contractions can also be brought on
by dehydration so please make sure that you're drinking at least eight to ten glasses of water
per day. While Braxton Hicks contractions can be brought on by staying in a certain position
for too long, being a bit dehydrated or engaging in a strenuous activity, they're not usually
anything to worry about. Basically, they're just your uterine muscles flexing in preparation for
the big job that they'll be doing when labour begins. Braxton Hicks contractions don't dilate
your cervix but they do play a role in softening your cervix ready for cervical dilation to begin.
When it comes to real labour contractions, if you experience a spontaneous and natural labour
(which hasn't been chemically induced in the hospital) your contractions will start off slowly
and build up in frequency and intensity over time. The contractions of early labour are mostly felt
right down at the bottom of your abdomen and this might also be combined with some lower back ache.
Most women describe early labour contractions as feeling very similar to period pains.
You might experience some cramping, backache or both. You might also experience some dull
aching and heaviness right at the bottom of your tummy. In early labour, contractions can
last about 20 to 30 seconds and they usually come every 10 to 15 minutes or so but over
time as your labour progresses and your cervix dilates more and more your contractions will
increase in frequency and intensity. As your labour progresses, your contractions get stronger, longer
and closer together and the sensations spread right over your lower pelvis, over your abdomen,
right over your lower back, into your hips and possibly into your upper thighs. Also, the achiness
and cramping that you experience becomes more acute and intense and you might also find that
your abdomen is rising up during a contraction and tightening like with Braxton Hicks. During labour,
your longest contractions will probably come every couple of minutes and last up to 90 seconds. Unlike
Braxton Hicks, true labour contractions do not ease or disappear with a change of position or movement.
Labour contractions form a continuous pattern so you're looking to gauge consistency
over a period of a few hours to be sure that real labour has actually started. It's really important
to nail your hypnobirthing breathing techniques in preparation for labour contractions because
they're one of the best ways of keeping you calm and relaxed as your contractions get stronger
and longer. Please make sure that you learn and practice your hypnobirthing breathing techniques
during pregnancy - especially in your third trimester! Aside from experiencing Braxton Hicks
contractions, you might also experience what's called 'prodromal labour contractions' otherwise
known as 'false labour contractions'. To find out more about that, please watch my prodromal labour
video :) Thanks so much for watching this video today, I hope that you found it helpful. If you've got any
questions about Braxton Hicks contractions, please let me know by asking me a question
in the comments section beneath this video and I will get back to you as soon as I possibly can.
If you'd like to sign up to my next free hypnobirthing taster session on zoom, simply click
the link to my website in the video description and you can sign up to my next taster session.
If you're ready to do a full hypnobirthing course with me, why not check out my digital
hypnobirthing course? The link is also in the video description. Take care and see you in my next video!