False contractions are generally felt by pregnant women in the last trimester, even though they are actually can occur also at an earlier gestational age. What do false contractions feel like and how are they different from labor contractions?
False contractions or known in the medical world as Braxton Hicks contractions are normal things that happen to pregnant women. Such contractions are a preparation of the uterus for labor and will appear more frequently as a sign that labor is approaching.
Recognizing the Signsa False Contraction
The uterus has actually been experiencing contractions since seven weeks of gestation, but the size of the uterus is not too big so pregnant women don't feel it too much.
Although they start early in pregnancy, false contractions generally don't start until 16 weeks of gestation. When these false contractions occur, they may not have a significant effect on pregnant women.
False contractions are characterized by tightening of the uterine muscles. To recognize it, you can place your hand on your stomach and feel how tense the abdominal muscles above your uterus are. False contractions generally last for about 30 seconds, no more than twice per hour and can occur several times a day.
To differentiate False Contractions and Labor Contractions
It is not uncommon for pregnant women to have difficulty distinguishing false contractions from labor contractions. You can tell the difference between real and fake contractions by looking at the time they occur, how they feel, as well as the duration and frequency of contractions.
To make it clearer, you can see the differences in detail, as follows:
- False contractions only occur 1-2 times an hour and only a few times a day, are irregular, and the time intervals of contractions are not close together. While labor contractions will be closer to the time of delivery, regular, and the time interval between contractions will shorten.
- False contractions last less than 1 minute, while labor contractions can last for more than 1 minute.
- A change in physical activity will stop false contractions, but it will have little effect on labor contractions.
- The force of the false contraction does not increase. On the other hand, labor contractions will increase, accompanied by increasing pain before delivery.
- False contractions are only felt in the front of the abdomen, while labor contractions start in the lower back and spread toward the front or vice versa.
Do This If There Are False Contractions
Although rarely painful, false contractions can still be uncomfortable for pregnant women. Some ways to work around this:
- Changing body position
Try to take a walk. It could also be the other way around, resting when false contractions begin to be felt while on the move. Relaxation techniques such as taking deep breaths can be practiced to help restore a sense of well-being.
- Drink or eat
Drinking a glass of water, tea, or eating food can also be done to minimize discomfort during false contractions.
- Hot shower
Pregnant women can take a warm bath for about 20-30 minutes to relax the body.
False contractions can happen at any time and are not dangerous. However, if the gestational age has not reached 37 weeks and contractions occur more than 4 times an hour, then be aware of the possibility of premature labor.
Also pay attention if the amniotic fluid comes out of the vagina, which is a watery and slimy fluid, blood spots, bleeding from the vagina, or the pressure in the pelvis increases like a baby pushing to be born. If these things happen, you should immediately contact your midwife or doctor.
Mothers need to recognize the difference between false contractions and contractions that are a sign of impending labor, especially when the stage of pregnancy has entered the final trimester of pregnancy.