PregnancyBraxton Hicks vs. Real Contractions — How to Tell the Difference
That tight, squeeze-y feeling in your belly might be practice contractions, or it might be the real thing. Here's how to read the signals, what each type of contraction actually feels like, and the one test that tells you which is which — in about an hour.
What Are Braxton Hicks Contractions?
Braxton Hicks contractions are involuntary tightenings of the uterine muscle. English physician John Braxton Hicks first described them in 1872. They help prepare the uterus for labor. I think of them like a rehearsal. The muscle fibers contract and relax, but they don't actually dilate the cervix. They don't move you closer to delivery.
Most women start feeling Braxton Hicks in the second trimester, around 20 weeks. Many women don't notice them until the third trimester, somewhere between 28 and 32 weeks. First-time moms sometimes mistake Braxton Hicks for real labor. Experienced moms tend to spot them faster, because they remember how it felt in a previous pregnancy.
A typical Braxton Hicks contraction lasts 30 seconds to 2 minutes. It usually feels like tightening or hardening across the front of your abdomen. It often starts near the top of the uterus and spreads downward. Your belly may feel noticeably firm to the touch. Braxton Hicks contractions are usually more uncomfortable than painful. But in the final weeks of pregnancy, they can get strong enough to make you stop and take a breath.
The critical point: Braxton Hicks are irregular. They don't follow a predictable rhythm. They don't get stronger over time. They don't build toward anything. They come and go on their own schedule.
What Real Labor Contractions Feel Like
Real labor contractions are different in almost every measurable way. They follow a pattern. They intensify. And they don't stop just because you change positions, drink water, or lie down.
The sensation usually begins in the lower back and radiates forward around the abdomen, like a wave that builds, peaks, and then subsides. Early labor contractions can feel like strong menstrual cramps. As labor goes on, contractions usually get more intense. They can feel like deep, gripping pressure that grabs your full attention. Most women can't talk comfortably through an active labor contraction.
Real contractions also get closer together over time. It might start as a tightening every 15–20 minutes. Each contraction tends to last longer as labor moves along. Early labor contractions last 30–45 seconds. Active labor contractions last 60–90 seconds.
There's usually a clear pattern. Honestly, that word is what best separates real labor from Braxton Hicks. Real contractions are going somewhere. They increase in frequency. They increase in duration. They increase in intensity. Braxton Hicks plateau or fade.
Real contractions often come with other signs. Not every woman experiences all of these, but real contractions rarely arrive in isolation. Understanding the full picture of the stages of labor helps you interpret what your body is telling you.
Braxton Hicks vs. Real Contractions: Comparison Chart
This side-by-side comparison covers the key differences. Use this as a quick reference when you're not sure which type you're having.
| Feature | Braxton Hicks | Real Labor Contractions |
|---|---|---|
| Pattern | Irregular, unpredictable | Regular, rhythmic, increasingly frequent |
| Intensity | Stay the same or weaken | Get progressively stronger |
| Duration | 30 seconds to 2 minutes, inconsistent | 30–90 seconds, gradually lengthening |
| Frequency | Random intervals (6 min, then 15, then 9) | Decreasing intervals (10 min → 7 → 5) |
| Location | Front of abdomen only | Lower back radiating to front |
| Response to movement | Fade with rest, position change, or water | Continue regardless of what you do |
| Pain level | Uncomfortable; sometimes mildly painful | Increasingly painful; demands full attention |
| Cervical change | No dilation or effacement | Progressive dilation and effacement |
If you're still unsure after reading the chart, the most reliable approach is to time your contractions for one hour. Look, the numbers don't lie. Use a contraction timer and look for a consistent, narrowing pattern in the frequency column.
What triggers Braxton Hicks contractions?
Braxton Hicks contractions usually don't come out of nowhere. Several common triggers set them off, and knowing these can help you manage them — and distinguish them from the real thing.
- Dehydration. This is the most common trigger. When your body is low on fluids, the uterine muscle becomes more irritable. A large glass of water often stops Braxton Hicks within 15–20 minutes.
- Full bladder. A full bladder presses on the uterus and can trigger contractions. Emptying your bladder often may reduce their frequency.
- Physical activity can trigger Braxton Hicks contractions. Exercise, lifting, prolonged standing, or even a busy day on your feet can bring on Braxton Hicks. Rest usually resolves them.
- Sex can trigger Braxton Hicks contractions. An orgasm releases oxytocin. Oxytocin causes uterine contractions. Braxton Hicks after sex are normal. Post-sex Braxton Hicks are not a sign of labor.
- Baby's movement. A very active baby can stimulate your uterus to contract. This is harmless. But it can still startle you, especially when the tightening feels strong.
- Touching or rubbing the belly. Touching or pressing on your abdomen can trigger a brief Braxton Hicks contraction. A prenatal massage can do this too.
The pattern is pretty consistent. If something irritates your uterus, it can tighten for a short time. When you remove the trigger (drink water, rest, or change positions), the contractions usually stop. Real labor contractions don't respond to these interventions. That's the practical test.
When Braxton Hicks Become Concerning
Most Braxton Hicks contractions are completely harmless. But certain situations warrant a call to your provider or a trip to the hospital:
- You are less than 37 weeks pregnant and having more than four contractions per hour. Frequent contractions before full term could mean preterm labor. Preterm labor requires immediate evaluation.
- The contractions become regular. They don't stop. If contractions you thought were Braxton Hicks start coming in a predictable pattern, they might be real labor. If they keep going even after rest, hydration, and position changes, they might be real labor.
- You notice vaginal bleeding. Any bleeding beyond light spotting with contractions needs medical assessment.
- You experience fluid leaking from the vagina. A slow trickle or sudden gush of fluid may indicate your water has broken, even if contractions are mild.
- Your baby's movement decreases. If you notice fewer kicks than usual while you're having contractions, contact your provider. Decreased fetal movement always warrants evaluation, with or without contractions.
- The contractions come with severe pain. Braxton Hicks that cause sharp, unrelenting pain, especially between contractions, may signal a complication like placental abruption.
Here’s the general rule. Braxton Hicks should be intermittent, manageable, and temporary. If any of those words stop applying, get evaluated. No provider will criticize you for calling.
How a contraction timer spots the pattern
The single best way to tell Braxton Hicks from real labor is to time your contractions. Your memory isn't reliable during contractions. Pain and anxiety can distort your sense of time. A contraction timer captures objective data.
Here's what to do, when you feel a contraction start, press start. When the contraction fades, press stop. Keep doing that for at least 30 minutes. Ideally, do a full hour. The timer records two critical numbers: duration (how long each contraction lasts) and frequency (time from the start of one contraction to the start of the next).
After an hour, look at the pattern. Braxton Hicks usually show random intervals, like 12 minutes, then 6, then 18, then 9. The durations will be inconsistent too. Real labor contractions usually show intervals that narrow (8 minutes, then 7, then 6). Their durations tend to stay steady or increase.
This data is also valuable when you call your provider. Saying, "my contractions are 5 minutes apart, lasting 50 to 60 seconds, for the past hour" gives the triage nurse a clear picture. Saying, "They've been coming for a while and I'm not sure," doesn't give the same clear info. That difference can change the advice you get.
The Pregnancy App contraction timer tracks duration, frequency, and count automatically. It calculates averages in real time and flags when your pattern matches the 5-1-1 rule — contractions every 5 minutes, lasting 1 minute, for 1 hour — the standard guideline for heading to the hospital.
What to Do If You're Not Sure
Uncertainty is normal. Even experienced mothers sometimes can't tell whether they're having Braxton Hicks or early labor. Here's a practical decision framework:
- Drink a large glass of water. Dehydration is the most common trigger for Braxton Hicks contractions. If the contractions ease within 20 minutes, they were almost certainly Braxton Hicks.
- Change your position. If you've been standing, lie on your left side. If you've been sitting, get up and walk slowly. Braxton Hicks often respond to position changes. Real contractions don't care what you're doing.
- Take a warm bath or a shower. Warm water relaxes the uterine muscle. Braxton Hicks frequently stop within minutes in the bath. Real contractions may feel more manageable, but they won't stop.
- Start timing. Use a contraction timer and track for one full hour. This is the most reliable step. The data usually gives you a pretty clear answer.
- Practice your breathing. Whether the contractions are Braxton Hicks or real, slow breathing exercises help you stay calm and manage discomfort. Breathe in through your nose for 4 counts. Breathe out through your mouth for 6–8 counts.
- Call your provider if the pattern continues. After an hour of regular, intensifying contractions, call your doctor or midwife. Call sooner if you notice warning signs. Describe the pattern using your timer data.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, don't wait the full hour. Call your provider or go to the hospital. A feeling that this is different from what you've been experiencing is a valid reason to seek evaluation.
TL;DR
- Braxton Hicks are irregular practice contractions that start as early as 20 weeks. They don't get stronger. Braxton Hicks contractions usually stop with rest, hydration, or a position change.
- Real labor contractions follow a regular pattern, get progressively closer together and more intense, and don't stop regardless of what you do.
- The most reliable test: time your contractions for one hour with a contraction timer. Braxton Hicks show random intervals. Real labor shows a narrowing, consistent pattern.
- Common Braxton Hicks triggers include dehydration, a full bladder, physical activity, sex, and baby movement.
- Call your provider if your contractions become regular and persistent. Call your provider if you're under 37 weeks and having frequent contractions. Call your provider if you have bleeding, fluid leaking, or decreased baby movement.
- When in doubt, call your provider or go in. No one faults you for getting checked.
Limitations & Safety
This page provides general educational information about Braxton Hicks contractions and real labor contractions. It is not medical advice and does not replace the judgment of your doctor, midwife, or healthcare provider. Every pregnancy is different. Gestational age, medical history, and pregnancy complications affect how a provider should evaluate contractions.
The comparison chart above represents general patterns. Some women experience Braxton Hicks that are unusually regular or painful. Some real labor begins with contractions that seem irregular at first. No written guide can account for every variation. When the information here conflicts with what your provider has told you, follow your provider's instructions.
A contraction timer is a decision support tool. It measures timing, not cervical dilation. Only a clinical exam can confirm whether your cervix is dilating. If you aren't sure whether you're in labor, contact your healthcare provider directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do Braxton Hicks contractions feel like?
Braxton Hicks contractions can feel like your belly is tightening or going hard. They’re usually painless or just mildly uncomfortable, not truly painful. The sensation typically starts at the top of the uterus and spreads downward. Most women describe them as a squeezing feeling that lasts 30 seconds to 2 minutes and then fades on its own.
When do Braxton Hicks contractions start during pregnancy?
Braxton Hicks contractions can start as early as the second trimester, around 20 weeks. A lot of women don't notice them until the third trimester, between 28 and 32 weeks. First-time mothers may not recognize them at all until late pregnancy. They usually get more frequent as your due date gets closer.
How do you tell the difference between Braxton Hicks and real contractions?
Real labor contractions follow a regular pattern. They get progressively stronger and closer together. Real contractions don’t stop when you rest, change positions, or drink water. Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular. They usually stay the same intensity or fade off. They typically fade with rest or hydration. Timing contractions for one hour with a contraction timer is the most reliable way to tell the difference.
Can Braxton Hicks actually hurt?
Yes. Most women describe Braxton Hicks as uncomfortable, not painful. But some women do get painful Braxton Hicks, especially in the final weeks of pregnancy. Here’s the thing, the key distinction isn’t pain level, it’s the pattern. Painful contractions that are irregular and stop with rest are still Braxton Hicks. Painful contractions that follow a consistent, intensifying pattern are more likely to be real labor.
How long do Braxton Hicks contractions last?
A single Braxton Hicks contraction typically lasts 30 seconds to 2 minutes. A run of Braxton Hicks (a few contractions in a row) usually lasts less than an hour. It stops on its own. If contractions keep going for more than one hour, they're more likely real labor contractions when the pattern is regular and getting stronger.
What triggers Braxton Hicks contractions?
Dehydration is a common trigger. Common triggers include a full bladder. Common triggers include physical activity or exercise. Common triggers include sexual intercourse. Common triggers include standing for long periods. The baby's movement can also set them off. Drinking water usually helps Braxton Hicks stop within minutes. Emptying your bladder usually helps Braxton Hicks stop within minutes. Changing position usually helps Braxton Hicks stop within minutes. Resting usually helps Braxton Hicks stop within minutes.
So, do you need to go to the hospital if you’re having Braxton Hicks contractions?
Braxton Hicks contractions on their own don't require a hospital visit. However, you should call your provider or go to the hospital if the contractions become regular and do not stop with rest, if you are less than 37 weeks pregnant and contractions are frequent, if you have vaginal bleeding, fluid leaking, decreased fetal movement, or severe pain. But if you're not sure, call your provider.
Can a contraction timer help tell Braxton Hicks from real labor?
Yes. A contraction timer is one of the most useful tools for distinguishing Braxton Hicks from real labor. It records duration and frequency objectively. After 30 to 60 minutes of timing, Braxton Hicks will show irregular gaps and inconsistent duration, while real labor contractions will show a clear pattern of decreasing intervals and increasing or steady duration.