Braxton Hicks vs Real Labour: The Ultimate "Is This It?" Guide Your uterus has been practising contractions since roughly week 20 of your pregnancy. That is not a metaphor. Your uterus is a muscle, and like any ambitious muscle, it trains long before the event. These practice contractions are called Braxton Hicks — named after the British doctor John Braxton Hicks, who first described them in 1872, presumably after someone asked him "is this it?" for the third time that week. The problem is that towards the end of your third trimester, Braxton Hicks contractions become more frequent, more intense, and more convincing. Your uterus is, at this point, like a method actor who has been in character for so long that even they're not sure what's real anymore. Here is how to tell the difference. ## Braxton Hicks: The Rehearsal Braxton Hicks contractions: Are irregular. They come and go without pattern. 10 minutes apart, then 25 minutes apart, then not for an hour. Labour contractions become progressively more regular and more frequent. Do not intensify with time. A Braxton Hicks contraction might feel strong, but if you lie down, have a drink of water, or change position, it usually eases. Labour contractions intensify regardless of what you do. They are not interested in your comfort. Do not get longer. Braxton Hicks contractions tend to last 30-60 seconds and stay roughly the same length. Labour contractions start at 30-45 seconds and build to 60-90 seconds. Stop with movement or rest. If walking around makes them go away, it is likely Braxton Hicks. If walking around makes them worse, it is likely labour. Are often felt in one area. Braxton Hicks are frequently felt only in the front or only in the abdomen. True labour contractions often start in the lower back and wrap around to the front — a belt of pressure that is extremely distinct once you have felt it. ## Real Labour: The Main Event Real labour contractions: - Come at least every 10 minutes and progressively closer together - Last 45-90 seconds and get longer as labour progresses - Get stronger and more painful regardless of position or activity - Follow the 5-1-1 rule: contractions are 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute each, for at least 1 hour — this is when most health workers want you to call or come in - Are often accompanied by lower back pain that does not ease between contractions - May come with a show (a small amount of blood-tinged mucus as the cervical plug releases) or waters breaking ## The Waters Breaking Only around 10% of labours begin with the waters breaking before contractions. If your membranes rupture (your amniotic sac breaks), you will notice either a sudden gush of fluid or a slow, continuous trickle — it depends on whether the rupture is high up or low down. Unlike urine, you cannot control it. If your waters break, call your health worker or maternity unit immediately, even if you have no contractions. You will need to come in for assessment because once the membranes have ruptured, there is an increased risk of infection entering the uterus. ## When to Go In Call your midwife or go to the maternity unit immediately if: - Your waters have broken (any time) - Contractions are following the 5-1-1 pattern - You have any vaginal bleeding heavier than a light show - Your baby is moving much less than usual - You have severe or constant abdominal pain (not in waves) - You feel something is wrong — maternal instinct is clinically significant. Trust it. ## The Part No One Prepares You For Very active early labour often looks less dramatic than TV suggests. You may be able to talk through contractions in early labour. You will almost certainly not be able to talk through active labour. The difference is unmistakable. When people say "you'll know," they mean: active labour is a full-body, all-consuming experience that leaves no ambiguity. The question "is this it?" resolves itself completely somewhere between 5 and 7 centimetres.

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⭐ Labour & Birth · Up next

The Stages of Labour: What Actually Happens and How Long It Takes

Labour has three distinct stages and can last anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days. Here's what your body is doing at each stage, what it feels like, and what the medical team are tracking.

7 min read

Braxton Hicks vs Real Labour: The Ultimate "Is This It?" Guide Your uterus has been practising contractions since roughly week 20 of your pregnancy. That is not a metaphor. Your uterus is a muscle, and like any ambitious muscle, it trains long before the event. These practice contractions are called Braxton Hicks — named after the British doctor John Braxton Hicks, who first described them in 1872, presumably after someone asked him "is this it?" for the third time that week. The problem is that towards the end of your third trimester, Braxton Hicks contractions become more frequent, more intense, and more convincing. Your uterus is, at this point, like a method actor who has been in character for so long that even they're not sure what's real anymore. Here is how to tell the difference. ## Braxton Hicks: The Rehearsal Braxton Hicks contractions: Are irregular. They come and go without pattern. 10 minutes apart, then 25 minutes apart, then not for an hour. Labour contractions become progressively more regular and more frequent. Do not intensify with time. A Braxton Hicks contraction might feel strong, but if you lie down, have a drink of water, or change position, it usually eases. Labour contractions intensify regardless of what you do. They are not interested in your comfort. Do not get longer. Braxton Hicks contractions tend to last 30-60 seconds and stay roughly the same length. Labour contractions start at 30-45 seconds and build to 60-90 seconds. Stop with movement or rest. If walking around makes them go away, it is likely Braxton Hicks. If walking around makes them worse, it is likely labour. Are often felt in one area. Braxton Hicks are frequently felt only in the front or only in the abdomen. True labour contractions often start in the lower back and wrap around to the front — a belt of pressure that is extremely distinct once you have felt it. ## Real Labour: The Main Event Real labour contractions: - Come at least every 10 minutes and progressively closer together - Last 45-90 seconds and get longer as labour progresses - Get stronger and more painful regardless of position or activity - Follow the 5-1-1 rule: contractions are 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute each, for at least 1 hour — this is when most health workers want you to call or come in - Are often accompanied by lower back pain that does not ease between contractions - May come with a show (a small amount of blood-tinged mucus as the cervical plug releases) or waters breaking ## The Waters Breaking Only around 10% of labours begin with the waters breaking before contractions. If your membranes rupture (your amniotic sac breaks), you will notice either a sudden gush of fluid or a slow, continuous trickle — it depends on whether the rupture is high up or low down. Unlike urine, you cannot control it. If your waters break, call your health worker or maternity unit immediately, even if you have no contractions. You will need to come in for assessment because once the membranes have ruptured, there is an increased risk of infection entering the uterus. ## When to Go In Call your midwife or go to the maternity unit immediately if: - Your waters have broken (any time) - Contractions are following the 5-1-1 pattern - You have any vaginal bleeding heavier than a light show - Your baby is moving much less than usual - You have severe or constant abdominal pain (not in waves) - You feel something is wrong — maternal instinct is clinically significant. Trust it. ## The Part No One Prepares You For Very active early labour often looks less dramatic than TV suggests. You may be able to talk through contractions in early labour. You will almost certainly not be able to talk through active labour. The difference is unmistakable. When people say "you'll know," they mean: active labour is a full-body, all-consuming experience that leaves no ambiguity. The question "is this it?" resolves itself completely somewhere between 5 and 7 centimetres.

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