Pregnant Labor Contractions

Pregnant Labor Contractions

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Contractions and signs of labor

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Contractions and signs of labor

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Learning the signs of labor before your due date can help you feel ready for your baby’s birth.
Signs of labor include strong and regular contractions, pain in your belly and lower back, a bloody mucus discharge and your water breaking.
If you think you’re in labor, call your health care provider.
Not all contractions mean you're in true labor. Learning the difference between true and false labor can help you know when it’s the real thing.
Labor (also called childbirth) is the process of your baby leaving the uterus (womb). You’re in labor when you have regular contractions that cause your cervix to change. Contractions are when the muscles of your uterus get tight and then relax. Contractions help push your baby out of your uterus. Your cervix is the opening to the uterus that sits at the top of the vagina. When labor starts, your cervix dilates (opens up).
As you get closer to your due date, learning the signs of labor can help you feel ready for labor and birth. If you have any signs of labor, call your health care provider .
You know you’re in true labor when:
If you think you’re in labor, call your health care provider, no matter what time of day or night. Your provider can tell you if it’s time to head for the hospital. To see for sure that you’re in labor, your health care provider measures your cervix.
You may be close to starting labor if:
If you have any of these signs, you may start labor soon. Learn the signs of labor so you know when to call your provider.
Not all contractions mean you’re in labor. You may have contractions on and off before true labor starts. These contractions are called false labor or Braxton-Hicks contractions. They soften and thin the cervix to help your body get ready for labor and birth. You may feel them in the weeks right before your due date. Learning the differences between true labor contractions and false labor contractions can help you know when you’re really in labor.
It can be hard to tell the difference between true labor and false labor. When you first feel contractions, time them. Write down how much time it takes from the start of one contraction to the start of the next. Make a note of how strong the contractions feel. Keep a record of your contractions for 1 hour. Walk or move around to see if the contractions stop when you change positions.
Preterm labor is labor that begins too early, before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Premature babies (born before 37 weeks of pregnancy) can have health problems at birth and later in life. If you’re not to 37 weeks of pregnancy and you have signs or symptoms of preterm labor , call your provider. Getting help quickly is the best thing you can do. Learn about risk factors for preterm labor and what you can do to help reduce your risk.
Stages of labor include the whole process of labor, from your first contractions (stage 1) to pushing (stage 2) to delivery of the placenta (stage 3) after your baby is born. Learning about the stages of labor can help you know what to expect during labor and birth.
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MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy .
1. Deborah A. Raines and Danielle B. Cooper; Braxton Hicks Contractions ; StatPearls Publishing (2020). 2. Common Discomforts During Pregnancy ; UNM Hospitals 3. Preterm labor ; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health 4. Preterm Labor and Birth ; The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 5. Preterm (Early) Labor ; UNM Hospitals (2016) 6. Pregnancy & Labor ; Indiana.edu 7. Contractions ; Healthdirect, Australian Government, Department of Health 8. Contractions During Pregnancy: What to Expect ; Healthwise Staff; British Columbia 9. Stages of Labour ; Mid Cheshire Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust 10. Labor F.A.Q ; Family Birth Place; University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System 11. When does labor usually start ; NIH
Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU). She has been into health and... more
Dr. Erica Montes is a Fellow of the American College of OB/GYN. She specializes in minimally invasive surgical procedures having done her training in the daVinci Robotic Surgical System. The Texas-based doctor has keen interest in high-risk obstetrics, gynecologic surgery, and abnormal uterine bleeding. She won the "Arizona Big Shot" award from the Arizona Partnership for Immunization in 2014, in... more
All contractions are not the same, and you need to identify the ones that indicate true labor.
Dr. Erica Montes is a Fellow of the American College of OB/GYN. She specializes in minimally invasive surgical procedures having done her training in the daVinci Robotic Surgical System. The Texas-based doctor has keen interest in high-risk... more
Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotec... more
MomJunction believes in providing reliable, research-backed information to you. As per our strong editorial policy requirements, we base our health articles on references (citations) taken from authority sites, international journals, and research studies. However, if you find any incongruencies, feel free to write to us .
Contractions during pregnancy refer to the sensation of tightness and hardness in the uterine muscles. During a contraction, the pain or cramping usually starts in the lower back and moves to the front. Some pregnant women may feel as if they are having heavy menstrual cramping or back pain and pressure; however, not all pregnant women experience the same sensation.
Read on to learn about the different types of contractions, how to manage them and keep yourself comfortable during active labor, and when to visit a healthcare provider. This article also addresses some frequently asked questions about pregnancy contractions.
You might have heard of the different names for contractions.
They are regarded as “prodromal” or false contractions that usually begin around the sixth week and get more pronounced in the second or third trimester. They are a normal part of pregnancy, and prepare the body for labor. They do not cause cervical dilation (1) .
The following may trigger Braxton Hicks contractions ( 1 ):
The following measures can help you to calm down or ease these contractions.
If these techniques do not help, consult your healthcare provider for medical assistance.
These regular and true labor/birth contractions occur before the pregnancy reaches full-term (before 37 weeks). In some cases, it may lead to preterm birth (3) .
You might be having preterm labor contractions if you have the following signs.
If you experience any of these, you should see a healthcare provider for further assessment.
Factors that increase the risk of preterm labor contractions include (4)
To lower your risk of preterm labor, you may follow these early treatment measures until you see a doctor. These measures might also help reduce your risk of having a preterm baby (5) .
These are slightly uncomfortable contractions that feel like mild to moderate menstrual cramps. The cervix dilates to about four centimeters in this case (6) .
Some of the common symptoms that one might experience are as follows (7) . All pregnant women may not have the same symptoms.
First-time mothers might have several hours of early labor contractions without any cervical dilation. You should go to the hospital or call your delivering provider.
These are painful contractions that become more pronounced and indicate that delivery is approaching. The cervix dilates to about four to ten centimeters in this stage (6).
The following symptoms may indicate active labor contractions (7) :
You may also experience nausea, lightheadedness, chills, hot flashes, gas, and vomiting, along with active birth contractions.
Contractions are caused when the pituitary gland releases the oxytocin hormone, which stimulates the uterine muscles to tighten and relax. These actions continue to help dilate your cervix and pushes the baby’s head onto the cervix to help it efface or thin more. (8) .
These are considered the most painful part of labor. They last for 60 to 80 seconds, with two to three minutes apart. The cervix dilates to about seven to ten centimeters (6) (9) . They are associated with intense pressure in the rectal and vaginal regions. You may also experience vomiting, nausea, and shaking.
The following measures might help you deal with the pressure and pain of contractions (10) .
Your doctor may discuss the pain management techniques, including oral medications and/or epidural anesthesia.
Once you are at the hospital after the true contractions have started, here is what you may expect:
You will usually start in the triage area and have two monitors placed on your abdomen to monitor the baby’s heart rate tracing and your contraction pattern. -You will be asked questions about your symptoms regarding pain, frequency and intensity of your contractions. The nurse will check your cervix and if you are found to be in active labor will you move to a labor room. -She will then call your doctor to know you are there and get any orders that may be necessary.
It depends on the type of contractions you are experiencing. True labor contractions are usually more painful than Braxton Hicks. But the intensity of pain varies from one woman to another.
2. Do Braxton Hicks contractions turn into real contractions?
Braxton Hicks contractions do not turn into real labor contractions. They are false contractions that do not cause cervical dilation or lead to birth (1) .
3. When do real contractions start during pregnancy?
Real contractions are likely to start after the 37th week. If they occur before the 37th week, they are considered preterm contractions (11) .
Distinguishing between the types of contractions during pregnancy is a challenging task. Nevertheless, it would be best to remain attentive to each signal your body gives you. There could be certain scenarios when you need to see a doctor soon, such as when you notice an increased frequency of contraction, vaginal discharge, severe pains, or feel any membrane ruptures. These may indicate that you are entering labor. Note the minutes of contractions, and hydrate yourself. Once you reach the hospital, the delivery team will be by your side to assist you towards a safe delivery.
Copyright 2011 - 2022 MomJunction Private Limited.
All rights reserved. This information is for educational purposes only and not a substitution for professional health services. See a medical professional for personalized consultation. Read for more information .

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy .
1. Deborah A. Raines and Danielle B. Cooper; Braxton Hicks Contractions ; StatPearls Publishing (2020). 2. Common Discomforts During Pregnancy ; UNM Hospitals 3. Preterm labor ; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health 4. Preterm Labor and Birth ; The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 5. Preterm (Early) Labor ; UNM Hospitals (2016) 6. Pregnancy & Labor ; Indiana.edu 7. Contractions ; Healthdirect, Australian Government, Department of Health 8. Contractions During Pregnancy: What to Expect ; Healthwise Staff; British Columbia 9. Stages of Labour ; Mid Cheshire Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust 10. Labor F.A.Q ; Family Birth Place; University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System 11. When does labor usually start ; NIH
Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU). She has been into health and... more
Dr. Erica Montes is a Fellow of the American College of OB/GYN. She specializes in minimally invasive surgical procedures having done her training in the daVinci Robotic Surgical System. The Texas-based doctor has keen interest in high-risk obstetrics, gynecologic surgery, and abnormal uterine bleeding. She won the "Arizona Big Shot" award from the Arizona Partnership for Immunization in 2014, in... more
All contractions are not the same, and you need to identify the ones that indicate true labor.
Dr. Erica Montes is a Fellow of the American College of OB/GYN. She specializes in minimally invasive surgical procedures having done her training in the daVinci Robotic Surgical System. The Texas-based doctor has keen interest in high-risk... more
Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotec... more
MomJunction believes in providing reliable, research-backed information to you. As per our strong editorial policy requirements, we base our health articles on references (citations) taken from authority sites, international journals, and research studies. However, if you find any incongruencies, feel free to write to us .
Contractions during pregnancy refer to the sensation of tightness and hardness in the uterine muscles. During a contraction, the pain or cramping usually starts in the lower back and moves to the front. Some pregnant women may feel as if they are having heavy menstrual cramping or back pain and pressure; however, not all pregnant women experience the same sensation.
Read on to learn about the different types of contractions, how to manage them and keep yourself comfortable during active labor, and when to visit a healthcare provider. This article also addresses some frequently asked questions about pregnancy contractions.
You might have heard of the different names for contractions.
They are regarded as “prodromal” or false contractions that usually begin around the sixth week and get more pronounced in the second or third trimester. They are a normal part of pregnancy, and prepare the body for labor. They do not cause cervical dilation (1) .
The following may trigger Braxton Hicks contractions ( 1 ):
The following measures can help you to calm down or ease these contractions.
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