Need to Know About Difference Between Braxton's and Real Contractions

I had contractions on and off for three days before my water broke. My contractions never got regular with my second baby so they had to induce me after my water broke. It sounds like you might be getting close. My doctor's office said to drink a full glass of water and lay on my left side. I guess if they go away when you do that then you aren't in labor yet. If they keep going then its the real thing. Good luck!

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I was taught that if you empty your bladder, drink a large glass of water (16 oz) in less than 5 minutes, and get up and move around and you are still have contractions than you are in labor. If they stop, then you are have Braxton's contractions. Even if they are far apart and don't seem very strong, you could still be in labor. That happened to my cousin. The contractions weren't that strong and they would be 15 minutes apart, than 5 than 10 again. They were so varied that she wasn't sure. But she was in labor and by the time she went to the hospital she was dilated to 9 1/2 centimeters! I would call your doctor if you are unsure, that's what they are there for. Good luck and congrats on the soon to be baby :) I hope it's a girl.

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Braxton Hicks will come and go, labor pains will not go away. I don't know how you tell other than that. I think a mother just knows when it's the real thing. I guess other than your mucus plug or fluid leaking, you'll have to give it time to find out. Good luck. Hope it's a girl:)

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Hi C.,

Sounds like labor is trying to start (early labor). They are Braxton Hicks contrx, but at the next level! Your body knows it's time, but need the hormones to build. This may go on & off for a couple of days, stop completely, or you may go into more intense regular contractions.

Real contractions will continue to increase in frequency, intensity, & last longer, of course this will take time, BH usually irregular in intesity & frequency.

Try changing your activity: real contrx will continue, BH contrx will usually stop. A shower will cause: real contrx to continue and possibly intensify them, BH to stop.

Don't dismay if it stops, your labor pattern can change @ any time & turn into the real one's, so be ready, but relaxed.

Is baby still moving around?

Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids and continue to eat normally. Usually smaller, more frequent meals set better. Take time to rest, otherwise you can probably go about your daily activities. You don't want to deprive your body of food, fluids, or rest, otherwise you'll be exhausted and have no fuel for energy when you do go into labor.

If you're not sure, call your Dr/Midwife, that's what they're there for!

Good luck to you! Also CONGRATULATIONS!

K. :-)

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To tell if I was having Braxton Hicks contractions, I would jump in the shower or bath and once I relaxed they would go away.

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What i was always told if you can walk and talk through the contrations then they are braxtons but if you can't START TIMING THEM

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Braxton Hicks are more common with the 3rd pregnancy, and if they are going away, I would say that's what they are, if it were real labor, the pain would only intensify. I know with my 3rd, the braxton hicks got more severe the closer I got to delivering, and I delivered #3 at 37 weeks. Good luck!

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It sounds like it could be the start. Braxton hicks are more uncomfortable than painful and the real thing won't go away, it will only intensify. By the way, congrats and I could so use a mom's night out too. Let me know once things settle down for ya. I have a sinking suspicion you could use it more than me right now lol. 3 kids under 3 my god woman....lol

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Hi C., I am 20 weeks along with my 3rd baby, and I have had braxton hicks all through my pregnancies. I did however know when I was 30 weeks with my son that it was no longer just Braxton Hicks, I went to the hospital to find that I had gone into pre term labor as well, but was actually put on Magnesium sulfate, and shots of steroids to help his lungs develop. I guess the only way that I could tell is that they were coming every 1-2 minutes and each one would get stronger. Also with the Braxtons they would give me Tributeline as well and that would stop it, but that time I was too far into it to stop it with that. I would tend to say that you will know the difference because of the intensity of them, and how often they come, and how long they last. When you are having them do you get the urge to pace the floor back and forth? I know I did. I wore a hole in the carpet...lol. Anyway you are full term so just let nature take it's course now. Good luck to you and your growing family. My bet is that you will be a new mom again within the next few days:)

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Sounds like Braxton Hicks/false labor so far. The real contractions will continually get stronger and closer together. They won't go away when you lay down on your side like the Braxton Hicks contractions will. If it is bothersome, lay down on your side for awhile and see if they go away. If they don't, and instead get closer together and stronger, you're in labor. Congrats on your soon to be new addition! Wow, 3 kids under 3- I hope they get along well so you are able to get some rest occasionally! Good luck! =)

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