Braxton Hicks contractions
Current as of: February 23, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Sarah Marshall MD - Family Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & William Gilbert MD - Maternal and Fetal Medicine
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Braxton Hicks contractions are a painless but sometimes uncomfortable tightening of the uterus. The contractions may be mild enough to go unnoticed or may be strong enough to make the woman stop what she is doing.
Braxton Hicks contractions might be considered "warm-up exercises" for the uterus during pregnancy. They can begin as early as the 20th week and increase through the 40th week (9th month) of pregnancy.
It is often hard to tell the difference between true labor and Braxton Hicks contractions. Braxton Hicks contractions:
True labor pains tend to last longer, become stronger, and occur closer together than Braxton Hicks contractions.
Current as of: February 23, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Sarah Marshall MD - Family Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & William Gilbert MD - Maternal and Fetal Medicine
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