Training Contractions: What They Are Like And When Do They Start

Top 7 Questions About Pregnancy Cramps

When you are expecting a baby, especially if for the first time, any incomprehensible sensations frighten you. Training or false contractions are often cause for concern. Let’s figure out whether it is worth being afraid of them and how not to confuse them with the real ones.

What are false contractions?

False, or training, contractions are also called Braxton-Hicks contractions – after the English doctor who first described them. It’s a tension in the stomach that comes and goes. This is how the uterus contracts, preparing for childbirth. False contractions tone the muscles in the uterus, and some experts believe they can also help prepare the cervix for childbirth. However, false contractions do not cause labor and are not signs of their onset.

What does a woman feel during false contractions?                

The expectant mother feels as if the abdominal muscles are tense. If you put your hands on your stomach, the woman can feel the uterus harden. Sometimes false contractions resemble menstrual cramps. They may not be very pleasant, but they are usually not painful.

Where are contractions felt?

Typically, a squeezing sensation occurs across the abdomen and in the lower abdomen.

How long do false contractions last?

The contractions last about 30 seconds at a time. Contractions can occur 1-2 times per hour or several times per day.

When do false contractions start?

The expectant mother can feel the contractions of the uterus as early as 16 weeks, but most often false contractions appear in the second half of pregnancy, from about 23-25 ​​weeks. They are also very common from week 30 onwards. If this is not the first pregnancy for a woman, false contractions can start earlier and happen more often. However, some women do not feel them at all.

False and real contractions – what are the differences?

Starting at about 32 weeks, false contractions can be confused with premature birth (a baby is considered premature if born before the 37th week of pregnancy). Therefore, it is important to know the difference between false and real contractions. While Braxton Hicks contractions can be quite intense at times, there are a few things that set them apart from labor pains.

  • They do not last long and happen infrequently, usually no more than once or twice an hour, several times a day. While in the first phase of real contractions, contractions can last 10-15 seconds, with an interval of 15-30 minutes. By the end of this phase, the duration of the contraction is 30-45 seconds, with an interval of about 5 minutes between them.

  • However, in late pregnancy, women may experience Braxton Hicks contractions every 10 to 20 minutes. This is called the prenatal stage – a sign that the expectant mother is preparing for childbirth.

  • False contractions do not get more intense. If the discomfort subsides, it is likely that the contractions are not real.  

  • False labor is usually not painful. With real contractions, the pain is much more intense, and the more often the contractions, the stronger it is.

  • False contractions usually stop when the activity changes: if a woman lies down after walking or, conversely, gets up after a long sitting.

Call your doctor or ambulance immediately if …

  1. Feel constant pain, pressure, or discomfort in your pelvis, abdomen, or lower back.

  2. Contractions occur every 10 minutes or more.

  3. Vaginal bleeding began.

  4. There is a watery or pinkish vaginal discharge.

  5. Notice that the fetal movement has slowed down or stopped, or you feel very unwell.

If the pregnancy is less than 37 weeks old, it could be a sign of premature birth.

What to do in case of false contractions?

If false contractions are very uncomfortable, try changing your activity. Lie down if you walked for a long time. Or, conversely, go for a walk if you have been sitting in one position for a long time. You can try lightly massaging your belly or taking a warm (but not hot!) Shower. Practice breathing exercises, while at the same time better prepare for a real birth. The main thing is to remember that false contractions are not a reason for worry. These are just some of the inconveniences that often accompany pregnancy.

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