Difference Between True Labour Pain And False Labour Pain: Real Contractions Vs Braxton Hicks

Are you pregnant for the first time? Or expecting a baby for the second or third time around? Every pregnancy is different, but what’s common in most is labour pain. Labour pains are usually expected somewhere close to or a little after the estimated due date (if dates are calculated appropriately). However, some women may experience surprise contractions quite early. At times, as early as the second trimester!

So, what do these early contractions mean? Is it a sign of something amiss or for you to make a dash to your hospital? Well, the answer is - none! These early labour pains that you might be experiencing are, in all probability, Braxton Hicks contractions, or false labour¹. Since they feel a lot like actual labour pain contractions, most expectant parents become concerned and anxious, causing them to head to the hospital frequently. One way to avoid this is to make yourself aware of the difference between true labour pain and Braxton Hicks contractions.

Braxton Hicks Contractions²

When Do They Start?

Braxton Hicks Contractions - or false labour - may occur as early as the second trimester, but more often they show up during the third trimester.

How Frequent Are They?

Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular, infrequent, and non-rhythmic. They do not increase in intensity, frequency and duration with time. They rather decrease and disappear only to reappear at some other time.

How Do They Feel?

Braxton Hicks contractions feel uncomfortable but are not painful like true labour. Some women describe them as akin to menstrual cramps or tightening of the abdomen in a specific area that comes and goes.

However, unlike true labour, Braxton Hicks contractions do not cause dilation and thinning of the cervix.

True Labour Contractions

When Do They Start?

For most women, true labour contractions may start around the 38th to 41 weeks of pregnancy³. If true labour contractions begin before the 37th week, they are classified as premature labour⁴.

How Frequent Are They?

The frequency of true labour contractions are spaced evenly (for instance, every 5-10 minutes). This frequency gets shorter and shorter over time⁴.

How Do They Feel?

True labour contractions occur in a regular pattern. You may feel pain in your pelvis and back, similar to your menstrual cramps. True labour gets more painful and intense over time³.

True labour occurs with the release of the hormone oxytocin that stimulates the uterine contractions. These contractions tighten the upper uterus to push the baby down toward the birth canal, in preparation for childbirth⁵. 

Other Signs Of True Labour Pain

Some common symptoms act as a clue to approaching labour pain. Here’s what they are³:

1. Lightening

An early sign of labour pain would be “Lightening”. Lightening is a term used to describe the descent of the fetal head toward the pelvis, which might occur a few weeks prior to the start of actual labour. At this time, you might experience frequent urges to urinate since the fetal head exerts increased pressure on the mother’s bladder. Some women also find it easier to breathe as the downward fetal movement decreases the pressure on the diaphragm.

2. Mucus Plug Release

The cervical glands produce mucus to block the cervical passage in order to prevent infection during pregnancy. When the fetal head pushes on the cervix, cervical mucus and some amount of blood is expelled in the form of a blood-tinged or brown discharge from the vagina. This expulsion of the mucus plug typically occurs a few days before or after the labour starts.

3. Water Break

The membranous amniotic sac, that cushions the fetus, is filled with amniotic fluid. When this sac ruptures close to your due date, the amniotic fluid leaks from the vagina, which is called ‘water breaking’. This fluid leak is often immediately followed by spontaneous labour pain. If the labour does not begin despite the rupture, it may be induced as soon as possible.

It needs to be noted that these signs and symptoms of labour pain are not uniform among pregnant women as they differ in every pregnancy.

True labour pain and false labour pain are entirely different, even though they may seem similar. Therefore, it is important to keep yourself aware of these differences in order to avoid unnecessary anxiety and stress during pregnancy. If you have any doubts, though, do reach out to your doctor.