How do Braxton Hicks contractions feel

Braxton Hicks may be a term you've heard during pregnancy. Braxton Hicks can be frustrating for mamas-to-be because they're not actual labor contractions (what we want so we know that baby is coming). Braxton Hicks contractions are common during the third trimester, but can occur as early as your second. How you can tell Braxton Hicks contractions are happening: Braxton Hicks have no rhythm to them as in they're irregular in intensity and occurrence (you can't properly time them), they're usually infrequent, and they're unpredictable. Real labor contractions that indicate an impending birth DO have a rhythm you'll start to feel and will not normally be irregular; they'll increase time-wise and intensity wise. How Braxton Hicks contractions feel:

• Uncomfortable but not painful. You'll be able to walk and talk through them for the most part.
• They do not become more painful.
• They may taper off all of a sudden and vanish.

Braxton Hicks contractions aren't all bad or useless though. As it gets closer to your due date, Braxton Hicks contractions may become more intense and then the contractions are considered false labor, which are useful and they may help with the dilation and effacement process. Learn how to tell that you're really in labor. You can also learn about all the different stages of labor or how to deal with early labor.