Braxton hicks or Contractions?

[Nina83]

Stupid FTM question…
How do I know if these are BH or contractions?

 

[Pix]

Do they make you feel like you are going to die an agonizing death? Can you talk through them? Consistency?

Can always be early labor too!!

 

[EMSwife1124]

I'm FTM too but my Dr told me BH will go away with changing positions, drinking water, or walking a bit.
Real contractions are consistent and get more intense/closer together in spite of doing any of the things listed above.

I've had two bouts of pre term labor - I would time them the first time they started they got more intense over two hours and by the time I was at L&D they were every 5 minutes even though I had tried resting, walking, drinking water... The second time they were 2 minutes apart after 3 hours and I had to have medication to stop them.

Try timing them for an hour, if they are consistent and/or get closer to together more intense then I'd call your Dr or MW.

 

[Nina83]

OK, thanks.
I know I'm not going into labor. But isn't there also something called false contractions? Or is that just a fancy name for BH?
Everything contraction like before actually going into labor is BH?
A lot of women I know here who are expecting (on a different forum) are saying for a few months already that they have contractions.
I said my belly gets really hard a lot and sometimes painful and was told they're just BH.
So, am I missing something?

 

[Mummy to be x]

My early labour contractions didn't hurt much, I could easily talk through them, I mistook them for period cramping at first but they soon picked up and I certainly knew I was in labour.

 

[MummyToAmberx]

As FTM i was told same as post above - i didnt follow that though.

My BH hurt, they were timeable, drinking didnt help nor did walking.

Ive had 3 BH sessions of 4hrs worth every 4-5mins lasting 40sec then bam stopped.
I also in slow labour for 2w with my first.

Simple answer is : you will know.

The pain is so different and very intense.

 

[MummyToAmberx]

OK, thanks.
I know I'm not going into labor. But isn't there also something called false contractions? Or is that just a fancy name for BH?
Everything contraction like before actually going into labor is BH?
A lot of women I know here who are expecting (on a different forum) are saying for a few months already that they have contractions.
I said my belly gets really hard a lot and sometimes painful and was told they're just BH.
So, am I missing something?

They say BH do nothing to your body.
Where as false labour contractions will help soften/dilate the cervix.

I think some women do mistaken BH as contractions.

 

[AK89]

The difference between BH and contractions are that contractions are regular, and are usually more painful. The general rule is if you have 4 or more BH in one hour you should call the hospital to make sure it's not labour.

 

[StranjeGirl]

I am a second time mom and I can't tell the difference either lol! I have been having them since 16 weeks and it doesn't feel like the contractions I had when I was induced last time, but they do hurt. Last pregnancy the told me I was having contractions once they hooked me up the monitor (my induction day) but I couldn't feel anything- so honestly I don't really know what a natural contractions feels like! I haven't dilated as of yet, so I guess mine are just braxton hicks!