What are Braxton Hicks contractions?

The Braxton Hicks contractions are sporadic uterine contractions that start about six weeks of pregnancy, though you can not really feel it so soon. May not start to notice them until sometimes in mid-pregnancy.

As pregnancy progresses, Braxton Hicks contractions, which are not experienced by all women, become more common, but until recent weeks become infrequent, irregular and almost painless. Sometimes this kind of contractions are difficult to distinguish from the signs of a birth premature.

By the time you only miss a few weeks to the date of delivery, these contractions may become more intense and more frequent, and can cause you great discomfort.

Unlike the less painful and sporadic Braxton Hicks contractions the start of your pregnancy, they can help make your pelvis soften and even to dilate a little.

In the weeks or days before pregnancy Braxton Hicks contractions may become rhythmic, relatively close to each other and even painful, so you might suggest you're in labor. But unlike real contractions, they do not become longer, stronger or occur over shorter periods.