What do braxton hicks feel like
- how frequent should braxton hicks be
- how regular can braxton hicks be
- how painful should braxton hicks be
- is it bad to have frequent braxton hicks
When do braxton hicks start!
Really painful braxton hicks
Braxton Hicks contractions
What are Braxton Hicks contractions?
Braxton Hicks contractions are intermittent uterine contractions that start in early pregnancy, although you probably won't notice them until sometime in the second trimester or third trimester.
Some women never notice them. They're named for John Braxton Hicks, the English doctor who first described them in 1872.
"Braxton Hicks contractions are a normal and expected occurrence for most women," says Shannon Smith, M.D., an ob-gyn at Brigham Faulkner Ob/Gyn AssociatesOpens a new window in Boston and member of the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board.
Advertisement | page continues below
As your pregnancy progresses, Braxton Hicks contractions tend to happen more often, but until your last few weeks, they'll probably remain infrequent, irregular, and mostly painless.
However, sometimes Braxton Hicks contractions are hard to distinguish from early signs of preterm labor, so play it safe and don't try to make the diagnosis yourself.
If you're having regular contractions and haven&#x
- how often is too often for braxton hicks
- how often is normal to feel braxton hicks