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Everyone know when it comes time to deliver a baby, they will experience contractions that will be quite painful. After all, these contractions are what is going to help your baby through the birth canal into the real world. What most aren't prepared for are the contractions that are going to happen well before labor and can be confusing, especially to the first time mother.

These contractions are called Braxton Hicks contractions and are named after the physician who first documented them, Dr. John Braxton Hicks. These contractions are more or less "practice" contractions, exercises in which your uterus is doing to prepare itself for the big moment.

For some people they are short and only happen rarely, while others might have them a good portion of the time. Most of the Braxton Hicks contractions you might have will not be noticed. But any time you have Braxton Hicks contractions you should report this to your physician and note the frequency.

Braxton Hicks contractions are virtually painless. They do however, feel the same as a regular contraction, but without the pain. When a muscle tightens, it gets hard and when it loosens it gets soft again. The uterus is a muscle and will tighten and loosen. Usually you will feel the tightening at the top of the belly, or uterus and it will start to move down to the bottom, near the cervix.

Sometimes it may feel as if the skin over the belly is tightening as well. The entire uterus will become hard and nothing will move freely. During a contraction, the fetus will not move. But don't worry, there is no harm being done to the child while these are happening.

The size of your belly will also decrease as everything is being "squeezed."

Many times, these contractions are completely normal and harmless; and will not happen on a constant basis. In the event they do become very regular, you should contact your doctor immediately. When these contractions happen too often in a given time period, it can induce stress on the baby and you may need to be given a medication such as terbutaline.

Terbutaline is a medication that is used a brochiodialator and in cases such as this, a muscle relaxant for the uterus. It does have effects on the body such as jitteriness and shakiness. But these effects do not harm the fetus.

Many new mothers believe a Braxton Hicks contractions is the real thing and head off to the hospital, only to be disappointed. "Sorry, that wasn't a real contraction." They are real, but not labor inducing. Don't be disappointed if you have one and are told it is not time. The longer the baby is in there the better.

Braxton Hicks contractions are the warm up before the game. Practice makes perfect and when the time comes, these "exercises" are helping your body prepare for that big moment.

Learn more about this author, Sarah E. Sanuth.
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