by forme

Created on: March 22, 2009

I have asked this question many times in my life, and now that I've had a child and I'm pregnant again I no longer have to ask the question. Although sometimes it's hard to tell the difference and to know if that is actually what you are feeling. Most doctor's would tell you that if you are experiencing braxton hicks contractions you would feel a tightening of the stomach with no pain. It's the tightening of the uterus and most of the time will stop if you change positions or if you get up and walk around. Sometimes that's not the case, some women actually feel some pain when having braxton hicks contractions. They freak out because they think it's the real thing and they don't actually realize that braxton hicks contractions are actually false labor, it's preparing there body and uterus for labor. I have even heard women tell me that when they experienced braxton hicks contractions that they felt a fluttering under the rib cage while there stomach was hardening. Another woman told me that she felt as though her baby was going to fall out every time she had one, so it all depends on the woman and the child as to how braxton hicks contractions will or should feel like.

If you honestly want a good answer on how they feel I would talk to your doctor or some kind of medical professional, they would be able to give you a detailed description on how they should be felt and if you are feeling the right thing and that they aren't real contractions. For some women there isn't much difference between braxton hicks contractions and real labor contractions, so you really have to be careful and watch yourself and make sure you take notes if anything changes and tell your doctor about it. It could be serious if you think you are experiencing braxton hicks and it turns out to be real labor contractions, especially if it's your first pregnancy and you know nothing about it. Another thing that I've noticed about them is sometime they make you feel as though you are about to wet your pants or that you have already wet you pants, that is normal as well and shouldn't have to worry about it. You will feel that way a lot in pregnancy but with the braxton hicks it causes it to happen a lot more than any of us want it to. These are just my experiences and I'm not a doctor but I have dealt with it in the past so I kind of know a little about it. Enjoy your pregnancy though, it's a beautiful thing.

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