confused about contractions

[mgarza_14]

What is the difference between braxton hicks and real contractions?  I have had cramps for 30 mins straight. Plz help

[mgarza_14]

Ok thank you! I will try the hot bath

[Lyndz4justin]

No probs. Why dont u try a bath to relax your muscles more. You can always call your midwife or community midwifes in hospital if ur at all worried or feel the pain is too strong after uv had paracetamol and a bath. My hot water bottle helps me or my tense machine wrks wonders. Good luck

[mgarza_14]

When I have the cramps I can feel them all the way to my lower back.

[mgarza_14]

Thank you, I have had them for 30 mins but not bad enough to not to walk. I can feel that they are getting stronger though. I am 36 weeks and dilated at 1 cm

[Lyndz4justin]

Real contractions generally cause discomfort or a dull ache in your lower abdomen and/or back.They cause pressure in your pelvis.It is common for some women to have pain in their sides or thighs.Women have described true labor contractions as being very similar to severe menstrual cramps or diarrhea cramps.True contractions occur at regular intervals and can last 30-70 seconds (on average, about a minute). Some signs that you're experiencing true labor and not Braxton Hicks are contractions every 5 to 10 minutes or less, having more than five contractions in an hour, regular ongoing pain in your back or lower abdomen, pressure in your pelvis or vagina, menstrual or diarrhea-like cramps, bleeding, fluid leak and nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

[Lyndz4justin]

Hope this helps; -
Braxton Hicks contractions are false, "practice" or uterus conditioning labor pains that occur before actual labor begins. They're true contractions that occur when the uterus tightens as a result of the hormone oxytocin; however, they're not strong enough to initiate labor. They're a perfectly normal part of pregnancy and can begin to occur as early as the second trimester, although they usually occur more commonly in the third trimester of your pregnancy; also, not every pregnant woman will experience them.

Braxton Hicks contractions are your body’s way of getting ready for actual labor. Initially they may be scary, especially as their intensity increases near the end of the pregnancy and you're not sure if it's the real deal or not. As such, for your peace of mind it's important to know how to identify the difference between false labor pains and the real thing.