The question of "Is this labour?" is sometimes not an easy one to answer. This is because the individual differences of women's bodies can be so varied (and at times, not strictly 'textbook'). In most cases, recognising the typical signs of prelabour, as distinct from the signs of active (or established) labour, can be quite easy. But sometimes even the 'expert' caregivers can get it wrong!
Most women will experience some form of prelabour in the hours, or days, prior to starting the early or active phases of the 1st stage of their labour. Prelabour can present as one, or a number, of physical signs. The key point to remember is that if you are experiencing prelabour, it is 'just the beginning'. The labouring woman's body is getting ready to labour, just as the baby is becoming ready for the journey out of their protective uterus and into the outside world.
Many women will also wonder how they will know the difference between Braxton-Hicks contractions and the 'real ones'. Braxton-Hicks contractions tend to stop once the woman stops, or changes her position (such as walking, swimming, or standing then sitting), true contractions will keep going, regardless of what the woman is doing.
Braxton-hicks contractions may:
 |
Start from 8 weeks gestation. |
|
Feel like a 'tightening', hardness or cramping of the belly. |
|
Not be noticed, especially by first time mothers. Or |
|
Be painful, or become noticeable, especially for second and third time mothers, from about half way through their pregnancy. |
|
Usually not be as regular, or strong as labour (or some prelabour) contractions. |
Unlike prelabour contractions, Braxton-Hicks contractions do not thin or open (dilate) your cervix.