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All About Women

A patient-centered practice for all stages of a woman's life

Gainesville, FL (352) 331-3332
6440 W Newberry Rd, Ste 111

Lake City, FL (386) 754-1744
4447 NW American Ln, Ste 102

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Blog / Pregnancy & Prenatal Care / Labor or Not? Learn About Braxton Hicks Contractions

Labor or Not? Learn About Braxton Hicks Contractions

December 28, 2015 By Site Admin

prenatal-care

For a pregnant woman, waiting for a new baby can be like a kid waiting for Santa Claus – the anticipation (and growing discomfort) can make the last few weeks of pregnancy seem never-ending.

What’s more, there’s no sure date when baby will come. Instead, expectant moms have to wait for “signs” that labor has begun. One pregnancy phenomenon that can send many moms to the hospital early are Braxton Hicks contractions. These contractions are sometimes referred to as “false labor” because they can convince even the most seasoned mom that labor has begun. Named after the English obstetrician John Braxton Hicks who first described them, BH contractions are ones that don’t actually produce labor.

These contractions are sometimes called warm-up or toning contractions because they’re thought to help tone the uterus for the work of childbirth. Compare this to true labor contractions, which actually dilate the cervix. It’s hard to tell the difference though, because Braxton Hicks contractions can feel very strong and reoccur.

Wonder how to tell the difference? Here’s a cheat sheet:

  • Change your activity. Usually if women sit down for awhile, drink some water, or take a bath, BH contractions will go away. True contractions, on the other hand will remain.
  • Check the frequency. BH contractions are usually irregular and steady in their intensity while true contractions are regular and heighten in intensity.
  • Look for other signs of labor. Do you have watery discharge or brown-tinged mucous? Loose stools or lower back pain? The start of labor is usually accompanied by these signs.

Eventually, you may find that you have Braxton Hicks contractions regularly, such as at the end of the day or when you’ve overexerted yourself physically, and you’ll become more comfortable in recognizing them. But if it’s the first time you’ve experienced such contractions and you’re not sure if true labor has started, it’s always okay to call your caring pregnancy physician at Gainesville’s All About Women.

Keep reading about Braxton Hicks contractions in our Knowledge Center, or register online today with our affiliated hospital, North Florida Regional Medical Center, for a childbirth class.

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Filed Under: Pregnancy & Prenatal Care Tagged With: labor, pregnancy care, Well Woman care

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Being a patient-centered practice goes well beyond seeing patients in our office. We want to help you find important answers before you even step in the door. Our OB/GYN blog helps us accomplish this goal but more importantly, helps women like you better understand your unique health needs. Browse around and learn more about pregnancy, general women’s health, exciting new research and more!

Contact Us With Any Questions

All About Women Obstetrics and Gynecology – Gainesville

Gainesville
6440 W Newberry Rd, Ste 111
Gainesville, FL 32605
(352) 331-3332


All About Women Obstetrics and Gynecology – Lake Cit

Lake City
4447 NW American Ln, Ste 102
Lake City, FL 32055
(386) 754-1744


 

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Gainesville and Lake City OB/GYN Care
OB/GYN doctors at All About Women, Obstetrics & Gynecology offer personalized, technologically advanced obstetrics and gynecology services from Board Certified OB/GYB physicians. Besides expert women's healthcare, permanent birth control and prenatal care, OB/GYN doctors also offers advanced hysterectomy surgery in and around the Gainesville area.


Women's Health Care in Alachua & Columbia Counties
With offices in Gainesville and Lake City, Florida, All About Women, M.D. provides expert OB/GYN services covering the entire range of women's healthcare needs. Our OB/GYN physicians and nurse midwives provide expert care during pregnancy as well as state of the art in-office treatments for gynecologic disorders including Novasure endometrial ablation to treat/stop heavy menstrual bleeding.


Personalized & Expert Prenatal Care
Gainesville obstetricians at All About Women, M.D. help ensure pregnancy goes as smoothly as possible by offering the best prenatal care available. And for those having difficulty getting pregnant, AAW obstetricians and gynecologists offer couples the best infertility help and treatment available.


Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery: daVinci Surgical System
Clinic founder Dr. Anthony Agrios, Board Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist also specializes in the daVinci Robotic surgery system, a minimally invasive option commonly used for a hysterectomy and other procedures. Instead of creating several small incisions like traditional surgical methods, OB/GYN surgeons simply open one incision with the daVinci system to complete the procedure. Not only do patients experience less pain and blood loss, they recover and get back to normal much faster.


Pregnancy & Prenatal Care: Creative Pregnancy Announcement : Fruits for Pregnant Women

OB/GYN Tips: Choosing an OB/GYN : Robotic Hysterectomy

Infertility & Reproduction Health: Infertility Treatment : Permanent Birth Control

Women's Health: Preventive Care : Well Women Care : Mammogram Screenings : Abnormal Periods

Gainesville Maternity Care

 

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All About Women
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