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

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4447 NW American Ln, Ste 102

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Home / Blog / Pregnancy & Prenatal Care / 7 Interesting Facts About Braxton Hicks Contractions

7 Interesting Facts About Braxton Hicks Contractions

November 28, 2017 By Liliana Zapien

understanding Braxton Hicks contractions

We all know someone who it has happened to—a woman rushes to the hospital thinking she’s in labor, only to find out that her contractions are only Braxton Hicks.

Braxton Hicks contractions can be hard to distinguish from actual labor, even for second or third-time moms.

Braxton Hicks contractions are named after the English doctor John Braxton Hicks, who was the first to notice and describe that women often felt contractions even when they were not ready for birth.

7 Interesting Facts About Braxton Hicks Contractions

  1. Braxton Hicks contractions are, in fact, contractions. However, they aren’t as intense, they are irregular and they aren’t strong enough for dilation or pushing out the baby.
  1. BH contractions can start as early as 6 weeks, but most women don’t notice them until after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Braxton Hicks generally get stronger the further along you are in your pregnancy.
  1. Dehydration can cause Braxton Hicks contractions. While “eating for two” isn’t necessarily good advice during pregnancy, drinking enough water for two is definitely important.
  1. Alternatively, having a full bladder can cause BH contractions. A full bladder can irritate the uterus and cause contractions.
  1. BH contractions often occur in women toward the end of the day. Your muscles are more tired at the end of the day, and you’re more likely to be dehydrated. Make sure to take breaks throughout the day and drink plenty of water.
  1. Sex can cause BH contractions. An orgasm releases oxytocin, causing muscles to contract. Men’s sperm also contains prostaglandins, which can cause false contractions.
  1. BH contractions can be relieved. Real labor contractions cannot be relieved. To alleviate false contractions, try changing your body position or drinking water. Rhythmic breathing (like you would use during real labor contractions) can also help relieve BH contractions.

For more helpful information about Braxton Hicks contractions, including how to tell whether or not you’re actually in labor, read Understanding and Identifying Braxton Hicks Contractions.

Related readings...

What to Expect During Natural Childbirth
What Do Braxton Hicks Contractions Feel Like?
Contractions: Braxton Hicks, Prodromal Labor or the Real Thing?
What is Umbilical Cord Prolapse?

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

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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.


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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.


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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

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