Labor pains: How can I tell which contractions?

The closer the due date gets, the more your thoughts are probably focused on the upcoming birth and the contractions you will experience. What do they feel like? How strong will they be? How will you know when it really starts? In this article, you will find the most important information about the different types of contractions during pregnancy and childbirth.

What are contractions?

Contractions are characterized by Contractions of the uterine muscle , triggered during pregnancy and childbirth. But a contraction is not just a contraction – they vary depending on the phase of pregnancy or labor. Each type of contraction has a different function, either to prepare your body for the upcoming birth or to progress it. You will probably notice that they differ in their intensity and frequency. Since every woman experiences pain differently, it is not always easy to strictly distinguish individual contractions. Nevertheless, it can be helpful to know the characteristics of the different types of contractions, as not all contractions necessarily signal that labor is starting. Learning to distinguish between the types of contractions can give you confidence and help you assess when it is time to head to the hospital.

Contractions before birth

Braxton Hicks contractions or premature labor

are referred to as early labor or preterm contractions, which before the 36th week of pregnancy can occur. You can recognize them by the fact that they happen with more than three contractions per hour at relatively short intervals and the pain gradually intensifies. It may be accompanied by watery or bloody discharge. Caution is advised with preterm labor, and you should definitely inform your doctor or midwife if you notice premature contractions. Not all contractions are a sign of early labor, as the cervix usually begins to open at about five to six contractions per hour. Nevertheless, premature labor is often a Body's warning signal during physical and/or emotional overload and a clear sign that you should allow yourself rest and relaxation. Your doctor will probably also recommend magnesium for premature contractions, as it has a relaxing effect. If there is a risk to you or your baby otherwise, he/she may also administer a labor suppressant to reduce the contractions.

Braxton-Hicks contractions or practice contractions

The practice contractions or Braxton-Hicks contractions will probably occur during your pregnancy, several weeks before the actual birth. Even if it initially feels unfamiliar, the contractions are completely normal and no reason to worry . From the second trimester, approximately between the 20th and 35th week of pregnancy, your uterine muscle tissue "trains" in Preparation for childbirth . Contractions occur irregularly and no more than three times per hour, lasting between 30 seconds and one minute. They are not painful, so some expectant mothers may not notice them consciously. Perhaps you feel your belly tightening and relaxing again shortly thereafter – this is a sign of Braxton Hicks contractions, also known as false labor. If they occur more than three to four times per hour or more than ten times per day, or are accompanied by discharge or bleeding, you should contact your doctor or midwife for safety.

Braxton Hicks contractions and lightening pains

Braxton Hicks contractions can occur in the third trimester of pregnancy, starting around the 36th week of pregnancy. They indicate that the Birth is imminent in a few weeks and prepare your body for it. You can recognize early labor by the fact that it occurs at irregular intervals and is relatively painless. You may perceive it as a strong pulling in your back and groin area or feel increased pressure on your bladder.

Often, contractions seamlessly transition into lightening pains as the birth approaches. Their purpose is to Your baby's head in your pelvis and thus to bring into the birth position . Also, Braxton Hicks contractions can occur from around the 36th week of pregnancy. The contractions differ quite noticeably from Braxton Hicks, as they are felt to be significantly more painful, and you will probably feel the pressure exerted by your baby's head on your pelvic floor. If the growing baby bump causes problems with breathing or eating, Braxton Hicks contractions and the changed position of your baby can provide relief. It is also often easy to see from the outside when Braxton Hicks are pushing the baby's head into the pelvis: the baby bump then sinks visibly. Braxton Hicks contractions start the countdown to birth; often, only a few days remain until the time comes. If you find the Braxton Hicks contractions very painful or feel unwell, you can calmly use the breathing techniques you have learned from the Childbirth Preparation Course apply. A warm bath can also provide you with relief.

Contractions during and after childbirth

Some women fear that they might confuse Braxton Hicks contractions with true labor pains and therefore not notice when labor actually begins. However, this concern is usually unfounded. True labor pains are much harder to ignore, are significantly more intense, and occur at more regular intervals. You can also recognize them by the fact that they probably occur around the estimated due date and may be accompanied by slight diarrhea. Although each woman experiences differently, most mothers retrospectively report that they could distinguish true labor pains from Braxton Hicks contractions without any problems due to the increased intensity.

Labor pains

The early contractions give the Starting signal for the birth and at the same time mark their longest phase . From the 37th week of pregnancy, you can expect early labor pains that open the cervix up to 10 cm. The contractions initially occur irregularly, then become more intense and return every two to ten minutes. Each early labor contraction lasts about one and a half minutes, and many women compare them to intense menstrual cramps that become increasingly stronger. Try to breathe as calmly and deeply as possible during the early labor pains and to measure the intervals between contractions. This way, you can monitor the progress of the labor and estimate when it will be time to go to the hospital or – if you are planning a home birth – when to call your midwife.

Labor contractions

With the contractions, the beginning of the Birth climax , the so-called Ejection phase . Once the cervix is fully dilated, the pushing contractions follow immediately after the opening contractions. As soon as you feel the intense contractions at very short intervals, it is time to push your baby out through the birth canal. Even if the contractions in this final Birth phase The thought of holding your baby in your arms shortly afterward, despite being very exhausting, surely gives you once again unforeseen strength.

Afterbirth contractions

Immediately after you have given birth to your baby, the so-called afterpains begin.

These take up to an additional 15 minutes and ensure that the Placenta , with which your baby was connected throughout the entire pregnancy, rejected are. The afterbirth pains are significantly milder than the pushing pains and comparable to severe menstrual cramps.

Afterpains or Braxton Hicks contractions

Even if it may initially sound strange: Also in the days after birth contractions continue to occur. The afterpains support the uterus in contracting back to its original size and in stopping bleeding after birth. With the second, third, or fourth child, the afterpains are often more intense because the uterus has to work harder to shrink back to its original size. Even if you are breastfeeding, you may feel the afterpains more strongly: Since during the Breastfeeding the postpartum contractions caused by the release of the labor-promoting hormone oxytocin are also known as breastfeeding contractions.

What do contractions feel like?

A question that most women probably ask themselves before giving birth is how labor pains will feel and whether they will be associated with severe pain. Unfortunately – or perhaps fortunately ;) – this question is difficult to answer in advance. The sensation of labor pains and the intensity of the pain during childbirth is completely individual and depends among other things on the physical and mental condition of the mother. If you are tense and the thought of childbirth literally causes you stomach pain, a hypnobirthing course might be right for you. There, breathing and relaxation exercises are taught as part of preparing for a fear-free birth. One approach in hypnobirthing is, for example, to refer to contractions as waves. The idea behind this is to remove the painful, negative connotation that the term contractions inevitably evokes. If you want to learn more about what hypnobirthing is all about, you will find the most important information about this form of childbirth preparation in our article „ Hypnobirthing – Fearlessly into the birth ".

When should I head to the hospital?

Especially with the first child, parents are often unsure when the right time has come to head to the hospital or to inform the midwife during a home birth. In retrospect, most report that they went to the clinic far too early. A good guideline is the Intervals and the duration of contractions . If you notice regular contractions every ten minutes or less and the contractions last longer than 30 seconds, it is likely that the time has come, and you can go to the hospital for the final phase of labor. If you're unsure, you can also simply call the delivery ward or your midwife. The birth experts can help you assess how far along your labor is. Without hesitation, you should head to the hospital in case of premature water breaking, vaginal bleeding, pain beyond contractions, fever or elevated body temperature, visual disturbances, nausea, or dizziness.

Your midwife or hospital staff will check your contractions either by palpation or using a contraction monitor (or CTG for cardiotocography). They can also feel how far your cervix has already opened. Depending on how far along the labor is, you will be taken directly to the delivery room or may need to wait a little longer. If you arrived very early at the hospital, it is also possible that you will be sent back home initially. This is absolutely not a problem; in case of doubt, you will feel a bit more reassured afterward and be able to better gauge the upcoming contractions.

Even if the thought of the upcoming contractions and the pain of childbirth makes you feel a bit uneasy: each type of contraction serves its own purpose and brings you a step closer to your baby. Just the right preparation and a positive outlook can help you face the contractions with less fear and go into labor more relaxed.