Braxton Hicks - Pregnancy

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Braxton Hicks

Braxton Hicks contractions, also called false labour or practice contractions, are sporadic contractions of your uterus. They can start from as early as week 6 of your pregnancy, though most women don’t feel them until the second or third trimester. In fact, some of you may never experience them, aren’t you lucky?

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They are named after the English doctor who first described them in the late 1800s, so yes they’ve been happening to mums for a long time. However, the reason why we experience Braxton Hicks is still not known, though there are some theories including:

  • to help tone our uterine muscles in preparation for real labour
  • to encourage blood flow towards the placenta
  • to help soften up our cervix, also in preparation for labour
  • to add to the long list of annoying pregnancy symptoms we have to endure! (this tends to be a favourite theory among all mums-to-be).

How do I alleviate Braxton Hicks?

Braxton Hicks or real labour?

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