Where do you feel Braxton Hicks contractions?

During a practice contraction, your bump may become firm under your hand and then soften. Some people notice a band-like squeeze across the front, while others feel pressure in the lower abdomen or groin. Position, the baby's position, and where you first notice the tightening can change how it feels.

Location by itself does not distinguish practice contractions from labour. Labour contractions tend to develop a progressive rhythm and may be felt in the abdomen, pelvis, back, or a combination of these areas. Watching how the sensation changes over time is more useful than relying on one body region.

Place a hand on your abdomen to notice when it firms and releases, then record the start and end of several episodes. Change position, have water, and empty your bladder if there are no warning signs. Note whether the sensation eases or continues to grow stronger and more regular.

Tell your maternity clinician exactly where you feel pressure or pain, whether it travels to your back, and whether you also have pelvic pressure, discharge, bleeding, fluid leakage, or altered fetal movement. These details help determine the appropriate assessment.

Contact your maternity unit urgently if tightening is regular and strengthening, occurs before full term, or comes with vaginal bleeding, suspected waters breaking, reduced fetal movement, marked pelvic pressure, severe back or abdominal pain, fever, or feeling faint. Do not use the location of pain to rule out labour.

Call emergency services for heavy bleeding, collapse, overwhelming pain, or signs that birth may happen immediately. Use safe transport and follow the maternity team's directions.

Ask how to recognise your uterus tightening, whom to contact outside clinic hours, and whether backache or low pelvic pressure warrants an earlier check in your pregnancy. Mention any previous premature birth or cervical concerns so the advice can be personalised.