Braxton Hicks versus labour contractions on a monitor

Clinicians interpret the pattern together with your symptoms, pregnancy stage, the baby's heart-rate pattern, and whether the cervix is changing.

An external sensor on the abdomen detects changes in tension as the womb tightens. It is useful for showing when contractions happen and roughly how long they last, but the height of a peak does not provide a dependable measure of contraction strength. Position, movement, body shape, and sensor contact can all alter the tracing.

Labour is identified by the whole clinical picture, especially contractions associated with progressive cervical change. Braxton Hicks can appear repeatedly on a trace without that change, while meaningful contractions may look modest if the sensor is not well positioned.

Tell the midwife when you feel each tightening and describe its pain, pressure, and location. Mention leaking fluid, bleeding, backache, and any change in your baby's movements, even if the monitor is recording contractions.

If you are monitoring symptoms at home, write down their start times and duration rather than judging them by discomfort alone. Follow the maternity unit's instructions about when to call or attend; a home contraction app cannot assess the cervix or the baby's wellbeing.

Contact maternity care urgently if contractions become regular and stronger, your waters may have broken, you have vaginal bleeding, your baby is moving less than usual, or you develop severe constant pain. Call emergency services for heavy bleeding, collapse, breathing difficulty, or severe illness.

Before 37 weeks, preterm labour may present with recurrent tightenings, pelvic pressure, a new wave-like backache, or watery discharge. These symptoms should be assessed promptly, regardless of what an earlier monitor trace showed.

You can ask what the trace shows about contraction spacing, whether the baby's heart-rate pattern is reassuring, whether a cervical assessment is needed, and what change should bring you back. Also clarify who to contact if the contractions recur after discharge.