False labor vs true labor

Practice contractions often vary in timing and intensity. They may stop after rest, drinking water, changing position, or reducing activity. The tightening is commonly felt across the front of the abdomen and may be more uncomfortable than painful.

Labour contractions generally continue despite simple comfort measures. Over time they tend to last longer, arrive at more regular intervals, and become harder to talk or walk through. Labour also involves changes to the cervix, which cannot be confirmed from the feeling alone. Some people have an uncertain early phase, so a maternity assessment may be needed.

Use a clock or contraction timer and record the start of each tightening, its duration, and how the sensation changes. Rest, hydrate, and change position if comfortable, then see whether the pattern settles. Keep your maternity unit's contact details close and follow the advice given for your pregnancy.

Do not rely on a single contraction or one home observation. If you have had previous early births, have been told your pregnancy needs extra monitoring, or simply cannot judge the pattern, call your maternity team.

Call your maternity unit when contractions become regular, stronger, or difficult to manage, or when you think labour may have started. Seek urgent advice for leaking fluid, vaginal bleeding, severe constant pain, fever, faintness, or reduced baby movements. Contractions before term deserve prompt assessment because they can be a sign of preterm labour.

Ask what contraction pattern your unit uses for calling, how to recognise fluid leakage, where to go for assessment, and what to do if contractions stop and restart. Also ask how your own pregnancy history changes the advice.