What do Braxton Hicks contractions feel like with preterm labour?

A contraction can feel like the womb tightening and becoming firm, followed by relaxation. It may feel like pressure in the pelvis, period-like cramps, lower backache, or tightening that moves around the abdomen. Preterm labour may involve contractions that become regular, closer together, longer, or stronger rather than settling with rest or a change of activity. Pelvic pressure, watery fluid, bleeding, or a change in discharge can occur too.

Stop strenuous activity, rest on your side, drink fluids if you can, and time the tightenings from the start of one to the start of the next. Contact your maternity unit or obstetric clinician promptly if they continue, become patterned, or occur with fluid leakage, bleeding, backache, or pelvic pressure. Do not rely on a home assessment to decide whether labour has started.

Seek urgent maternity advice for regular or painful contractions, fluid leaking from the vagina, vaginal bleeding, reduced fetal movement, severe abdominal pain, fever, or feeling faint or very unwell. If you cannot reach your maternity team, use local emergency services.

Ask how to time contractions, which symptoms require immediate attendance, and whether you need an examination or monitoring. Ask what to do if the tightenings stop and then return, and whom to call outside routine hours.