When to worry about Braxton Hicks?

These practice tightenings can make the abdomen feel firm and then relax. They may be uncomfortable without steadily building, and can ease after changing position, resting, drinking water, or emptying the bladder. Labour contractions tend to become longer, stronger, and closer together. It is not always possible to tell the difference at home, particularly if this is your first pregnancy or the pattern changes.

Pause activity, rest on your side, drink water, and time the tightenings from the start of one to the start of the next. Notice whether they ease and check for fluid leakage, bleeding, reduced fetal movement, or pelvic pressure. Keep your maternity unit’s contact details available. Do not rely on an online description if you feel something is wrong; call the maternity team for individual guidance.

Contact your maternity unit urgently for regular painful contractions, waters breaking, vaginal bleeding, reduced fetal movement, severe constant abdominal pain, fever, or a severe headache with visual changes. Seek immediate emergency help for heavy bleeding, collapse, breathing difficulty, or severe pain. If you are before term and contractions continue or become stronger, call promptly rather than waiting.

Ask how to time contractions, when your unit wants you to call, how to monitor fetal movement, and which symptoms require hospital assessment based on your pregnancy history.