Contractions are when your belly gets tight and hard, then soft again - like squeezing a fist or a ball. Contractions help your body to push your baby out during birth. Contractions will start out mild and farther apart and will start to get stronger and happen more often as time passes. Some women will even have “practice” ones called Braxton Hicks contractions. Knowing how to identify true labor contractions is important.
How to Know if You Have This
Belly tightens, then relaxes.
Feels like strong period cramps or a wave of back pain.
Braxton Hicks (practice squeezes) are like “practice drills” before the real game. They are irregular, come at random times, and usually stop if you rest, drink water, or change position. They don’t get stronger or longer, but they are noticeable.
Real labor contractions are a sign that you are going into labor. They come on a regular schedule, last closer to one minute, and keep getting stronger and closer together. They don’t stop with rest, and they can make it hard to talk or walk¹.
When it's Urgent
You have contractions every 10 minutes or less.
You have 6 or more contractions per hour.
The pain is strong, and you can’t talk while you feel the contraction due to discomfort.
References
¹American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). How to Tell When Labor Begins. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/how-to-tell-when-labor-begins