Understanding Braxton Hicks Contractions
During pregnancy many women experience a Braxton Hicks type of contractions. This type of contraction in pregnancy was first acknowledged nearly 140 years ago by an English physician. These types of contractions have been named after him for more than a century. Many women become very upset because they do not realize what is going on inside their body. When a woman understands more fully what is going on with her body she is less likely to become stressed and worried.
These types of contractions are actually contractions of the muscles inside the stomach of the pregnant woman. Usually they take place after the midway point in a pregnancy has been reached. Some women experience them as soon as 20 weeks into the pregnancy. When a woman is going through her first time of carrying a child the entire experience can be very upsetting. But the process itself is actually quite normal.
Women often think they are going into labor because they can feel their stomach muscles becoming tight when pressure is placed on the stomach area. Usually women become very concerned because they do not want to go into premature labor. These contractions only last for about between five and 30 seconds each time. The closer a woman gets to her delivery date the more likely she is to experience regular bouts of these types of contractions.
The woman will not notice any increase in the severity of the episode over time. It is also very unlikely that there will be any pattern to the development of this condition. Women usually become used to the feeling once they have experienced it for several weeks. Women usually become very nervous during the first trimester because they may mistake the condition for the sensations prior having a miscarriage.
These pains will normally subside when a woman chooses to change her position. Labor pains on the other hand do not decrease in intensity regardless of the position that a woman chooses to be in. When a woman is going into labor she will notice a steady increase in the amount of pain she is experiencing. Women also will experience the breaking of their water when the delivery of the child is getting closer, although it may still be an hour or so away. It is usually best to consult with a qualified medical professional if a woman has doubts about her condition.