Braxton Hicks or Real Labor? How to Tell the Difference

When you're near the end of pregnancy, every cramp or tightening can make you pause. Is this it? Is labor starting? Or are these just more Braxton Hicks contractions playing tricks on you again?

You're not alone if you're Googling at 2am, timing sensations, and wondering if it's go time or just your uterus "practicing."

Here’s the truth: it can be confusing. But there are reliable signs that can help you tell the difference between Braxton Hicks or real labor, and understanding them will save you stress, extra hospital trips, and help you feel more confident in your body’s process.

What Are Braxton Hicks Contractions?

Braxton Hicks contractions are sometimes called "practice contractions." They're your uterus's way of toning up and getting ready for the big event. You might feel them as a tightening or hardening across your belly, like your bump suddenly turns into a basketball.

They tend to be:

• Irregular in timing and intensity

• Short (usually less than 30 seconds)

• Painless or mildly uncomfortable (but keep in mind that pain is subjective and this can be different for everyone!)

• More noticeable in the evening or after activity

• Relieved by rest, hydration, or changing position

They can start as early as the second trimester but become more common in the third. And yes, they can get very convincing toward the end.

What Real Labor Contractions Feel Like

Unlike Braxton Hicks, real labor contractions don’t go away. They get stronger, longer, and closer together with time. They may start off feeling like period cramps or lower back pressure, but they build into a rhythm you can’t ignore.

Real labor contractions are typically:

• Regular, increasing in intensity and frequency

• Felt low in the belly, back, or radiating into the thighs

• Lasting around 30–70 seconds, getting longer with time

• Unaffected by rest or position changes

• Accompanied by other signs of labor (like loss of mucus plug or bloody show)

If you’re breathing through them and unable to talk during a wave, you’re likely in the early stages of true labor.

Quick Comparison Chart: Braxton Hicks or Real Labor?

Sign	Braxton Hix	Real Labor
Timing	Irregular	Regular and rhythmic
Intensity	Stays the same or eases	Builds over time
Location	High belly	Lower belly, back, thighs
Duration	<30 seconds	30-70+ seconds
Relief	Goes away with rest	Continues regardless

When to Call Your Doula or Provider

Every birth journey is different, and it's always okay to ask for support or reassurance.

Call your provider if:

• Your contractions are about 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute, for over an hour (the 5-1-1 rule)

• Your water breaks (especially if the fluid isn’t clear)

• You have bleeding or decreased fetal movement

• You feel intuitively that something is shifting or off

Call your doula when:

• You want help deciphering sensations

• You feel emotionally unsettled or unsure

• You need physical or emotional support as labor unfolds

You don't have to navigate these questions alone.

What Your Body Is Telling You

Braxton Hicks may be uncomfortable, but they’re not wasted. They’re your body preparing, softening, practicing. And recognizing them is part of the preparation too.

Real labor, when it comes, will ask more of you. But you’ll rise to meet it , not because it’s easy, but because it’s yours. And when you know what’s happening in your body, you can meet it with presence, not panic.

Feel Ready, Not Rattled

If you want more guidance for the final stretch of pregnancy, download A Doula’s Guide to Comfort in Labor — it’s free and full of hands-on tools to help you cope calmly at home.

Or book a birth consultation to get personalized support for your birth plan, preferences, and preparation.

You deserve to walk into labor feeling informed, not afraid.