What is the difference between BH contractions and regular contractions?

Mom of 3 here (4,6,9). The biggest differences between BH and labor contractions are that labor contractions hurt (a lot) whereas BH ones may feel uncomfortable and kind of painful but are truly hurting. Also BH contractions stop eventually and are not necessarily regular but labor contractions have a regularity about them and, if you are timing them, will start to get closer together.

I found with myself in labor, especially with baby #1 and not sure what to expect I was feeling what felt like really bad period cramps combined with the actual physical contraction of the stomach area. It usually starts in the back and moves to the front but of course every woman experiences it differently.

One other way a nurse told me about how to tell the difference: if you can talk naturally throughout the contraction then it is probably BH. A true labor contraction will have you pausing for a breath or a moment while speaking - it literally takes your breath away.

It does sound like you might be on your way so I'd like to wish you and baby all the best!

BH contractions are rarely painful, sometimes its hard to catch your breath but otherwise its just a tightening feeling (starts from the bottom most of the time, real contractions start like slight cramping and then go into the worst period pains you have ever had and most often start from the top and will not change frequency/pain when you change positions or take a shower.

I went through this all day yesterday! I am 28 weeks pregnant. My contractions where coming every 20 min. like clock work for hours. They never got closer together and when I called the doctor they told me to lay down for an hour If I had more then 5 an hour to call them back and they told me I could be dehydrated. They said Drink lots of water Pregnant women dehydrate faster.

I am still having them today but if you don't notice 5 or more and hour or if you are not seeing blood than You are probably having BH.

Call your doctor if you are having 4-5 an hour especially if you are to early in pregnancy to go in labor.

Good Luck!!

When I went thru Braxton Hicks, I thought I was in labor, the nurse line told me to lay on my left side and if the pains go away, its just BH. It took about 10 minutes and she was right. So go lay down and relax. Oh, and Congratulations

regular contractions hurt very bad, u need to time them, BH can hurt to but not as bad as regular ones, just time them, an if they are 2 mins apart go to the hospital, but it could be BH, if it keeps bothering u call your on call Dr

VERY GOOD QUESTION! Because I was going to ask the same thing! Because I am having these similar signs and its been 24 hours now. Its been off and on and some hurt and some don't so Im thinking it could be both? who knows but Im eager to see what answers you get! GL !!!!!

oh here is my questions so you can see that I am going through what is similar to you!

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=200811...

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=200811...

Braxton Hicks contractions are not regular and generally go away if you change posititions or lay down. Regular labor contractions come at regular intervals, but can vary in intensity.

If you have to ask "is this labor?" you probably aren't in it yet. Trust me, you will know!

Good luck!