Elara guides

Braxton Hicks or real labour?

How to tell practice contractions from the real thing.

Somewhere in the second half of pregnancy, your uterus starts rehearsing. These “practice” tightenings — Braxton Hicks — can be confusing, especially with a first baby, because the obvious question is the one nobody can answer for you in the moment: is this it? Here's how to read the difference.

What Braxton Hicks feel like

They're a painless or mildly uncomfortable tightening across the whole bump — it goes hard, then softens. They're irregular, don't get closer together, often stop if you change what you're doing, and they don't get stronger over time. They can be more noticeable when you're tired, dehydrated, active, or after sex.

What real labour contractions do

• Come at regular intervals and gradually get closer together.
• Get longer, stronger and more painful over time.
• Don't stop when you move, rest or change position.
• Often start in the back and wrap around to the front.
• May come with a “show” (mucus plug), waters breaking, or low period-like pressure.

A simple test

If you're not sure, change something — have a glass of water, lie down, or take a warm bath. Braxton Hicks usually settle. Real contractions carry on regardless and keep building. Timing them helps: note how long each lasts and how far apart they are over an hour.

When to call or go in

A common guide for a first baby is the 5-1-1 rule: contractions five minutes apart, lasting one minute each, for one hour. But always call sooner if your waters break, you have bright-red bleeding, the baby's movements change, or you simply feel something isn't right — trust that instinct.

Before 37 weeks, regular tightenings that don't ease could be preterm labour — don't wait it out, call your maternity team. Your specific “when to come in” advice from your provider always overrides any general rule.