Guide

Braxton Hicks contractions

Practice tightenings. What they feel like, how to tell them from the real thing, and when to call.

Your bump tightens, then softens

A squeezing feeling that comes and goes. Often uncomfortable, usually not painful, though some are strong.

For many weeks before labour

Most common towards the end of pregnancy.

Often more in the evening

Many people notice them more at the end of the day.

Practice or the real thing?

The pattern over an hour tells you more than any single tightening.

Braxton Hickspractice

Labourthe real thing

Timing

No pattern. They don't get closer together.

Regular, and closer together over time.

Strength

Stay weak, or start strong and fade.

Steadily stronger. Each lasts about 60 to 90 seconds.

When you move or rest

Often ease when you walk, rest or change position.

Keep coming, whatever you do.

Where you feel it

Usually only at the front.

Often starts in your back and moves to the front.

Think it's the real thing? How to time contractions →

What helps

Rest

Sit or lie down for a while.

Drink water

A glass or two, then see whether they settle.

Change position

Walk around, or sit if you've been on your feet.

If they fade, it was practice. If they keep coming in a pattern, start timing them.

Important

Before 37 weeks, regular tightenings need a call

Even if they don't hurt. Call your midwife, doctor or maternity unit straight away if you have:

  • Regular or frequent tightenings, painful or not
  • A change in discharge: watery, bloody or with mucus
  • Pressure low in your pelvis, or a dull, constant low backache
  • Mild cramps in your tummy, with or without diarrhoea
  • Fluid leaking, a trickle or a gush

Go in, or call your maternity unit now, if

  • Your waters break, or you think they might have
  • Heavy bleeding from your vagina
  • Constant, severe pain with no break between tightenings
  • Your baby is moving less than usual

If you're not sure whether it's labour, call. That's what the line is for.

Common questions

What do Braxton Hicks feel like?

Your bump goes hard and tight for a short while, then softens again. For most people they're uncomfortable rather than painful, but some can feel strong. They don't settle into a pattern or build up the way labour contractions do.

Are Braxton Hicks painful?

Usually not, though they can be uncomfortable, and some people find them quite strong. If tightenings are painful and coming regularly, time them and call your midwife or maternity unit.

When do Braxton Hicks start?

They can happen for many weeks before labour, and they're most common towards the end of pregnancy. Many people notice them more at the end of the day.

Is it normal to have Braxton Hicks at 24 or 30 weeks?

Practice tightenings can happen then. But before 37 weeks, tightenings that come regularly or often, even painless ones, can be a sign of preterm labour, so call your midwife, doctor or maternity unit straight away.

How do I know if it's Braxton Hicks or real labour?

Real contractions come regularly, get closer together and stronger, last 60 to 90 seconds each, and keep going when you rest or move. Braxton Hicks have no pattern, stay weak or fade, and often ease with rest, water or a change of position. If you're not sure, call.

The third trimesterTiming contractionsHospital bag checklist

NUGA times them for you

Tap at the start and end of each tightening. NUGA keeps the pattern, so you can see whether they're settling or building.

Download on theApp StoreAvailable now

Sources

This guide draws on public guidance from:

General information, not medical advice. Your midwife, doctor or maternity unit knows your pregnancy. Last updated October 2026.