How to differentiate between true labor and false labor?
Distinguishing between true labor and false labor (Braxton Hicks contractions) can be challenging. Here are some differences:
- Contraction pattern: True labor contractions are regular and progressively get closer together, whereas false labor contractions are irregular. - Contraction intensity: True labor contractions become stronger over time, while false labor contractions usually remain the same or become weaker. - Activity effect: True labor contractions continue regardless of movement or changes in position, whereas false labor contractions often stop with rest or movement. - Cervical changes: True labor leads to progressive cervical dilation and effacement, whereas false labor does not.
