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What Is False Labor Or Pre-Labor?

By Rachel Lacourciere, edHelperBaby

What Is False Labor Or Pre-Labor?

A question asked by many pregnant women is how they will know they are in real labor.  This is often answered with a simple "you'll know" answer, and while this may be true for some women, this answer provides minimal insight for those who ask.  The best way to recognize real labor is to understand what false labor actually is.  By definition, real labor is regular contractions of the uterus that do result in effacement or dilation of the cervix, whereas false labor (also referred to as pre-labor or Braxton-Hicks contractions) is irregular contractions of the uterus that do not result in the thinning and opening of the cervix and disappear after a period of time.  In other words, false labor contractions follow an erratic pattern, possibly coming every ten minutes then every two minutes and returning to every seven minutes.

How Can I Distinguish Between Real Labor And False Labor?

Pregnant women can distinguish between real labor and false labor by answering a few questions:               Are the contractions at regular intervals and becoming closer together? Yes - could indicate real labor and the regular prenatal doctor should be notified. No - more likely indicates false labor; however, monitoring of the contractions should continue until they have passed.        Are the contractions becoming stronger? Yes - could indicate real labor and the regular prenatal doctor should be notified. No - more likely indicates false labor; however, monitoring of the contractions should continue until they have passed.        If positions are changed (i.e., lying down versus sitting), do the contractions subside? No - could indicate real labor and the regular prenatal doctor should be notified. Yes - more likely indicates false labor; however, monitoring of the contractions should continue until they have passed.        If water intake is increased, do the contractions subside? No - could indicate real labor and the regular prenatal doctor should be notified. Yes - more likely indicates false labor; however, monitoring of the contractions should continue until they have passed.        Where is the pain located during the contractions? Starts in the back and moves to the front of the body - could indicate real labor and the regular prenatal doctor should be notified. Starts in the front of the body and remains there - more likely indicates false labor; however, monitoring of the contractions should continue until they have passed.        If at any time you are unable to discern whether you (or your partner) are experiencing real or false labor, it is best to contact your regular prenatal doctor immediately.  The doctor will ask you a more detailed series of questions to help you determine whether it is best to go to the hospital or monitor your condition at home.

True Signs Of Labor

The following are some signs that a pregnant woman's body is readying itself for labor: Upset stomach Diarrhea Dropping (also referred to as lightening) of the baby Bloody show Loss of the mucus plug Rupturing of membranes (also referred to as water breaking)        While the above list indicates labor will be forthcoming, it does not indicate a time frame for the labor to in fact begin.  Conversely, many women go into labor without any of the above indications ahead of time!

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