User:Mr. Ibrahem/Braxton Hicks contractions
| Braxton Hicks contractions | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Practice contractions, false labor, prodromal labor[1] |
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| A pregnant women | |
| Specialty | Obstetrics |
| Symptoms | Crampy abdominal discomfort or pain[2][3] |
| Usual onset | >20 wks of pregnancy[4] |
| Duration | About 30 sec[5] |
| Causes | Unknown[1] |
| Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms, confirmed by vaginal exam[3] |
| Differential diagnosis | Labor, round ligament pain, placental abruption, preeclampsia[5][1] |
| Frequency | Common[1] |
Braxton Hicks contractions, also known as false labor, are sporadic uterine contractions during pregnancy.[1] While they may begin in early pregnancy, they are not generally felt until after 20 weeks of gestation.[4][1] They are a normal part of pregnancy and generally become more common near delivery.[1]
While uncomfortable, the pain is typically only felt in the front of the abdomen.[2][3] They may occur a few times per day and last for about 30 seconds.[5] Unlike labor, they do not become stronger, more frequent, or last longer with time.[5] They may also resolve with drinking fluids or rest.[3]
The cause is unclear.[1] They may be triggered by activity, a full bladder, or dehydration.[1] Diagnosis may be supported by finding only part of the uterus contracting with no cervical dilation on vaginal exam.[1][3] They are named after John Braxton Hicks, the English physician who first described them in Western medicine.[6]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Raines, Deborah A.; Cooper, Danielle B. (2020). "Braxton Hicks Contractions". StatPearls. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing. PMID 29262073. Archived from the original on 2022-04-04. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ a b "Signs that labour has begun". nhs.uk. 1 December 2020. Archived from the original on 23 December 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "How to Tell When Labor Begins". www.acog.org. Archived from the original on 16 November 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ a b Services, Department of Health & Human. "Pregnancy - premature labour". www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Contractions". NHS inform. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ Dunn PM (1999). "John Braxton Hicks (1823–97) and painless uterine contractions". Arch. Dis. Child. Fetal Neonatal Ed. 81 (2): F157–58. doi:10.1136/fn.81.2.F157. PMC 1720982. PMID 10448189.