All About Contractions During Pregnancy

Are you experiencing contractions during your pregnancy and wondering if it’s normal? You’re in the right place! Before we begin, a contraction happens when the muscle surrounding the uterus (the myometrium) involuntarily tightens.

May helps you understand pregnancy contractions so you can figure out what’s happening in your uterus.

When Do Contractions Start During Pregnancy?

Contractions can be felt as early as the second trimester of pregnancy. Don’t worry, in the vast majority of cases, these are not labor contractions but what are called Braxton-Hicks contractions. Although they can be uncomfortable, they are not painful (in fact, they are often confused with baby movements, ligament pain, or the sensation of a tight belly). They usually happen in the evening or after exertion. If you’re unsure, try feeling your belly! During a contraction, the entire belly becomes hard for a few moments and then relaxes.
In addition to these contractions, there are those that affect the cervix, usually later in pregnancy. Triggered by prostaglandins, they help the cervix soften, shorten, and open, sometimes before labor begins in some women, and sometimes once labor has already started in others. Keep reading to learn how to tell them apart.

Why Does the Uterus Contract During Pregnancy?

The culprits behind uterine contractions during pregnancy are, like many things in your body, hormones!
During pregnancy, your body produces progesterone, a hormone that relaxes muscles (not just the uterus, but also the pelvic floor).

Toward the end of pregnancy, prostaglandins appear. These hormones prepare the uterus for childbirth by triggering contractions… Prostaglandins are also what can cause menstrual cramps. By the way, these hormones have a laxative effect: no wonder you might experience diarrhea during your period or at the start of labor!

But the uterus’s favorite hormone for childbirth is oxytocin. How could we not mention the famous pleasure hormone that controls uterine contractions and is produced in abundance during labor, delivery, and throughout your life!

Fun fact: your uterus also contracts during orgasm and breastfeeding thanks to this hormone.

How Often Do Contractions Happen During Pregnancy?

Braxton-Hicks contractions are irregular and considered normal if you feel between 10 and 15 contractions per day. They usually last about 30 seconds.
Labor contractions, on the other hand, get stronger and closer together. In the beginning, they may still be irregular in strength and frequency, known as early labor or the latent phase. Then they settle into a steady rhythm every 3 to 5 minutes, growing in intensity. These contractions last between 1 minute and 1 minute 30 seconds, with a build-up phase, a peak, and a gradual release. This means you are in labor or active labor!

❗Before 37 weeks, if you have more than 10-15 contractions per day, it’s advised to go to the maternity emergency room. After 37 weeks, you can head to the hospital after 1 to 2 hours of painful, regular contractions occurring every 5 to 7 minutes at least.

How Can You Relieve Contractions?

Braxton-Hicks contractions, sometimes called “false” contractions or early labor contractions, are usually painless. Be careful though—the term “false contractions” is not entirely correct as they are indeed real contractions. That’s why we prefer the term Braxton-Hicks contractions.
They usually only last a few seconds and don’t leave much time to act, but you can try these simple methods:

• Going for a walk.
• Resting.
• Staying well hydrated.
• Taking a bath.
• Taking pain relief (always consult your doctor before taking any medication).

For labor contractions, the focus is on managing pain… These contractions make it difficult to talk or walk and require you to focus on your breathing. Here are some helpful techniques:

• Support from your midwife or partner.
• Heat, which acts as a muscle relaxant (bath, shower, hot water bottle).
• Breathing, as your uterus needs oxygen.
• Pressure and massage to help relax (you can ask your partner to lend a hand).
• Laughing gas, if available, which works immediately while you are inhaling it.
• Finding positions that feel right for you! Ideally, your pelvis should be aligned with your spine, without arching your back.

❤️ When we talk about contraction pain, we often think of something negative, both physically and emotionally. But labor contractions are not negative at all; they are not warning signs, quite the opposite! They are the powerful movements that help push your baby into the world; they are what bring you closer, one by one, to that big meeting. This is nothing like menstrual cramps, which, let’s face it, don’t have the same positive energy… Thanks to this signal from your body, you know when to seek shelter and help… Imagine giving birth unexpectedly while waiting in line at a store—now that wouldn’t be much fun!

Do Contractions Always Mean Labor Has Started?

As we’ve seen, contractions don’t always mean labor has started. This is true for Braxton-Hicks contractions, which don’t affect the cervix.
Only when contractions are painful, regular, and close together do they indicate the start of labor.

Want to learn more? Feel free to download the May app, where you’ll find plenty of resources to support and guide you throughout your pregnancy.

When Should You Call a Doctor About Contractions?

Before 37 Weeks

If you experience more than 10 to 15 contractions per day, it’s advised to go to the maternity emergency room. The same applies if the contractions become regular and close together or if discomfort turns into pain. Depending on your situation, an exam or a cervical check may be recommended to ensure that these contractions aren’t affecting your cervix.

After 37 Weeks

As mentioned earlier, head to the hospital after 1 to 2 hours of intense and regular contractions (at least every 5 minutes). More generally: listen to your body and trust yourself. If you feel it’s time or have any concerns: go and get checked!

Can Contractions Be Accompanied by Other Symptoms?

Braxton-Hicks contractions can occur alongside other common pregnancy discomforts like nausea, constipation, or back pain… the classics!
When it comes to labor contractions, your whole body gears up for birth. You may also experience other symptoms (nausea, diarrhea…) and/or other signs of labor (loss of the mucus plug, water breaking, feeling of heaviness…).

We hope this has helped clarify the different contractions you may feel during pregnancy. Don’t forget, it’s perfectly normal to feel them before and after 37 weeks. However, they should be monitored. If you have any doubts, don’t hesitate to consult your doctor or ask your questions on the May chat, we’re here for that ❤️.

This text was translated from French by an artificial intelligence. The information, advice, and sources it contains comply with French standards and may therefore not apply to your situation. Make sure to complement this reading by visiting the May US/UK app and consulting the healthcare professionals who are supporting you.