Braxton Hicks vs. Real Contractions

What do Braxton Hicks feel like?

Braxton Hicks contractions — sometimes called practice contractions — feel like your belly tightening and going hard, usually across the front, then softening again over 30 seconds or so. They are uncomfortable more than painful, and they are irregular: you might feel a few in an hour, then nothing for the rest of the day. They can be triggered by dehydration, a full bladder, activity, or the baby moving, and they often settle when you stop and rest.

The defining feature is that they go nowhere. Braxton Hicks do not get steadily stronger, they do not space themselves into a clock-like rhythm, and they do not get closer together. They can show up for weeks before your due date without being a sign that labor is starting. Real labor, by contrast, builds.

How do I tell them apart?

When you are not sure, the fastest way to know is to time them and then do something about them. Note the start of each contraction and how long it lasts for several in a row. Then drink a large glass of water, empty your bladder, and change what you are doing — lie down if you were active, or get up and walk if you were resting. False labor fades with that. Real labor does not.

Braxton Hicks vs. real labor — the patterns that tell them apart. Your provider's instructions come first.

What to watch	Braxton Hicks (false labor)	Real labor contractions
Pattern	Irregular; come and go with no rhythm	Regular and getting closer together over time
Intensity	Stays mild; does not build	Steadily stronger as time goes on
With movement / rest / water	Ease off or stop	Continue no matter what you do
Location	Usually felt in the front only	Often start in the back and wrap to the front
Duration	Varies; often short and inconsistent	About 30–70 seconds and lengthening

If you run the rest-and-hydrate test and the contractions space out or stop, that was false labor. If they keep their rhythm or tighten up, start timing the gap between them in earnest — you may be in early labor.

What is the 5-1-1 rule?

The 5-1-1 rule is a common “time to call” guide for a first labor. It means contractions that are about:

• 5 minutes apart (measured from the start of one to the start of the next),
• each lasting about 1 minute, and
• holding that pattern for at least 1 hour.

It is a rule of thumb, not a law. If you have given birth before, your labor can move faster and you may be told to come in sooner. If you live far from the hospital, have had a quick previous labor, or are Group B Strep positive, your provider may give you a different threshold. Whatever instructions your OB or midwife gave you override the 5-1-1 rule. When in doubt, call — that is what the labor line is for. For more on the early signs, see our guide to the signs of labor.

When should I call or go in?

You do not have to be certain to call. Labor lines exist precisely so you can describe what you are feeling and let a clinician decide. Some signs, though, mean call right away rather than waiting out the 5-1-1 pattern — those are below.

Reflects Cleveland Clinic guidance on Braxton Hicks contractions and ACOG patient guidance on how to tell when labor begins and when to contact your provider, 2024–2026.

Related questions

What do Braxton Hicks feel like?

Braxton Hicks feel like your belly tightening and hardening, usually across the front, then relaxing. They are irregular, mild to moderate, and uncomfortable rather than painful. They do not get closer together or steadily stronger, and they tend to ease off when you change position, rest, or drink water.

When do Braxton Hicks start?

Braxton Hicks can begin as early as the second trimester, but most people notice them more in the third trimester as the due date approaches. They are normal and are sometimes called practice contractions.

Do Braxton Hicks mean labor is close?

Not on their own. Braxton Hicks are practice contractions and can happen for weeks without labor starting. Labor is signaled by contractions that become regular and get longer, stronger, and closer together over time, not by occasional tightenings that come and go.

What is the 5-1-1 rule?

The 5-1-1 rule is a common guide for a first labor: call or head in when contractions are about 5 minutes apart, each lasts about 1 minute, and this pattern has held steady for at least 1 hour. It is a general guideline — your provider's specific instructions always come first.

Sources & further reading

1. Cleveland Clinic — Braxton Hicks Contractions
2. ACOG — How to Tell When Labor Begins

This article reflects current Cleveland Clinic and ACOG guidance and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. ParentFlow is a wellness companion — not a substitute for your obstetric provider. For any medical concern, or if you think you may be in labor, contact your healthcare provider.