You asked and you shall now receive. It’s only fair for us to share all of this stored up knowledge about having a baby and what is going on with your body during those nine (really ten) months. We now will answer, in a very public forum, all of those burning questions about having a baby. Each Monday, we will tackle a commonly-asked-question from the point of view of an expectant parent. Chiming in to give feedback will be an expert (you know someone who does this for a living). Earmark, share and add your own input to today’s question; it’s good karma.
What are Braxton Hicks contractions?
One of the biggest mysteries for an expectant mom is what does a contraction feel like? What is a Braxton Hicks contraction? A Braxton Hicks contraction is considered “false labor” as they are preparation for the real deal. Braxton Hicks are nature’s way of conditioning the uterine muscles for the Big Day. The good news? They are not usually painful, and all moms do not experience them. When they do, they are often felt in the second or third trimester. Braxton Hicks contractions and true labor contractions are quite different.
Braxton Hicks contractions:
- Are irregular and are not close together (true labor are regular)
- Usually stop if you rest, walk, or change positions (true labor continues)
- Usually are not strong and do not increase in intensity (true labor increases)
- Usually felt in the front (true labor felt more in the back)
As with everything, its best to check in with your provider if you have any questions and is always better to be check in.
Expert: Renee Sullivan
Renee Sullivan, parent coach and Founding Director of Mommybites support groups, works with moms each week to create their own personal parenting plan that is right for them, while making sure that each mom gets the support, resources, and community they need for their parenting journey. Drawing from her experience as an birth coach and educator, she guides moms – new, seasoned and expectant through the never – ending array of decisions that come with having a child. Weekly sessions that are “nurturing, informative, and fun” and her “calm-laid back personality” has made her a “dynamic resource” to the parenting community since 2006. Renee’s positive, warm and enthusiastic personality relaxes and guides new and expectant moms to enjoy the journey and her personal attention to detail allows all parents that work with her to quickly get the resources they need to feel at ease to make informed and educated decisions. Before joining Mommybites, she narrowly escaped the trenches of Corporate America where she was a Senior Project Manager for The New York Times, Morgan Stanley and Pfizer. She lives in New York City and is the mom of one happy kindergartener.
