During your pregnancy, there will be good days and there will be bad days. Whether it is your first baby or your second, you may experience Braxton Hicks contractions. Even though they are not the real deal, it can sure put you in a panic, especially if it is your first baby and not sure if they are the real thing or not.

Braxton Hicks are contractions that are irregular in length and in timing. Generally, they are painless but can still be a little scary. If it is your second or even third pregnancy, they can actually be a little painful but nothing like the real thing.

These types of contractions come from your womb and feel like a tightening in your stomach. They can begin at the early stages of your pregnancy and continue until the end. You may not even experience them at all.

As said, these types of contractions are very irregular. They will vary in the length and also in the amount of time in between. Regular contractions will last the same amount of time, usually 30 seconds and will come on a more regular basis. This is one way that you can tell the difference between the real thing and the Braxton Hicks.

Another way that you can tell if they are real labor pains or not is if you get active and they stop or become less frequent. Actual labor pains will continue whether you are mobile or still and will progressively get worse.

If for some reason you feel that you may be feeling labor pains and it is early on, you should contact your midwife or physician depending on the type of birthing plan that you have chosen. They will examine you to make sure that everything is progressing as it should and let you know that there is nothing for you to worry about it.

Now you have an idea of what you should be expecting when you are expecting. Braxton Hicks are normal for every woman to go through during a pregnancy. You should not worry or stress about them as they will stop and fade away.