Contractions: When labor pains begin

During the last few months of pregnancy, you might experience occasional, sometimes painful, contractions — a sensation that your uterus is tightening and relaxing. These are called Braxton Hicks contractions.

To tell the difference between Braxton Hicks contractions and the real thing, consider these questions:

• Are the contractions regular? Time your contractions from the beginning of one to the beginning of the next. Look for a regular pattern of contractions that get progressively stronger and closer together. False labor contractions will remain irregular.
• How long do they last? Time how long each contraction lasts. True contractions last about 30 to 70 seconds.
• Do the contractions stop? True contractions continue regardless of your activity level or position. With false labor, the contractions might stop when you walk, rest or change position.