Signs of Labor: How to Tell Braxton Hicks From the Real Thing

As your due date nears, every twinge makes you wonder: is this it? Knowing the difference between practice contractions and true labor can save you a stressful trip — or tell you it's time to go. Here's how to read the signs.

A note of care: This is general information, not medical advice. When in doubt, always call your provider or maternity unit.

Braxton Hicks vs. True Labor Contractions

Braxton Hicks (practice contractions)

• Irregular and unpredictable
• Don't get consistently closer together
• Often ease with rest, hydration, or a change of position
• Usually felt in the front, and are uncomfortable rather than painful

True labor contractions

• Come at regular intervals and get closer together over time
• Grow longer, stronger, and more intense
• Don't ease when you move or rest
• Often start in the back and wrap around the front

Other Early Signs of Labor

• The "bloody show" (loss of the mucus plug)
• Your water breaking (a gush or slow trickle of fluid)
• Persistent low back ache and pressure
• Baby "dropping" (lightening) as they settle into the pelvis
• Loose stools or a burst of nesting energy

Timing Your Contractions

Time from the start of one contraction to the start of the next. A common guideline is the 5-1-1 rule: contractions 5 minutes apart, each lasting 1 minute, for at least 1 hour. Have your hospital bag packed well before this point.

When to Go to the Hospital

Call your provider or go in if: your contractions follow the 5-1-1 pattern, your water breaks, you have vaginal bleeding, you notice reduced fetal movement, or you have severe headache or vision changes. When unsure, always call — as the Cleveland Clinic notes, your care team would rather hear from you.