Are you experiencing painful "practice" contractions? Read on for helpful tips on easing Braxton-Hicks contractions at home.
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According to Deanna Stirling, a public health nurse with the Middlesex-London Health Unit in London, Ont., “practice” contractions (which, in contrast to the real deal, don’t dilate your cervix) may be eased by these measures:
Often, pre-labour contractions will disappear if you take a warm bath or cuddle up with a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel.
Braxton-Hicks can signal you’re doing too much; rest may offer relief.
Mild dehydration can trigger cramping, so drink up. (But don’t forget to pee. A full bladder can irritate the uterus, thereby increasing the intensity of Braxton-Hicks.)
Braxton-Hicks provides a perfect opportunity to practise your strategies for coping with labour.
And how do you know if those cramps are Braxton-Hicks or bona fide labour? “With true labour, things like a warm bath or rest won’t change the contractions—they’ll just get stronger,” Stirling says. If you’re still uncertain, check with your caregiver.
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