How to relieve Braxton-Hicks contractions

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:

Apply warmth

Often, pre-labour contractions will disappear if you take a warm bath or cuddle up with a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel.

Take a break

Braxton-Hicks can signal you’re doing too much; rest may offer relief.

Drink some water

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.)

Practice deep breathing

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.