*This post has been updated on Sept. 21st, 2016. See the new post here.
The last few weeks of pregnancy can be SO frustrating and confusing if you are experiencing false labor. But what is false labor in the first place? If you’ve never had a contraction in your life as a first-time mother, how the heck are you supposed to know what is going on with your body?
Well, I’m here to help you know the difference. I have now experienced false labor pains and can help you understand which is which.
See, I woke up on Sunday at 3 am having low grade, not very strong contractions. They were deep down low at my cervix and I knew they weren’t regular Braxton Hicks. I didn’t get out of bed because I really just wanted to sleep. They certainly weren’t too much to handle so I just tried to go back to sleep, not worried about them.
But I would check my phone when I’d have one start and I noticed the timing wasn’t very consistent–5 minutes here, 2 minutes there, 10 minutes…. This went on for about two hours and they weren’t changing much.
Then I started having diarrhea-like cramps, thinking I’d have to go to the bathroom soon. This didn’t surprise me because having diarrhea is a common symptom before active labor and one that I’ve had in both previous pregnancies. So I figured I was on my way to deliver my baby that very day and that my preparation and exercise had just made my contractions not very overpowering from the start.
I called my mom who had an 1.5-hour drive to come be our babysitter for the day. She showed up at 6 am and immediately after I ran down the stairs to open the door for her, my contractions stopped. STOPPED!
I was eating my breakfast expecting them to keep going, but then I’d glance at the clock and groan….maybe I was having false labor.
What Is False Labor?
The easy answer is that it’s:
- not true labor
- not real labor
- labor that doesn’t go anywhere
- or labor that doesn’t amount to the baby coming down the birth canal
So then, what’s TRUE or REAL labor? That doesn’t really answer the question, so we have to compare things side by side to truly understand what’s going on with our bodies.
| False Labor | True Labor | |
| When? | When you’re full term, the last month of pregnancy | Immediately before delivery |
| Where? | Anywhere, they can feel like very strong Braxton Hicks that go deep down low into your cervix, in your back, very weak or minor cervical contractions, strong period-like cramps | Usually only down low at your cervix, front and back |
| Strength? | Can be strong or very weak, alternating between intensities | Gets strong and stronger consistently |
| Activity? | Not consistent over time, a change in your movement affects them | Very consistent, getting closer and closer together, change in your movement doesn’t affect this |
In essence, false labor is random. True labor is not. So how can you know?
This may be the first time you’ve ever felt anything like them and trying to understand if things are random or not can be difficult, confusing and often be the last thought on your mind in the moment.
How To Know It’s False Labor
There are a few things you can do to rule out the fact that you need to head to your birthing center right away. They’re easy tests to do and you should know right away after doing them.
- Check The Timing – You don’t need to worry about how long the contractions are because it really doesn’t matter in the end, even with real labor. Just check the minutes on your watch or phone when you feel one starting. Now, if you need to write down the minute intervals so you don’t forget, jot it down on a pad of paper, get through the contraction, then move on to see if they’re consistent. False labor contractions won’t be the same distance apart, time wise.
- So if you have contractions at these intervals: 2 mins, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 6 minutes; for example, they’re not real contractions.
- If you’re seeing a pattern like this: 10 mins, 10 minutes, 8 minutes, 8 minutes, 7 minutes; they are likely real labor contractions.
- Move Around – Change what you’re doing physically, walking is actually best. You’ll feel an immediate change in your contractions if they’re false, they’ll go away for the most part. If they don’t go away at all after walking around the block, you’re having real labor. (In this case, keep walking to speed them up!)
- Eat Something – Making our body change its energy focus shifts blood flow and hormones, redirecting molecules where they need to go. If you’re in real labor, eating isn’t going to distract your body from continuing it’s contractions.
- Take A Bath – Allowing your body to relax, applying heat and comfort will either provide relief from true labor contractions or almost immediately help your false labor pains to subside and relax away. Either way, you’re going to feel more comfortable.
If you try to analyze how your contractions feel and where they’re located, it can be more difficult. Every single one of us experiences labor pains differently, and the typical locations and descriptions of them can be muddled and different for some.
Just know that false labor contractions can feel like just about any other form of contractions, such as braxton hicks, cramps, cervical contractions, back labor, etc. But when you are in the real stages of labor, you WILL KNOW. If you’re a bit confused, it’s most likely that they’re NOT real.
Other Signs That Can Be Helpful
Typically if you haven’t lost your mucus plug yet, you still won’t during false labor. But if you’re in true labor, you won’t necessarily lose it either–but you’re MORE likely to if you haven’t lost it already. I’ve never noticed when I’ve lost my mucus plug so I don’t take it as a for sure sign of anything because it can mean you’re minutes away from delivery or even a week.
Your bag of water is not going to break from false labor either. However, it’s not necessarily going to break when you’re in real labor. But, again, it’s more likely to. That’s a whole ‘nother topic of frustrating discussion. Just remember that if your water DOES break, you’re in real labor. But it doesn’t HAVE to break for it to be real labor. Crazy, huh? (Or you can manually break it during labor too.)
False labor isn’t a sign of when you’re going to begin true labor, just only that it’s getting closer. It’s a little more complex for what causes labor to start.
I Still Have Questions
There are so many circumstances surrounding false labor and what you need to watch out for that it can annoying trying to remember all the outcomes you need to worry about. If any of these questions or circumstances apply to you, then keep in mind the ones that are important.
What if I’m having contractions and I’m not full term?
This is actually pre-term labor, anything before 37 weeks of your pregnancy. You can have your water break or not, irregular contractions or not, blood show, etc. ANYTHING before 37 weeks can be harmful and indicate that something is wrong. If you experience anything before then, go into your doctor right away to make sure that you’re taken care of properly if your baby needs extra attention.
Will false labor turn into true labor?
Not likely. You can have false labor a single time, then give birth maybe a day or two after. You can have false labor off and on for weeks even. If you’re still unsure, just do those few tests I outlined above to know. If things starting out as seemingly false, then have changed in consistency, becoming regular–then YES you are now in true labor.
How do I know if I’ll have false labor or not?
Every mama is different and every pregnancy is usually different. I never had false labor with my first two babies. This week was my first time experiencing it. If you mother or sisters had it, that doesn’t mean that you will. About 20% of mothers have false labor, and it’s actually more common in first-time pregnancies than later ones. I guess that makes me the rare statistic here. But even if you do, it’s not a sign of anything that you’ve done physically wrong. It’s just the randomness of pregnancy.
What can I do to decrease my chances of having false labor?
Not much. I have found a few resources that indicate possible physical or emotion interactions that can be associated with having false labor, like sexual activity that doesn’t lead to a natural induction. But that doesn’t mean doing so will give you false labor. Emotional and hormonal fluctuations can cause just about anything it seems as well, but that doesn’t mean it will either.
After I had finished my breakfast on Sunday, I went on a walk to know for sure if my contractions would change. Turns out, they didn’t come back. Later at church that day around lunch time, I had a few again that were like super strong braxton hicks, but then they quit again upon walking. So there was my answer–false labor. Annoying!
So just think of it as a time when you can work on your proper breathing techniques or relaxation imagery as you wait for the darn things to pass. More practice is never a bad thing.
Master Your Relaxation For Labor With This Kit
Okay, who’s had false labor out there? I need some stories. I have now become one of you and can vent over and over about the fact that I had to come back to work this week when I really didn’t want to. Please comment and let’s laugh about it. Cheers!
Hello Sarah,
This is a very interesting and informative post. I didn’t know much about false labor, I had heard of it but I really didn’t experience it much when I was pregnant with my son. Although it is also possible selective memory is kicking in here since that was ten years ago now.
The tip you had for timing the difference in times between the contractions and if they vary in length it is false labor is something I will definitely remember in case there is a next time for me.
Have you noticed any correlation between exercise or physical activity and false labor? I was walking for several hours a day right up to the day my son was born. I realize exercise isn’t possible for everyone during the latter stages of pregnancy but since you mentioned walking after the false labor started, it made me think maybe there was some relationship.
Thanks again for the great information.
Sincerely,
Xin
Hi Xin. The only correlation between false labor and movement is it will tell you if you’re in true/false labor or not.
When you start moving, walking, etc. false labor will go away most often. When you start moving and your contractions continue, get stronger or closer together, then you are in TRUE labor.
So it’s possible that you didn’t have much false labor from walking every day before the birth of your son. But it’s more likely because you were simply in your first pregnancy.
The same thing happened to me. I’ve been active in all my pregnancies and did not have false labor until my third one.
Thanks for asking! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks for the excellent advice you provide on this post! I can remember as a young 20 year old with my wife as we went throigh this scenario several times as we waited for the fateful day to come!
I did not have a site such as this to assist or advise on many of the details of what all was to happen as we went together through pregnancy and briinging our first little girl into the world!
As I have said for other posts you have made, I just wish I had a plce ilike this to refer to during those days! Fortunately for my daughters (and grandaughters lol), there is now a place – here! I have passed the site on, they love it! Thanks for your effort!
Thanks for stopping by again Dave. I am even learning more and more myself with each pregnancy and perspective that comes along. And I thought I knew everything with my first baby from all the research I did. Boy was I wrong! I appreciate you sharing. Let your daughters and granddaughters know I am here to help. Best to you!
Hi Sarah!
Very interesting post! My wife and I are waiting out second baby in the end of October, and I found your post very useful.
We took a labor course like 4 years ago, before our first boy born, and we practically forgot everything 🙂 So this reminder is very handy.
I have a little question, being the second child changes anything related to the probability of go into false labor? Or it has nothing to do?
Thanks and best regards!!
False labor is more associated with a first pregnancy, but it’s a loose association. So I wouldn’t count out the possiblity that your wife may have false labor with this second pregnancy. As I said before, I’m on my third pregnancy and it’s my first time experiencing them. We almost cant discredit anything during times as these. Thanks for your question, Fito.
Hello Sarah,
I’m a guy so what do I know? I can say from going through five pregnancies and natural birth with all of them that false labor is a real pain in the rear (sort of). It can be very deceiving and disappointing for first time mothers, and the fathers too. The anticipation of having a baby really gets the best of you and you want the false labor to be real so it is very frustrating when it turns out to not be the real thing. I hope a lot of parents read your article because I know they will benefit from your knowledge and experience.
Rick
It’s IS frustrating! I really want this baby to come in August and my days are dwindling. So I was glad and not surprised when I thought I was in real labor this week. But then karma can be a witch sometimes! It’s definitely a patience builder. Thanks Rick!
Hi Sarah,
I enjoyed reading your post concerning the birthing process. Me and my wife are pass the child bearing years, but the information is very useful for people in the process of starting a family.
I can’t cover everything that I read on your site, but the information on false labor and the way you explained what is meant by Braxton Hicks, I never heard of this term during my wife’s pregnancy.
You gave good reviews on where books and classes can be found. Also, the tips given are very helpful. Your site looks great, Sarah. Keep up with writing good and helpful content. Take car.
I still see Braxton Hicks contractions referred to as false labor as well in readings that I come across. But they’re actually quite different in most cases. It’s confusing about any sort of labor, really. Thus I’m glad I was able to clarify for your. Thank you for your comment, Prince!
O…..M….G…. Ok, speaking as a woman who has never given birth I have to say that I did actually always think it was pretty much straight forward… but oh, no…. not with this whole False Labour stuff…!!! I had no idea it was all so complicated. But you know what…? Most of the time it’s about being prepared for what *could* happen that makes us ready for what *does* happen. This is a great post. First-hand knowledge is the best to pass on. Brilliant, and I’ll be passing on this web address to any of my friends who find themselves expecting any time soon 🙂 Great post, thank you 🙂
Birth, unless you’ve done it a few times consistently, is NEVER very straight forward. You actually made me laugh, Jyl, reading your comment. Every aspect associated with pregnancy, labor and childbirth can be expounded upon deeper and deeper without an end in sight, it seems. But overall, it can actually be quite simple, if you trust your body and are in tune with your instincts. That’s why I love the Birth Relaxation Kit because it can put you in that place of understanding, even without knowing all of the jargon and technical aspects of it all. Thank you for sharing and be sure to check out other great things on the FB and Pinterest pages. You’re awesome, Jyl!
Excellent! So well written and organized. I learned a lot. For instance, I’d never even heard of a “mucus plug.” What is that?
I especially like the side-by-side chart. That really helped us visualize the differences. Some of the symptoms aren’t so different, but others are. Like you say, it’s the randomness that will ultimately give away a false labor
This article is perfect for first, and multiple-times mothers. I want to go read all your articles now!
Thanks for the great tips
Your mucus plug is just what it sounds like. When you become pregnant, your body creates much thicker coatings on your mucus-lined membranes of your body, mainly your nose, oral cavity and vagina. It’s for added protection because your immune system is suppressed when pregnant. It covers your cervix your entire pregnancy and then becomes loosened and is ultimately flushed away when you start to dilate with late pregnancy symptoms . Hope that answers your question, Diana. Thanks for stopping by today and feel free to let me know if you have other questions from your reading.
It is very refreshing to be able to view a website like this. I was not familiar with false labor pains when I was pregnant with my first child. I do plan on having another child soon and this website in my book marks! Braxton Hicks contractions are something that I have never experienced, due to the fact that I have never been through labor. At least I know where to find information about what to look forward to if I ever do decide to have a natural childbirth. Good Job!
Hi Carrie! You may have actually had Braxton Hicks contractions and not even known it. Some women don’t even feel them, oftentimes with the first pregnancy. With your next one I imagine that you will. But Braxton Hicks aren’t painful, just annoying sometimes. Let me know how things are when you have that next bundle come along. Thanks!
So many of my friends are all about having natural births. this was a great post with a nice pictures and charts put within the article nicely. I would have maybe liked to see a little less content because it was kind of lengthy. It was still good though and I am sure if someone is willing to read this then they probably want to read all of it.
Thanks Chris!