It can be confusing to tell the difference between ‘warm-up’ contractions (“braxton-hicks”) and the start of true labour. Review this chart to help understand the difference.
| TRUE LABOUR CONTRACTIONS |
BRAXTON-HICKS CONTRACTIONS |
| Eventually tighten the entire uterus |
Tighten portions of the uterus |
| Usually cause pressure on the lower back and/or lower abdomen |
Don’t usually cause back pressure |
| Last longer over time |
Don’t last longer over time |
| Become stronger over time |
Don’t become stronger over time |
| Grow closer together |
Don’t grow closer together |
| Don’t stop when you change your activity, and walking may make them stronger |
May stop when you change your activity, including resting, walking, or taking a warm bath |
| Cause the cervix to thin and open |
Don’t cause the cervix to change |
Check out this video for more information on contractions and early term labour.
Timing Contractions
When you feel true labour contractions, time how long they last and how often they occur. This information helps your health-care provider assess your progress. You can use an online or Contraction Timer app for your smartphone or device, or track them manually with a timer, pen, and paper.
Note: timing contractions can be a great job for your partner or support person.
To manually time contractions:
- Use a watch, phone, or other electronic device that counts seconds.
- Write down what time it is when each contraction starts (as soon as you feel the uterus tightening) and what time it is once all the tightness is gone; the difference between the two times tells you the duration of each contraction.
- Continue to record the start and end times for each contraction to determine if the contractions are becoming longer and happening more frequently (frequency is measured from the start of one contraction to the start of the next one).
When to Go to the Hospital
Many parents wonder when the best time is to go to the hospital or birth facility after labour starts. A general rule of thumb is that you do not want to go until your contractions are in a “5-1-1” pattern:
- Contractions are 5 minutes apart,
- Last 1 minute or more each contraction,
- Remain in this pattern for at least 1 hour.
Exceptions to the “511” Guideline
You may be instructed to go to the hospital sooner than “511” if you:
- Vomit with contractions.
- Feel rectal pressure.
- Are unable to walk or talk through contractions.
- Think your bag of waters has broken.
- Have vaginal bleeding.
- Tested positive for Group B Strep and need additional time at the hospital for the administration of antibiotics.
- Live far from the hospital.
- Progress quickly (call 911 and get into a side-lying position if you are having an extremely fast labour).
Use “511” as a general guide about when you should go to the hospital, but always follow your health-care provider’s specific instructions.
Services related to this information:
- Contact your Public Health Nurse for immunizations and other prenatal support.
- 811 HealthLine (Newfoundland & Labrador) – Call 811 or 1-888-709-2929 / TTY 1-888-709-3555
Eastern Zones:
