Early Contractions during second trimester
Sometimes, during your second trimester, you might start to feel mild, sporadic contractions.
Experienced especially when you are tired or dehydrated, or after sex.
These are normal contractions, and are called Braxton Hicks contractions or false labor.
They are your body’s way of rehearsing for birth. Think of them as a kind of warm-up for true labor.
Braxton Hicks contractions feel like a tightening of your abdomen, something like a sit-up.
They are usually mild and painless. At times it can be more painful. You might worry you are going into true labor, but these early contractions don’t happen at regular intervals and they don’t dilate your cervix.
As you get closer to your delivery, Braxton Hicks contractions may become more intense.
These contractions are worrisome if:
- You have any bleeding or fluid leaking from your vagina.
- Contractions are regular, close, and last 30 to 90 seconds. This indicates that you are in real labor, whether you are near your due date or not.
Contact your doctor immediately
Try these remedies:
- Take deep breathe during contraction.
- Try emptying your bladder.
- Change positions-Lie down if you’ve been standing. Move around if you’ve been sitting. Braxton Hicks contractions usually stop when you move around.
- Drink plenty of water. The contractions can be triggered by dehydration.
- Take a warm bath.