From the Guidelines
False labor, also known as Braxton Hicks contractions, can be identified by irregular, uncomfortable but not painful contractions that subside with rest, as opposed to the regular and painful uterine contractions characteristic of true labor. The key signs of false labor include:
- Irregular timing of contractions
- Contractions that are generally uncomfortable but not painful
- Contractions that subside with rest
- Contractions that are irregular in their timing and do not increase in intensity or frequency over time 1. Some other signs that may distinguish false labor from true labor include:
- Contractions that don't cause progressive cervical dilation or effacement
- Contractions that don't get closer together
- Contractions that remain at the same intensity
- Contractions that may stop when you walk, rest, or change positions. It is essential to note that if you're unsure whether you're experiencing false or true labor, especially if you're less than 37 weeks pregnant, it's best to contact your healthcare provider, as preterm labor requires prompt medical attention 1.
From the Research
Signs of False Labor
The signs of false labor can be difficult to distinguish from true labor, but several studies have identified some key differences.
- Cervical dilation with preterm contraction cannot be used as an indication of true labor 2
- False labor is associated with somatic scores on the MAMA scale, contraction frequency, cervical Bishop scores, gestational age, and Apgar scores 3
- Uterine activity characteristics such as low-amplitude high-frequency contractility, contraction amplitude, contraction duration, contraction interval, and contraction rhythmicity are not effective in differentiating true from threatened preterm labor, except for contraction frequency 4
- The propagation velocity of the electrohysterographic signal can be used to distinguish between true and false labor, with an estimated average propagation velocity of 2.18 (±0.68) cm/s 5
- Sonographic landmarks such as cervical length and uterocervical angle can be used to differentiate "false labor" and "early true labor", with an optimal cervical length cut-off of 1.4mm and an optimal uterocervical angle cut-off of 123° 6
Characteristics of False Labor
False labor is often characterized by:
- Less painful and less frequent contractions compared to true labor 6
- Increased frequency of abnormal labor patterns, intervention with amniotomy, and oxytocin augmentation 3
- Negative emotional responses from women experiencing false labor 3
Diagnostic Criteria
The diagnostic criteria for false labor are not well established, but several studies suggest that:
- Cervical dilation and contraction frequency are not reliable indicators of true labor 2, 4
- Uterine activity monitoring and electrohysterography may be useful in distinguishing between true and false labor 4, 5
- Sonographic landmarks such as cervical length and uterocervical angle may be useful in differentiating "false labor" and "early true labor" 6