How do I recognize exercise contractions? What distinguishes them from Senkwehen?

Exercise contractions from the 20th week of pregnancy

If you feel slight contractions a few weeks before giving birth, then this is not so unusual. Because with the so-called exercise contractions, which are also referred to as trial contractions, wild contractions or Braxton-Hicks contractions, the uterus prepares for the birth and trains. Sometimes these contractions can occur as early as the 20th or 25th week of pregnancy.

Some women find them rather painful, some feel little or nothing at all. However, they do not open thecervixunlike thelabor pains. Exactly the opposite is the case: During trial labor, the cervix cramps and closes even tighter.

How to recognize exercise contractions

The first contractions are rather weak and many pregnant women hardly notice them. At the end of pregnancy, it is quite possible that they will become stronger, which is quite normal and safe. Your stomach then hardens very irregularly for about a minute: this can be once an hour or now and then several times a day. Exercise contractions andpremature laborare difficult to distinguish because they are about the same severity.

However, if your stomach hardens uncomfortably more than four times an hour or more than ten times a day, it is advisable to contact your doctor. Also, a feeling of pressure or pain in the abdomen, severe back pain or discharge and bleeding must not occur together with exercise contractions. These could also be signs of premature labor.