Contact careCheck with your care teamSymptom guidance

Braxton Hicks, contractions and possible labour

Irregular tightenings can occur, but regular, painful or intensifying contractions—or any concern about labour before 37 weeks—need maternity guidance.

Direct guidance

What to know or do

Time the pattern without delaying contact. Follow the labour plan your maternity service gave you rather than relying on a universal interval rule.

What changes the answer

  • When it began, whether it is worsening, and how it affects eating, sleep or activity
  • Severity, pattern, one-sided symptoms and accompanying bleeding, fever or fluid loss
  • Pregnancy week, baby movement and relevant conditions or medicines

Check with your care team

When to get individual help

Contact your doctor or maternity service promptly and describe the timing, severity, associated symptoms and pregnancy week so they can choose the right assessment.