Patient's question:
NoDoctor's answer:
A few days or weeks before delivery, you may feel contractions of the uterus, somewhat similar to abdominal pain during menstruation. This is the body's "practice run" for labor! These warm-up contractions are commonly referred to as Braxton Hicks contractions and are usually brief and not very uncomfortable. True labor contractions, on the other hand, become more frequent and increasingly painful. However, sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish between them, and an internal examination is necessary to determine.