Braxton Hicks contractions

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Braxton Hicks contractions

Braxton Hicks contractions (/ˈbrækstən ˈhɪks/), also known as practice contractions, are sporadic uterine contractions that sometimes start around six weeks into a pregnancy, although they are not usually felt until the second trimester or third trimester of pregnancy.

Etymology

The term "Braxton Hicks" was named after the English doctor John Braxton Hicks who first described them in 1872.

Definition

Braxton Hicks contractions are often infrequent, unpredictable, non-rhythmic, and more uncomfortable than painful. Unlike labor contractions, they do not increase in intensity or frequency over time and are not associated with any changes in the cervix.

Related Terms

  • Pregnancy: The state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within the female body.
  • Uterus: The organ in the lower body of a woman where offspring are conceived and in which they gestate before birth.
  • Cervix: The lower, narrow end of the uterus at the top of the vagina.
  • Labor contractions: A forceful and painful contraction of the uterus, signaling the start of childbirth.

See Also

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski