Pre-eclampsia - how your body prepares for childbirth

Verified and reviewed by: Midwife Maria Midstam 

Sensing pain at the end of pregnancy is completely normal. Many pregnant women wonder if it means they're in labor - but often it's about exacerbation, also known as Braxton Hicks.

Here we explain what exacerbations are, how they feel, how you can relieve the pain and when you should seek medical help.

What are exacerbations and why do you get them?

Precursors are training the uterus for childbirth.
The womb (uterus) contracts to strengthen the muscles and prepare the cervix (neck of the womb) for the opening phase.

The purpose of exacerbations:

• Strengthening the uterine muscles
• Softening the cervix before childbirth
• Stimulating blood flow to the uterus and placenta

It is therefore a signs that your body is working properly - even if it may be uncomfortable.

How do exacerbations feel?

Headaches are reminiscent of common contractions, but they are often slightly stronger and irregular.

They can feel like:

• A downward pressure in the pelvis
• Aching pain in the lower back
• A feeling that radiates to the groin
• A tension in the stomach that spreads from top to bottom

For first-time mothers they can be difficult to distinguish from real contractions.
For women giving birth they can be felt more clearly because the body recognizes the process.

How long can you have exacerbations?

Worse may come several weeks before giving birth. Some feel them already in weeks 25-30, others only towards the end.

They can be more noticeable in the evenings, especially after an active day or if you are tired. They don't always mean that labor is about to start - your body is just gradually preparing.

How to relieve exacerbations

When exacerbations become uncomfortable, there are several simple ways to relieve them:

• Take one hot bath or shower - heat relaxes the muscles.
• Use heating pad, especially on the lower back.
• Rest, change position and drink plenty of water.
• Test breathing techniques to reduce tension and anxiety.
• If necessary, take paracetamol - but always consult your midwife first.

When should you seek care?

Seek care immediately if you:

• Has severe pain that does not go away with rest
• Markers bleeding or water loss
• Experiencing reduced fetal movements

This may be a sign that labor started too early or that something needs to be checked.

Distinguishing pre-term labor from post-term labor

Aggravation:

• Irregular
• Decreases with rest or heat
• Feels like tension or mole pain

labor pains:

• Regular and increasing in strength
• Coming more frequently
• Continues even at rest

FAQ - Frequently asked questions about exacerbations

1. Are exacerbations dangerous?
No, they are completely harmless and show that the body is training for childbirth.

2. How often should you have exacerbations?
They can come irregularly - sometimes several times a day, sometimes several days apart.

3. Can exacerbations affect the child?
No, they do not negatively affect the child.

4. How do I know that labor has started?
When the contractions become regular, stronger and closer together - especially if water or mucus plugs depart.

5. How long before the birth do the contractions start?
It varies - some get them for weeks, others just days before.

6. Should you go to the hospital in case of exacerbations?
Only if your contractions increase rapidly, become regular or if you are worried. Otherwise, consult your midwife

It's perfectly normal to feel some pain in the last few weeks of pregnancy, but what exactly are they? Regular contractions or labor that starts several weeks early? In many cases, these are what are known as pre-term labor pains, also known as Braxton Hicks. Here we help you find out what they feel like and what causes them.