# False labour (Braxton Hicks contractions)

- Category: chronic
- Review status: reviewed (every claim checked against a document named on this page)
- Sources: Braxton Hicks Contractions - StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf NBK470546) - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470546/ · ICPC-3 (WONCA International Classification of Primary Care, 3rd edition) class WD99.00 - condition scope only, no dose · No dose - referral pathway, no medicine given in primary care
- Verified date: 2026-08

## Verified against

- No dose - referral pathway, no medicine given in primary care
- False labour (Braxton Hicks contractions) - disease-level clinical article (false-labour-braxton-hicks-full.txt)

## Treatment metadata

- No drug therapy in primary care (Recognition & Referral)

## Complete treatment card

```text
FALSE LABOUR (BRAXTON HICKS CONTRACTIONS)
Sources: Braxton Hicks Contractions - StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf NBK470546) -
         https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470546/ · ICPC-3 (WONCA International Classification
         of Primary Care, 3rd edition) class WD99.00 - condition scope only, no dose · No dose -
         referral pathway, no medicine given in primary care
Review status: REVIEWED against No dose - referral pathway, no medicine given in primary care, False
               labour (Braxton Hicks contractions) - disease-level clinical article
               (false-labour-braxton-hicks-full.txt)  (2026-08)

IS IT THIS? - reference only, to read alongside your own examination
  SYMPTOMS - what the patient reports (5)
    - The contractions come irregularly and do not get closer together as time passes  [uterine
      contractions]
    - Each episode may last anywhere from under 30 seconds up to 2 minutes
    - These contractions are typically mild and either stay steady or fade away rather than
      intensifying  [uterine contractions]
    - Discomfort is usually confined to the front of the belly or one localized spot
    - Changing position or activity can make them stop, and the woman can often sleep through them
  SIGNS - what you find (2)
    - The examiner may feel tightening or spasm-like firmness in the uterine muscle on palpation
      [spasm]
    - A cervical exam shows no change in effacement or dilation from these contractions
  IF NOT THIS - what else fits (3)
    - Abdominal distention, amenorrhea, ascites, or a full bladder can all mimic the sensation of
      contractions
    - Hematometra, nausea, ovarian cysts, and pseudocyesis are also on the differential
    - Uterine fibroids and vomiting round out the list of differentials
  Source  StatPearls "Braxton Hicks Contractions" - disease-level clinical article
  Status  traced to the source above

1. NO DRUG THERAPY IN PRIMARY CARE (RECOGNITION & REFERRAL)[1st line]
   Adult    Irregular contractions without cervical change, common in the third trimester; the GP
            reassures and distinguishes this from true labour rather than prescribing. - Refer
   Peds     Adult-only condition - paediatric section not applicable
   Source   No dose - referral pathway, no medicine given in primary care
   Why      Irregular contractions without cervical change, common in the third trimester; the GP
            reassures and distinguishes this from true labour rather than prescribing.
   Caution  Regular painful contractions with cervical dilation, bleeding, or fluid leakage should
            be treated as possible true or preterm labour and referred.
            No medicine is prescribed for this in primary care - this entry is for recognition and
            referral. Anything given is decided by the service it is referred to.
            RED FLAG - Immediate contact is required for red flags: vaginal bleeding, fluid leaking,
            strong contractions every 5 minutes for an hour, or decreased fetal movement (<10
            movements in 2 hours).

Prices are indicative (dataset snapshot 2026-06); verify with the pharmacy.
```

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