Which term describes false labor contractions?

• A. True Labor
• B. Braxton Hicks Contractions
• C. Crowning
• D. Supine Hypotensive Syndrome

Answer: (B)

False labor contractions are Braxton Hicks contractions. They feel like tightening or discomfort in the abdomen but occur irregularly and don’t follow a predictable pattern. Unlike true labor, they don’t progressively lengthen, intensify, or occur more closely together, and they don’t cause lasting cervical change (dilation or effacement). They often appear in the later stages of pregnancy and can be influenced by factors like dehydration, a full bladder, or activity; rest and hydration can help relieve them.

In contrast, true labor involves regular, increasingly frequent contractions that grow stronger over time and are associated with changes in the cervix, such as dilation and effacement. Crowning refers to the moment the baby’s head becomes visible at the vaginal opening during labor, not a contraction type. Supine hypotensive syndrome is a condition caused by lying flat on the back that can lead to dizziness or faintness, not a term for contractions.