Uterine contractions, weak and irregular, occur throughout pregnancy. Some pointers worth a read:

• Out of nowhere belly-tightening and cramp-like sensation start to bother you.

• As quickly, there is a gradual release.

• If you place your hand on your abdomen you may feel a hardening and tightening of your uterus.

• In one line it can be described as contractions with the cervix remaining tightly closed.

• It can start as early as week 20 but gets more obvious around week 30 for many women. It may continue right up until the real act of labor begins.

• Many women start seeing Braxton Hicks as a form of practice to the real thing.

• Usually mild, in some cases it can get extreme causing pain and going on for hours at end.

Confused? The rule of the thumb to remember is that
• these contractions come and go

• they may last for long in extreme cases but disappear for a few hours or days.

Some sure signs that you are not experiencing actual labor are:
• your contractions are irregular

• your contractions are long and sporadic, as long as 10-20 minutes with no steady pattern

• contractions usually weaken or stop when you change positions

• contractions do not grow progressively stronger; they may weaken and disappear altogether