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Giving birth - contractions

12-minute read

Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance in any of the following situations:

  • if your labour is progressing quickly and you think you may not make it to your planned birthing place in time
  • if you have heavy bleeding from your vagina
  • if you have a severe headache or blurred vision (signs of pre-eclampsia)

Key facts

  • Contractions are when the muscles of your uterus (womb) tighten and then relax.
  • Braxton Hicks contractions are practice contractions that don't open the cervix.
  • Active labour contractions help open the cervix and move the baby down the birth canal.
  • You can take a warm bath or shower to relieve the discomfort of contractions.
  • If you are giving birth in a hospital or birth centre, you may be offered medicines or epidural anaesthesia to help ease any discomfort caused by the contractions.

What is a contraction?

Braxton Hicks contractions (sometimes called 'practice contractions') can happen earlier in pregnancy but they do not usually open the cervix. They are:

  • often irregular (but may become regular)
  • more common at night
  • usually painless

They may feel uncomfortable during the third trimester.

Contractions refer to the muscles in your uterus (womb) tightening and then relaxing. These tightenings can happen anytime during pregnancy. Not all contractions are a sign of active labour. It is very important to call the birth unit at your hospital or your midwife immediately if you are having contractions before 37 weeks.

During active labour the contractions dilate (open) your cervix (the neck of your womb) and help move your baby downward during the first stage of labour.

Contractions become more frequent and more intense as labour progresses. You will feel the pain ease between contractions. Contractions continue until your cervix is fully dilated to 10 cm which allows space for your baby to be born.

What do contractions feel like?

People experience contractions in different ways. Some people feel slight discomfort, or some may feel intense and painful contractions. You may also experience back pain or lower abdominal pain. People can feel contractions in their:

  • lower abdomen like strong period-like pain
  • lower back or thighs
  • back, radiating around to the front and down their thighs

Everyone feels their contractions slightly differently.