For the album Braxton Hicks by Jebediah see Braxton Hicks (album).

Braxton Hicks' contractions, also known as false labour (British English, false labor in American English) or practice contractions, occur during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. It is a tightening of the uterine muscles for up to one minute and is thought to be an aid to the body in its preparation for birth. Not all expectant mothers have these contractions which can start as early as 20 weeks into the pregnancy. They are thought to be part of the process of effacement , the thinning and dilation of the cervix.

Braxton Hicks are named after the English doctor that first described them. In 1872, John Braxton Hicks investigated the latter stages of pregnancy and noted that many women felt contractions without being anywhere near birth. This process was usually painless but caused confusion to the women as to whether or not they were going into actual labour. It has since been found that Braxton Hicks' contractions are much less noticeable during exercise, real contractions, however, do not.

Dehydration is thought to be a contributory factor in extended Braxton Hicks contractions.