Mercy OB-GYN Dr. Robert Atlas Discusses Braxton Hicks Contractions
March 07, 2022
Non-labor contractions are easy to mistake for actual labor pains.
"Braxton Hicks" contractions happen when the womb contracts and relaxes intermittently during pregnancy.
They're also sometimes called false labor, pre-labor or practice contractions because they're often mistaken for true labor contractions.
According to Dr. Robert Atlas, Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mercy Medical Center, the difference is in how many are occurring and how long it lasts.
Braxton Hicks contractions occur in the uterus and condition it and the cervix for the coming delivery. Such contractions are normal and may occur in the course of pregnancy.
Dr. Atlas is a key leader within The Family Childbirth and Children’s Center, regularly providing strategic direction and recommendations for enhancements to the patient experience.
View Mercy OB-GYN Dr. Robert Atlas' interview regarding Braxton Hicks contractions.
About Mercy
Founded in 1874 in Downtown Baltimore by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Medical Center is a 183-licensed bed, acute care, university-affiliated teaching hospital. Mercy has been recognized as a high-performing Maryland hospital (U.S. News & World Report); has achieved an overall 5-Star quality, safety, and patient experience rating (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services); is A-rated for Hospital Safety (Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade); and is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet™ hospital. Mercy Health Services is a not-for-profit health system and the parent company of Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Personal Physicians.
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