How many days before delivery do false pains start?

Some women feel false pains 2–3 weeks before delivery. It varies. It doesn’t mean you’ll go into labour soon.

Can false labour be painful?

Yes. It can feel tight and uncomfortable, especially at night, but it comes and goes.

What if I go to the hospital and it's not labour?

That’s fine. It’s better to be sure. Doctors expect some false alarms.

Can labour start without pain?

In rare cases, the water breaks first, and pain comes later. Always call your doctor if fluid leaks.

Real vs False Labour: How to Know the Difference

In the last month of pregnancy, it can be hard to tell if the pain you're feeling is the start of labour

or just your body getting ready. Many women feel stomach tightening, lower back pain, or cramps, but not all of it means labour has started.

These are often called false labour pains or practice pains, and they can happen days or even weeks before delivery. Knowing the difference between these and real labour pains can help you avoid unnecessary panic or hospital visits. It also ensures you don’t ignore actual labour when it starts.

What Is False Labour Pain or ‘Practice Pain’?

In the last few weeks of pregnancy, your uterus starts preparing for the real work. These early tightenings are known as false labour or practice contractions.
They may feel like:

Your belly tightening for a few seconds
A mild pain that comes and goes
A feeling that your stomach is becoming hard

These pains are usually not harmful and don’t mean you are going into labour. They are more common in the third trimester, especially in the last month.

How Real Labour Pains Actually Feel

True labour is your body’s way of starting the delivery process. The cervix (the opening of the uterus) starts to open, and the contractions help the baby move down.
Signs the pain is real:

Pain comes in regular intervals and starts getting closer together
Each pain lasts about 30 to 60 seconds
It gets stronger and more intense over time
Pain starts from the back and moves to the front of your stomach
It doesn’t go away with rest, sleep, or drinking water
You may feel pelvic pressure or a need to poop
You might also see a bloody discharge or your water breaking

This means labour has started or is starting soon.

How to Know If Labour Has Really Started

You don’t need a machine to figure out what your body is doing. These signs help you know if it’s the real thing:
1. The pain keeps coming and gets stronger
If the pain starts weak and becomes stronger with time, and doesn’t stop with movement or lying down, it’s likely real.
2. You feel the pain in your back and lower belly
False pain is mostly in the front. Real labour pain often starts in your back and travels forward.
3. The pain follows a pattern
In real labour, contractions come every few minutes, slowly become more frequent, and each one lasts longer. If you can predict when the next pain will come, labour may have begun.
4. No relief with water, rest, or sleep

If it continues even after changing your position, taking a bath, or drinking water, it’s not false pain.
5. You feel pressure in your pelvis
As the baby drops lower, you may feel pressure or heaviness near your vagina or even feel the urge to push.

What Kind of Pain Means It’s Time to Go to the Hospital

You should head to the hospital immediately if you notice:

Contractions every 5–10 minutes that don’t stop
Pain that increases and doesn't go away
Water breaking (a gush or slow leak of fluid from the vagina)
Heavy bleeding (not just light discharge)
Sharp, constant back pain
Baby not moving as much as usual

These are all signs that real labour may be in progress or something needs urgent medical attention.

When False Pains Feel Too Real

Many women feel that the pain of Braxton Hicks is more than just “mild”. And that’s valid. It can be:

A tight, cramping feeling in the lower stomach
Random pains that make you stop walking
Discomfort that comes at night and disturbs your sleep

Even if it’s not labour, these pains can affect your daily life, especially if you’re in your 37th or 38th week.

How to Get Relief From False Labour Pains at Home

Here’s what you can do to ease the discomfort:

Drink water: low fluids can trigger contractions
Change your position: stand up if you’ve been lying down, or lie on your left side
Use a hot water bag on your lower back
Take a warm shower (not too hot)
Empty your bladder regularly
Rest and breathe slowly
Do light stretches if your doctor has allowed it

If the pain eases after trying these, it’s most likely false labour.

What Happens at the Hospital If You’re Not in Real Labour Yet?

Don’t worry if you go in and it turns out to be a false alarm. Doctors may:

Check your cervix to see if it’s opening
Monitor contractions using a machine
Listen to the baby’s heartbeat
Send you home if it’s not active labour yet

This is very normal. Many women go 2–3 times before they are actually admitted for delivery.

Real labour usually comes with a pattern, increasing pain, and changes in the cervix. False labour is more like a rehearsal. Your body is getting ready, but it’s not time yet. Don’t feel shy or worried about going to the hospital if you’re unsure. Many women go more than once before it’s the real thing. What matters is knowing your body, staying calm, and trusting your instincts.

Whether you’re pregnant, a new mom, or navigating postpartum, you don’t have to do it alone. Join our support group to connect, share, and support one another.

FAQs on How to Know If Labour Has Started or It’s Just False Pain

How many days before delivery do false pains start?
Some women feel false pains 2–3 weeks before delivery. It varies. It doesn’t mean you’ll go into labour soon.
Can false labour be painful?
Yes. It can feel tight and uncomfortable, especially at night, but it comes and goes.
What if I go to the hospital and it's not labour?
That’s fine. It’s better to be sure. Doctors expect some false alarms.
Can labour start without pain?
In rare cases, the water breaks first, and pain comes later. Always call your doctor if fluid leaks.