Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Contractions
Introduction
Background
In medicine (obstetrics), a contraction is a forceful and painful motion of the uterus as part of the process of childbirth. Contractions, and labor in general, is one condition that releases the hormone oxytocin into the body.
Prior to actual labor, women may experience Braxton Hicks contractions, sometimes known as “false labor.”
The uterus also contracts during menstruation. These contractions may be uncomfortable or even painful, but they are generally significantly less painful than contractions during labor.
The harder and longer the contractions, the more the women has the urge to push. The women pushes on a contraction, which, as the labour intensifies, become longer.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]