How to Recognize False Labor

It is very common for women to think that they are in labor only to find out it's "false labor"—contractions that are irregular and unpredictable, don't progress over time, and slow down or stop.

Contraction:	True Labor	False Labor
Frequency	Regular and grow closer together	Remain irregular
Length and intensity	More than 30 seconds at onset and last progressively longer, up to 60 seconds, and stronger	Vary in length and intensity
Relation to your activity	Continue regardless of activity, grow stronger with increased activity such as walking	Often stop regardless of activity
Where it is felt	Begin high in abdomen and radiate throughout entire abdomen and lower back, or vice versa