How Does False Labor Differ From the Real Thing?

It's the end of your pregnancy. You're big, you're tired, and you're beyond ready to meet the tiny person who has been making their home in your belly for the better part of a year. With every twinge in your tummy or ache in your back, you're wondering if you're having a contraction. But you might not be experiencing the real thing just yet. In fact, many people will have quite a few labor "scares" before true labor actually starts.

False labor, which is also sometimes called practice contractions or prodromal labor, is common in the last few weeks of pregnancy. While similar to real labor in that both involve contractions and abdominal discomfort, false labor doesn't progress toward actual labor and delivery.

Here's the lowdown on what false labor is, why it happens, how to distinguish between real and false labor, and how long prodromal labor lasts.

What Is False Labor?

False labor has a lot of names: pre-labor, prodromal labor, and latent labor, to name a few. It's basically “when you have contractions, at term, not resulting in a delivery,” says Colleen Wittenberg, MD, an OB-GYN with Kaiser Permanente in Riverside, California.

You may have heard of pregnant people heading to the hospital, breathing through strong contractions the whole way there, just to be told that what they're feeling isn't "real" labor and that they should go home and wait it out. Frustrating, right? This can be the result of false labor. This phenomenon can present in different ways for different people, so it's often hard to pin down.

What Causes False Labor?

It's unknown exactly what causes false or prodromal labor—or why some people experience it more intensely than others. However, researchers suspect it may be the body's way of "practicing" for real labor, as these false labor pains may help strengthen the uterine muscles and ligaments. That said, having prodromal labor doesn't trigger real labor and isn't linked with a faster delivery once the real thing actually begins.

While there’s no direct cause of prodromal labor, some pregnant people anecdotally report that it can result from a long day, stress, or lots of physical activity. However, it may seem to be triggered by nothing in particular and could just be your body's way of getting ready to go into labor for real.

What Does False Labor Feel Like?

Prodromal labor usually presents as "contractions that range from mild to strong and may be regular or irregular in their frequency and duration," explains Kristi Angevine, MD, FACOG, an OB-GYN in Bend, Oregon.

These contractions might come and go, typically every five to 10 minutes, but they don't become more frequent. There can be pelvic and back pressure, abdominal tightening, vaginal discharge, and scant spotting, but no heavy bleeding.

The main thing to remember is that while it can feel a lot like early labor, false labor contractions don't increase in frequency or intensity, and they don't result in any changes to the cervix like true labor contractions do.

How Long After False Labor Is Real Labor?

False labor can happen weeks or even months before you actually go into active labor. You can also experience false labor days or hours before the real thing begins. Or you might not experience prodromal labor at all. Research shows that false labor doesn't trigger active labor. So, having false labor—or not—isn't a reliable indicator of when your real labor will start.

How Long Does False Labor Last?

Prodromal labor can last anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks before actual labor begins, says Kaylah Rondon, MD, a physician at Atlantic Medical Group’s Women’s Health in Westfield, New Jersey. Some birth professionals think that extended prodromal labor is related to the baby's position in the uterus, but there's no consensus for that being a factor.

If you experience prodromal labor, don't get discouraged. It's normal—and if you're worried, speak to your medical provider. While it may not mean that you're going to meet your baby in the next few hours (or even days), experiencing prodromal labor does mean that your body is getting ready for real labor, prepping for the process that's going to bring your baby to you. That's ultimately a good thing.

When To Call Your Health Care Provider

Generally, if your contractions are getting stronger, closer together, and more painful, call your medical provider to decide if it's time to head to the hospital or birthing center. Other signs of real labor are lower backache and cramps.

Don't worry if you call multiple times with false alarms—that's totally normal and expected. Your medical provider wants to know about any changes in your symptoms and to discuss any of your questions or concerns.

Ultimately, if you're ever worried or unsure about what you are feeling, check in with your prenatal health care provider. Often, just a phone call is needed for them to tell if what you're experiencing is false labor or the real deal—though they might also ask you to come in to get checked out if you're worried or your symptoms are unclear.