Braxton Hicks contractions occur from early in your pregnancy but you may not feel them until the second trimester. If this is your first pregnancy, you might start to feel them from about 16 weeks. In later pregnancies, you may feel Braxton Hicks contractions more often, or earlier. Some women won't feel them at all.

What week is Braxton Hicks most common?

In general, Braxton Hicks contractions start around 20 weeks of gestation, which falls in the second trimester. But many women can't feel Braxton Hicks until later in the third trimester. They'll usually stick around until you give birth. They're usually more intense in subsequent pregnancies.

What does Braxton Hicks feel like and when do they start?

What do Braxton Hicks feel like? They may be uncomfortable, but they are not painful. Women often describe Braxton Hicks contractions as feeling like mild menstrual cramps or a tightening in a specific area of the stomach that comes and goes. "I find them like a mild stitch that goes almost as quickly as it comes.