Contractions during prelabor are described as

• A. Always painful and regular
• B. Do not occur before active labor
• C. May be mild or intense, frequent or infrequent but they are NOT progressing
• D. They cause immediate cervical dilation

Answer: (C)

During prelabor, contractions can occur that feel real but don’t signal true labor progression. These are often called Braxton Hicks or prodromal contractions and can be mild or intense, frequent or infrequent. The key is that they do not become regular or increase in a pattern that drives cervical changes. True labor contractions, in contrast, grow more regular, longer, and closer together and are associated with progressive cervical dilation and effacement. So, contractions in prelabor may vary in strength and frequency, yet they do not indicate ongoing labor progression.