“False” Labor
• Contractions generally tighten only portions of the uterus and rarely with back pressure • Usually of shorter duration (15-45 seconds)
• May not become closer together
• Do not increase in intensity
• Usually irregular in occurrence
• Changing activity or position may make them stop
True Labor
• Contractions generally tighten entire uterus and may be felt as pressure or in lower abdomen or back
• Become progressively longer in duration (up to 60 seconds or more)
• Become closer together
• Become progressively stronger in intensity
• Most often become regular in occurrence
• Changing activity or position does not make them stop