Difference between true and false labor

Category

True Labor

False Labor

Contractions

 Begin irregularly but become regular and predictable.

 Usually have a consistent pattern of increasing frequency, duration and intensity.

 Tends to increase with walking.

 Begins in the lower back and gradually sweeps around to lower abdomen.

 Begin and remain irregular.

 Do not increase in duration, frequency and intensity.

 Often disappear with ambulation and sleep.

 Felt first abdominally and remain confined to the abdomen and groin.

Discomfort

 May persist as back pain in some women.

 Often resembles menstrual cramps during early labor.

 

 Discomfort confined at the abdomen and groin only.

Cervix

 Includes progressive effacement and dilation (most important characteristic).

 No cervical effacement and dilation noted.