Dawaa Reference

Clinical reference

False labour (Braxton Hicks contractions)

Treatment options, dosing, cautions and Egyptian brands from the shipped Dawaa Reference card.

Evidence status

Checked against the sources named below

Sources3 sources

Braxton Hicks Contractions - StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf NBK470546) - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470546/ · ICPC-3 (WONCA International Classification of Primary Care, 3rd edition) class WD99.00 - condition scope only, no dose · No dose - referral pathway, no medicine given in primary care

Verified against2 documents
  • No dose - referral pathway, no medicine given in primary care
  • False labour (Braxton Hicks contractions) - disease-level clinical article (false-labour-braxton-hicks-full.txt)

Verified date2026-08

Presentation reference

Is it this?

Reference only, to read alongside your own examination.

Symptoms — what the patient reports (5)

  • The contractions come irregularly and do not get closer together as time passes [uterine contractions]
  • Each episode may last anywhere from under 30 seconds up to 2 minutes
  • These contractions are typically mild and either stay steady or fade away rather than intensifying [uterine contractions]
  • Discomfort is usually confined to the front of the belly or one localized spot
  • Changing position or activity can make them stop, and the woman can often sleep through them

Signs — what you find (2)

  • The examiner may feel tightening or spasm-like firmness in the uterine muscle on palpation [spasm]
  • A cervical exam shows no change in effacement or dilation from these contractions

If not this — what else fits (3)

  • Abdominal distention, amenorrhea, ascites, or a full bladder can all mimic the sensation of contractions
  • Hematometra, nausea, ovarian cysts, and pseudocyesis are also on the differential
  • Uterine fibroids and vomiting round out the list of differentials

SourceStatPearls "Braxton Hicks Contractions" - disease-level clinical article

Presentation findings are traced to the source above.

1

NO DRUG THERAPY IN PRIMARY CARE (RECOGNITION & REFERRAL)

1st line
Adult dose and duration

Irregular contractions without cervical change, common in the third trimester; the GP reassures and distinguishes this from true labour rather than prescribing. - Refer

Paediatric dose

Adult-only condition - paediatric section not applicable

Dose source

No dose - referral pathway, no medicine given in primary care

Why

Irregular contractions without cervical change, common in the third trimester; the GP reassures and distinguishes this from true labour rather than prescribing.

Cautions
  • Regular painful contractions with cervical dilation, bleeding, or fluid leakage should be treated as possible true or preterm labour and referred.
  • No medicine is prescribed for this in primary care - this entry is for recognition and referral. Anything given is decided by the service it is referred to.
  • RED FLAG - Immediate contact is required for red flags: vaginal bleeding, fluid leaking, strong contractions every 5 minutes for an hour, or decreased fetal movement (<10 movements in 2 hours).

Prices are indicative (dataset snapshot 2026-06); verify with the pharmacy.