by a healthcare professional include: Any bleeding or fluid leakage from the vagina Contractions that are strong, frequent (every 5 minutes), and persisting for an hour Changes or significant decreases in fetal movement Management Although there is no specific medical treatment for Braxton Hicks contractions, some alleviating factors include: Adequate hydration Drinking warm milk, herbal tea, or having a small meal Urination to empty a full bladder Rhythmic breathing Lying down on the left side A mild change in movement or activity level Relaxing and de-stressing (e.g., a massage, nap, or warm bath) Trying other pain management techniques (e.g., practices from childbirth preparation class) History Braxton Hicks contractions are named after John Braxton Hicks, the English physician who first wrote about them in Western medicine. In 1872, he investigated the later stages of pregnancy and noted that many pregnant women felt contractions without being near birth. He examined the prevalence of uterine contractions throughout pregnancy and determined that contractions that do not lead to labor are a normal part of pregnancy. References Childbirth