Braxton Hicks contractions can start as early as six weeks into pregnancy, but they are usually not felt until the second or third trimester. Most commonly, parents begin to notice these contractions in the second trimester, with increasing frequency and intensity in the third trimester, especially after the 20th week and more noticeably from week 28 to 30 onward. These contractions are irregular, usually short (lasting 15 to 30 seconds, sometimes up to 2 minutes), and do not indicate actual labor. They are often described as a tightening or squeezing sensation in the front of the abdomen, sometimes triggered by dehydration, physical activity, a full bladder, or sexual intercourse.
