This viral video shows what Braxton Hicks actually look like – and just wow

Pregnancy comes with many surprises – and bodily changes.

One of these are Braxton Hicks – or, as some know them as, false labour contractions. According to the HSE, Braxton Hicks contractions happen when the muscles of your womb tighten. They are more common during the last few months of your pregnancy, but occur at any time.

Braxton Hicks contractions can happen on and off. However, these are just 'practice contractions,' but they are not labour contractions.If you have never been pregnant, you might be curious to learn what the heck 'practise contractions' look – and feel - like? Well now, thanks to TikTok, you can. Mum-of-four @5thbabybump – who is currently pregnant with her fifth baby – recently took to TikTok to show her followers what her Braxton Hicks look like 28 weeks into her pregnancy, whilst explaining what was happening to her body. “They can be uncomfortable, but shouldn’t be painful,” she wrote, in a caption accompanying footage of her womb contractions.

@5thbabybump My belly goes soft at the end #braxtonhicks? #braxtonhicks #babybump #babykicks #babybumplife #pregnancytiktok #babykicks? ♬ INFERNO - Sub Urban & Bella Poarch

“Most women won’t feel them until mid to late pregnancy,” she continued, whilst reminding her followers to stay hydrated. It is important to remember that even though it looks uncomfortable, Braxton Hicks are completely normal, and to most women, are completely painless, maybe just a little uncomfortable, as your womb tightened, then relaxes again – all in preparation for real labour. When @5thbabybump shared her video, it did not take long for the comment section to fill up with other mums and mums-to-be sharing their own experiences with Braxton Hicks. One follower admitted she felt worried she had never had Braxton Hicks contractions even though she was 38 weeks pregnant. "I’m 38 weeks and still don’t have them, I’m so confused," she wrote, but others quickly reassured her that not everyone gets them, so it was nothing to worry about. Others were quick to advise everyone that keeping hydrated does help, so making sure to drink lots of water is a good idea. Did YOU have Braxton Hicks contractions when pregnant? Let us know in the comments.