Medical Dictionary

Braxton–Hicks contractions

noun pl Brax·ton–Hicks contractions \ˌbrak-stən-ˈhiks-\

Medical Definition of BRAXTON-HICKS CONTRACTIONS

:  relatively painless nonrhythmic contractions of the uterus that occur during pregnancy with increasing frequency over time but are not associated with labor

Biographical Note for BRAXTON-HICKS CONTRACTIONS

Hicks, John Braxton (1823–1897), British gynecologist. In 1871 Hicks presented evidence before the Obstetrical Society that contractions of the uterus appear early in pregnancy and persist through delivery. A year later he published his findings on these contractions, which now bear his name.

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