The last two weeks of the last trimester is the most awaited time during the entire course of pregnancy. This is where both couples and family members are excited about the coming of a new baby. During those last two weeks of pregnancy, you may experience occasional pain and sometimes an intense pain in your lower abdomen. They are called false labor pains. A False labor pain is a pain felt at the lower abdomen and a contraction from the fetus. It is often mistakenly perceive as labor pain. When you experience this, you are still far from true labor pain. The pain felt is just brought by fetal positioning in preparation of delivery.
What is a true labor pains and how will you know if the pain you are experiencing right now is a labor pain? True labor pains is a severe pain that starts in the lower abdominal area then radiates to the lower back or buttocks. True labor pains are associated with the following:
• Severe pain that starts from the lower abdominal area and radiates to the lower back.
• An interval pain that lasts about thirty minutes.
• An abdominal uterine contraction that lasts about 20 minutes.
• Rupture of the amniotic sac
• Blood show
• The abdominal contraction gradually shorten and pain gradually increases
• The total duration of labor is twelve hours, but at times it may exceed or advance.
Lets take a closer look on the difference between true labor pains and false labor pains
True labor pains False labor pains
The uterine contraction are regular and The uterine contraction are irregular and follow a pattern does not follow a pattern

The uterine contraction follow a progressive Does not follow a progressive contraction
Contraction (progressively longer and stronger).

The pain is generalized and stays in one place, Each contraction starts from the lower the lower abdominal area
abdominal area and radiates to the lower
back

Rupture of the amniotic sac No rupture of the amniotic sac

Dilatation of the cervix intact cervix

If you think you are experiencing true labor pains, contact your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital.