Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification 2025 Practice Exam – The All-in-One Guide for Guaranteed Success!

Braxton Hicks contractions are often referred to as "false labor" and are a normal part of pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester. These contractions are irregular and usually do not lead to the progression of labor. They serve as practice for the body to prepare for true labor, helping to tone the uterine muscles. Braxton Hicks contractions can be triggered by factors such as dehydration, activity, or changes in the mother’s position.

The other symptoms listed, although common in pregnancy, do not specifically indicate false labor. Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation and is not applicable to the third trimester. Breast tenderness can occur throughout pregnancy due to hormonal changes but does not signify labor. Fatigue is also common in pregnancy and does not point toward false labor. Thus, the presence of Braxton Hicks contractions is the most relevant symptom indicating the onset of what is sometimes misidentified as labor, without actual labor progression.