Final answer:
Braxton Hicks contractions can be felt as a tightening in the abdomen or groin and are less painful than true labor contractions. True labor includes cervical dilation, baby expulsion, and afterbirth, with contractions that increase in intensity and lead to childbirth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pregnant women might feel pain from Braxton Hicks contractions in the abdomen or groin area. These contractions are often described as a tightening sensation that can be uncomfortable but not usually as painful as true labor contractions. They are sometimes referred to as 'false labor' because they can be mistaken for the onset of labor. However, Braxton Hicks contractions do not generally lead to cervical dilation and are considered a normal part of pregnancy. They may occur sporadically and vary in intensity and frequency.
In contrast, true labor contractions, which signify the beginning of childbirth, involve regular, strong contractions that increase in intensity and frequency over time. These contractions are due to the stretching of the myometrium and cervix by a full-term fetus and are coupled with myometrial hypoxia during contractions. True labor progresses through three stages: cervical dilation, expulsion of the newborn, and afterbirth, with the cervix dilating to about 10 cm to allow the baby to pass through the birth canal.