how long did you have contractions before you were in active labor?

With DS I was induced so I have no terms of comparison. All I know is that I've been extremely crampy and have been braxton hicks that last 30sec-1min each since last night. I've been trying to go about my day because they aren't following a specific pattern and haven't gotten really painful. I have no idea if this is the early onset of labor, or is this is regular BH. If I was starting to go into labor, how long would this feeling last before going into active labor? I never felt like this with DS. I am 38w4d. Honestly, if this is normal, this really suxs!!! I sure as sh!t don't want to feel like this for another 10 days.

Re: how long did you have contractions before you were in active labor?

I started contracting 11pm the night before....every half hour,I would shoot out of bed in pain. Before that I had nothin!

Re: how long did you have contractions before you were in active labor?

I've been feeling this way on and off (mostly on) for 24 hours now. They've been mostly uncomfortable and tight feeling, but now they are starting to hurt a little.

Re: how long did you have contractions before you were in active labor?

how long in between each one? If it's less than 10 minutes in between each one... then you might be ready to go soon.

Re: how long did you have contractions before you were in active labor?

they started at 6 am.

DD was born at 11:30 PM.

as said above...if they are 10 min apart or less - you may be ready!!!

Re: how long did you have contractions before you were in active labor?

I had contractions like the ones you're describing for a week before labor. I also had them a few hours before active labor kicked in

Re: how long did you have contractions before you were in active labor?

Re: how long did you have contractions before you were in active labor?

I had braxton hicks contractions (just tightening and uncomfortable not painful) every 10 minutes for about 24 hours. They started on a Monday morning. When I woke up tuesday at 6 am, they started to hurt. They became painful enough that I made DH come home from work at around 8:30. I went to the Dr at 10 am and I was 5 cms, DD was born that afternoon.

edit: spelling

Message edited 2/17/2010 8:28:30 PM.

Re: how long did you have contractions before you were in active labor?

Mine started like that at 28 weeks Had a c-section at 39 weeks b/c he was breech, so for me they meant nothing! Mine were erratic, sometime they would be frequent (8-10 an hour) but I was usually able to make them go away by laying down and drinking water. I did end up in the hospital twice though because they were so frequent. I hope they mean something good for you though, I know how annoying they are!!

Re: how long did you have contractions before you were in active labor?

I had contractions on and off like you're describing for over a week before I was finally induced. Only a couple of those days were really heavy on the contractions - some days I had none so they can go on like this for awhile but with nice breaks.

Re: how long did you have contractions before you were in active labor?

I think my main concern at this point is work. I teach dance and I'm off this week for mid-winter session. So it would be ideal for me to have the baby this week. If I don't have the baby, I will go back to work until I do. The thing is, I really don't know how I'm going to work if I feel like this. I am genuinely uncomfortable!!! I never felt like this when I was preggo with DS.

Re: how long did you have contractions before you were in active labor?

My first contraction was at 11pm. DS was born at 1:51am. So I'm no help to you! Good luck though!

Re: how long did you have contractions before you were in active labor?

maybe 12 hours before I really new that this was it......from 3am until 3pm, I went about my day business as usual, contracting every half hour or so. Once 3pm hit they were every 15 minutes or so, but there were some I was still barely feeling, by midnight, I was dying, DS was born at 4:21am, but I was fully dilated and pushing by 2:00am.

Message edited 2/17/2010 11:29:39 PM.

Re: how long did you have contractions before you were in active labor?

3 days! They started on 12/25 and I went into active labor 12/28, DS made his appearance on 12/29.

ETA: Technically I had contractions for the entire month of December... not BH either. However I didnt monitor them until they started to come every 10 mins which happened on 12/25.

Message edited 2/17/2010 11:49:19 PM.

Re: how long did you have contractions before you were in active labor?

You probably won't like my answer, but I contracted like that for many weeks. I swore the baby was never going to come out. One afternoon, the contractions became painful and the next thing I knew my water broke

Re: how long did you have contractions before you were in active labor?

Re: how long did you have contractions before you were in active labor?

#2 3 hrs before active labor

#3 2 hrs