When do you start timing contractions?

I've been feeling something... I'm not sure if they are contractions or not - but I'm guessing they aren't since they aren't THAT painful. Everyone keeps saying that I'll know when they are real contractions - right?

So at what point do you start timing??

Re: When do you start timing contractions?

I'd start now to see if they are following a consistent pattern.

Re: When do you start timing contractions?

Re: When do you start timing contractions?

Re: When do you start timing contractions?

Ha Ha- I 've been looking at the clock anytime I've felt a twinge the past 2 weeks. I have been getting cramps and they are just like regular period cramps with no beg/end and I'll have them for an hour and then poof they're gone. So I guess you start timing them when you notice they are consistent?

Re: When do you start timing contractions?

Re: When do you start timing contractions?

Not everyone finds contractions painful, and just a word of advice from someone who is going for a natural childbirth, try to go into each one thinking they are waves of pressure and not pain.

As for timing, my mom never had regular contractions that you could time, that is why she thought she was in false labor. So I would maybe go on line and start timing the contractions. If you have more then 10 in an hour, you could call your OB and see what he thinks. I am not sure if you are laboring at home or at the hospital.

Re: When do you start timing contractions?

Posted by katiebug

Not everyone finds contractions painful, and just a word of advice from someone who is going for a natural childbirth, try to go into each one thinking they are waves of pressure and not pain.

As for timing, my mom never had regular contractions that you could time, that is why she thought she was in false labor. So I would maybe go on line and start timing the contractions. If you have more then 10 in an hour, you could call your OB and see what he thinks. I am not sure if you are laboring at home or at the hospital.

Re: When do you start timing contractions?

Re: When do you start timing contractions?

I have also heard when you are having contractions you KNOW. I think you need to have a clear beginning and end in order to track them correctly. Here is a website you can use to track them once they begin
Contractions

Re: When do you start timing contractions?

I was told once they start coming consistently. How exciting

Re: When do you start timing contractions?

Re: When do you start timing contractions?

from my experience hayley you def Know...when they are contractions. I always thought they'd be high up on my belly but the were very low like period cramps. Nothing like braxton hicks contractions though!!

Re: When do you start timing contractions?

Since I am overexcited, I think you should have started timing them this morning!!!!

Re: When do you start timing contractions?

This is how my labor started. ((I read your other post about start of "bloody show")). Basically I didn't have painful contractions until I was about 7 cm, and I was already at the hospital for 4 hours.

Sometimes you just can't time them. I knew I was in labor because drinking water, and walking around didn't make these weird feelings in my stomach go away.

Hope this is it for you!!

Re: When do you start timing contractions?

here's the best way to tell if its a contraction or not. when you have the pain, move. if the pain continues its most likely a contraction. technically you are supposed to time them from the beginning of one to the beginning of the next one. if you have that 5 mins apart for an hour (12 total) you should call your doc and/or go to the hospital.

but trust your gut. if you are having whatever it is for an hour w.o. letting up, don't wait. at worst you are sent home!

Re: When do you start timing contractions?

I agree with that - you'll know when to start timing them. I started timing them when the actual contraction was so painful I couldn't function through it

Re: When do you start timing contractions?

My contractions were never painful. They started off being 5 minutes apart and felt like mild menstrual cramps. I initially didnt think they were real contractions except for the fact that they were so regular.