How long are Braxton Hick contractions to last?

[mom22boysexpectinggirl]

I have been having this really sharp pain right across the middle of my stomach for about the last 30 mins none stop. Sometimes it hurts worse and sometimes I can barely notice it. It started right after I went to lay down with my son and it hurt so bad I had to get up and they haven't stopped yet.
I went to the doctor today and apparently the other one was one my doctor did a check and I am not dilated yet but baby is head down and engaged. I am 31 weeks 5 days.
This is my third and I never had BH with my boys.
This pain really feels like a real contraction.
Can you also start labor from being checked and on teh way home my husband was in a rush and drove really fast and it was really bumpy.
I have been also stressed all day and me and my husband have been argueing for about 5 hrs straight.
Thank you for any input.

[tarrah87]

glad it went well keep us posted

[growingeveryday]

I don't think they are contractions. They have breaks and early on are irregular untill you hit active even then the stop then start.This also isn't BH. BH tend to be uncomfortable and tight not painful. So it is probably muscles straining. You need to hydrate your self have a warm bath go for a walk and try to make them ease before panicking about pre term labor. If you feel like nothing is working then pop into hospital.

[mom22boysexpectinggirl]

Just got back from the hospital and the pains were really intense BH so I have good chances of going into labour early as they said they aren't usually that painful until about 1mth before labour begins. I was also checked and still no dilation.

[tarrah87]

please keep us updated and i hope all goes well with you and baby

[mom22boysexpectinggirl]

I just called the hospital and they told me to come in and get checked.

[mom22boysexpectinggirl]

They have been going on for 2 hrs now.

[KTowne]

Oh yeah I would, too! Keep us updated, I hope all goes well!

[mom22boysexpectinggirl]

Thank you, I think I am going to go in because now I am starting to feel nausea too.

[KTowne]

It sounds like real contractions to me, I would give it another hour and then go in, a lot can change in your cervix in 3 hours, and you don't want your baby to come this early. Good luck!!

[mom22boysexpectinggirl]

They don't seem to be easing off so if they don't stop in the next 3 hrs then I am going to go to the L&D and see what is going on, I have never had pains like this last so long and be so frequent. They are also quite painful.

[KTowne]

Many women feel these random contractions — called Braxton Hicks contractions — in the second half of pregnancy. Often lasting about 30 seconds, they're irregular, and at this point, they should be infrequent and painless. Frequent contractions, on the other hand — even those that don't hurt — may be a sign of preterm labor. Call your practitioner immediately if you have more than four contractions in an hour or any other signs of preterm labor:

[KTowne]

If they're timeable and that close together, I would get it checked out!

[mom22boysexpectinggirl]

The pains avrg. about 2-6 mins apart and last an avrg. of 30secs-2mins