Timing contractions question

[JRW93]

When ur timing contractions and they're 10mins apart 4 instance.  Do they have 2 b EXACTLY 10mins?  Or can they b 6mins and 10?  Or 10 and 12?  And still be real?  If that makes sense lol

[JRW93]

I sure hope so.  I'm ready now.  But I'll probably think the opposite once labor officially starts lol

[stacey10]

that is most probably early labour, where your body is starting to get ready for labour :)

[stacey10]

from my experience they dont like you going in to early, they usually send you home again, and that can actually disrupt contractions and slow them down, which in turn can make labour longer, your much better off labouring at home until a regular pattern sets in,  (not many labours  have contractions where they remain irregularbut for arguments sake, there will be some,)  and you can no longer talk thru them, of course if you live 2 hrs away from hospital thats another story :) and would  have to be taken into account, also just follow what your hospital tells you regarding when to ring and let them know whats going on and also when to come in :)

[JRW93]

Well I'm having contractions that r pretty much 10mins apart, but they aren't painful?

[Clysta]

Just depends on the hospital. They also might not ever get close and 'regular'. If you're contracting reguarly it is ALWAYS best to be looked at, regardless of if you might be sent home.

[stacey10]

yep usually once they're 5 min apart etc then they consider you in active labour, if your not they will just send you home again :)

[JRW93]

Ya, the hospital I'll b delivering at doesn't want me 2 come in until they're 3-4mins apart, u have 2 concentrate through them, and it's been going on for 2hrs.  Which I think is a little long, but I live less then 15mins away from it so I guess it's not all bad

[stacey10]

usually most hopsitals wont want to see you until they're into a regular patten, in australis, they dont like you to come in until they're 5 min apart, lasting 45-60 and you have to concentrate through them :)

[JRW93]

Okayy thank you 4 clearing that up ((:

[Clysta]

Yes, they would still be real. They don't all have to be the exact same space. For example when I was in labour mine I would get a contraction 1 minute apart, 30 seconds, 3 minutes, 2 minutes, etc. If they're regular and constant (especially of you're early) it might be time to soon head in.