Timing contractions - when to start? Possibly stupid question

[frakyouveryverymuch]

I think I've been having intermittent contractions/might be in early labour however I'm not sure because they're very irregular and not that painful - although still noticeable - and seem to vary between period pain type cramps and Braxton Hicks like bump tightenings.

I don't really want to start timing contractions too early because that will just make me obsess but at what point should you start monitoring contractions?

If you want to time contractions I always suggest that every hour or so your partner keeps an eye on things for 10 minutes working out how many contractions you are having in every 10 mins. It's less intrusive than second by second monitoring and is how the midwives monitor contractions (they say she's having '3 in 10' meaning 3 contractions every 10 mins).

I wouldn't bother until they form a regular pattern and you need to concentrate on them though.

In fact I secretly don't like timing contractions at all - as you say it's easy to get obsessed and if you shut all that stuff out and listen to your body you'll know when it's time to call MWs/go to hospital.

Exciting stuff! Try and rest, eat and drink and relax and ignore things until you can't not.

That is exactly what I was hoping to hear! So I can safely ignore them for now and my body will know when I need to start paying attention.

Also I'm sure if DH is home before I start being really bothered by them he'll keep a much more hawk-like eye than I will and let me know when I approach the 'ring the maternity unit' point.

Oooh I am jealous of your contractions! (40+5 today)

I had some on Saturday night & timed them just so I could be sure they were irregular and go to sleep instead!!

Your body will definately tell you when to pay attention. With DS I timed the contractions (naieve idiot I was) and they were all over the place. Then suddenly they kicked up a notch, became really persistant and all thoughts of timing them went out the window.

Oh how exciting for you Frak! Hope this is the start of your LO (finally) appearing.