How long did your first contractions last?

[Tonithetiger]

So my due date is tomorrow. I've had Braxton Hicks the last two evenings that were sort of regular with one every 15min ish lasting about 40seconds for about 3 or 4 hours but they weren't painful at all, just a tightening at the bottom/front of my belly. Also had some odd period pain type dull aches and back aches for a couple of days.
This morning I've been woken up by a definite period pain feeling at about 5am. I was sick and had the runs during the night. The period type cramps are coming about every 12min lasting for about 40seconds. Enough that I can't sleep or get comfy and want to take some paracetamol but not agonising. Not lost my plug or waters yet.
Does this sound like anything or just more Braxton Hicks?
My husband works over an hour away so I'm just trying to judge if and when I need to get him to leave and come home!
Thanks

Sounds like you're contracting to me. Mine were about 40-50 seconds every 10 minutes from the start until my waters broke 11 hours later. I was in denial at the time but I was 40+1 so knew it was likely labour! Same for you, 39+9, likely labour.

If this is your first then labour is usually quite long (sorry!) so what time is he due to finish?

Yeah it's my first so I'm kind of in denial! They are about 8min apart now and much stronger but still bearable. Hub has about half hours work left to do then he's going to head home so should be back about 4-430 latest. I'm coping ok just don't want it to suddenly ramp up and him not be here! Hospital have said I have to have an early epidural due to heart issue so thats playing on my mind. On the one had I want to get there to not miss that window, but also don't want to get there to be told I'm only 2cm or something silly!

2cm isn't something silly! It's 1/5th of the way there!
I'd try and keep active for the next 2 hours until hubby is home. Bounce on a ball and look up 3 sisters of balance for good pelvis opening positions to keep yourself occupied and get baby in a really good position. Good luck!

Thank you! Just having a bath and then I'll do that 🙂

@Tonithetiger I was 2cm when I got to hospital and they told me to leave. I refused and knew I wanted to be there. 3 hours later I was 7cm. You know your body best!

I spoke to the hospital and they were really nice and said I seem to be coping ok at the moment and to come in when they are about 3/4 every 10min. Hub is on his way home but stuck on the M25! Sods law!
I feel alright at the moment and don't feel like I need to be in the hospital any time in the very near future so will just keep bouncing on my ball and staying calm. Still sort of doesn't feel like it's finally happening! Can't quite believe it!

Mine started as you describe on a Sunday, were about every 6 minutes on Monday, then by Tuesday they were every 3 or 4 minutes. They never got closer together than that even though I ended up on an induction drip as stalled at 5 cm. (Was 5 cm on arrival to hospital, they tried to tell me not to come in as contractions too far apart - but I went anyway as wanted pain relief - just as well as turned out I had pre eclampsia). Baby was born 4 pm on the Wednesday, after 12 hours of drip.
So can take days - although other people I know have had 12 hour labours from start to finish.
Good luck hope all goes well!

@Tonithetiger good luck! You can do this 💪. I bet by this time tomorrow you'll have your baby!