how long should REAL contractions last? I plan to leave for the hospital in about 30 minutes..I wanted to time them for at LEAST an hour before i rushed off to the hosp. to have them tell me its false labor..I need something to do while timing them!!! But they have been coming pretty strong now (i couldnt lay in bed anymore my butt and back and hips hurt so bad!!!) they are coming at 7 mins,then3,4,7,4,7..this pattern..so one after the other will be very close,then about 7 minutes,then close again..I am due the 23rd of september by the way..I do plan to go to the hosp soon I was just curious on how long they should last because they are lasting 3 to 4 minutes except for the real close ones about one minute..is everyone different or should they last the same for everyone? it seems too long-but of course i am new to this! Thanks-I would really appreciate the advice!!
2006-09-18 02:50:02 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
what i mean is how long should one contraction last..not how far apart should one be from another..sorry for the confusion
2006-09-18 03:00:33 · update #1
AND RUDE ASS PEOPLE DONT LEAVE YOUR STUPID COMMENTS i know what i am doing-k?? i just wanted to know the answer to a simple question-damn!
2006-09-18 03:04:14 · update #2
Sounds like the real deal to me.
My doctor told me "If you can't walk or talk through the contractions, come to the hospital. Or if your water breaks then come to the hospital."
I had been timing my contractions and they were similar to yours except not 3 or 4 minutes apart, the closest they got was 5 minutes apart. Then that evening my water leaked. It didn't break but she wanted me to come in anyway. I was only 2 cm dilated and ended up wishing I had stayed home a little longer. They ended up giving me inducing the labor to speed it up toward the end. Labor was seventeen hours.
Congratulations and Good Luck
2006-09-18 02:52:36 · answer #1 · answered by MoMattTexas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally if your water hasnt broken theres no need to rush, unless your family history is one of quick delivering women (such as mine where not even the first child is born after they reach the hosptial).
They say 5 minutes is the magical number. I wouldnt lay in bed either, it makes them less effective and more intense. Walk around if you can, unless the doctor has you on bed rest.
Generally you'll know that its time. You can call before going into the hospital and tell them how far apart the contractions are. but you should still get checked to see what your cervix is doing.
Kudos for not being in a rushed panic. You'll have a better delivery for it.
2006-09-18 09:59:04 · answer #2 · answered by amosunknown 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By the time you're having regular, painful uterine contractions lasting 30 to 45secs long, occurring about thrice every 10 mins, (i.e about every 3 mins), then labour is said to be established.
If your bag of waters ruptures then you should get to the hospital ASAP. Other signs of labour include when you see the 'show' (mucus mixed with blood from the cervix).
As this is your first time, it is best to get to the hospital as soon as you feel that labour is starting, so that progress is well monitored.
Yes, everyone is different, and the progress in labour too is a unique experience.
All the best!!
2006-09-18 10:11:54 · answer #3 · answered by listen_up 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they are under 5 minutes apart (start of one to the start of the next) and last for a minute or more I would jet to the hospital asap. Sounds like you're really uncomfortable and this sounds like the real deal. Go before you have the urge to start pushing ! Walk around as much as you can to help with the pressure since you can't lay down, if the hospital has a jet bath or shower, take one of those. Good Luck and Congratulations...you're going to be a mom in no-time !
2006-09-18 10:00:08 · answer #4 · answered by Liandrew00 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a labor and delivery nurse. We advise first time mom's to come to the hospital when their contractions get 3-5 minutes apart for an hour. Contractions last between 45 -90 seconds. I would leave for hospital now if they are so painful you can't stand the pain. Every one is different and sometimes contractions never get regular. Definitely leave for hospital immediately if your water has broken or you are having vaginal bleeding. Good luck
2006-09-18 09:58:49 · answer #5 · answered by Gloria J 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They can last seconds to minutes. Don't be in to big of a hurry because labor usually last hours and hours especially the first part of it. If your water breaks or you loose your mucus plug then get into a hurry. Otherwise contractions also should be consistent. For example every five minutes, not different times. You are probably having false labor.
2006-09-18 09:55:00 · answer #6 · answered by sceptileptic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contractions usually start off kind of far apart and get closer together the longer you're in labor. You will know when youre in labor cause it hurts like hell. My labor lasted 4 days. Hint: don't move while youre contracting. At all. Also, walk. It will speed things up a bit.
2006-09-18 09:54:13 · answer #7 · answered by Mujer Bonita 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wait...your having contractions now and your still messing around on Yahoo Answers? Now that is dedication to the website! If it were me (or my wife) we'd be getting ready to go to the hospital...I think she ate a bunch of food when they started because she knew they wouldn't feed her until it was over...
2006-09-18 10:00:26 · answer #8 · answered by DAVER 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every birth is different. Go to the hospital now. You want them to have time to get you registered and ready.
2006-09-18 09:58:36 · answer #9 · answered by Oblivia 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd get right in there. If it is false labor there's nothing to be embarassed about. The ob nurses know what to do. Good luck!!
2006-09-18 10:00:18 · answer #10 · answered by ms pokeylope 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋