Has anyone gone into labor with contractions 20 minutes apart? Or is it always only when they are 5 min apart?

Question

I have been having very strong contractions every 20 minutes; i feel them in my lower back and a lot of pressure in my pelvic.
I am 40 wks and 4 days;

Answer 1

yes, contractions don't start at 5 minutes, but your body works up to that time frame, They just don't want you at the hospital until your contractions are 5 minutes apart. 20 minutes apart is a very good starting place.

Answer 2

Mine were 20 minutes apart and not painful for at least 6 hours, then i went to sleep for the night. The next day they were 5 minutes apart and didn't start to hurt for at least a good 6 or 7 hours so i didn't even think of going to the hospital for another hour or so. I would say that if it doesn't seem like false labor, and they are not going away, you are probably starting labor, you're just not that close yet. Give it more time. I didn't even think i was in labor, waited a few more hours and then went to the hospital, it just progressed soooo slowly. Hope everything goes well for you. Just don't wait too long to go to the hospital you want to make it there before baby is born!!!

Answer 3

With my first I was 40 weeks and 5 days and they started out every 20 minutes and lasted for about an hour. Then they jumped to 10 minutes apart. They didn't start coming every 5 minutes until around 5pm that evening. Contractions started around 1pm on Saturday and she was born at 1:20am Sunday morning (12 hours total). Considering you are past your due date I'd say you are in early labor. Good luck :)

Answer 4

Dont always rely on what others say about it has to be 5 minutes apart or whatever. With my 3rd baby I was having contractions at all different times. I would time them and have one in 15 minutes, and then 6 min, then 10, then 20, and so on...I had the baby 3 hours later...

Answer 5

Honestly, i didnt read all of it. I had a 35 hour labour with no drugs, couldnt eat or sleep though it as i was getting contractions no further than 20 minutes apart from the very start of it, so yeah, that was fun. I tried to eat, but it all came back up. In Australia, the bubs stay with mum as well, which i think is good really, i couldnt handle leaving my baby in some room where i couldnt keep an eye on them. My boy didnt sleep very well in hospital either, because i also couldnt breasfeed (i know, what a horrible neglectful mother i am!!, Someone, call child services!!) He had my colustrum, but was crying pretty much all day/night in hospital. Put him on formula when he was about 4 days old, and he slept like a, well, baby, because i wasnt starving him. If anyone accuses you of 'starving' your baby with formula, tell them the grow the f!ck up. I mean, really.

Answer 6

Every woman is different. My first baby, labor pains started at around 65-70 min. apart. He was two months early and perfectly healthy, 4lbs. 2oz. My second one, contractions started at 30 min. apart. Then stopped after five hours, then started again 4 days later at 10 min apart. When contractions start, labor begins, it is when they are 5 min. apart that it is when you should be at the hospital ready to enjoy the birth of your baby.

Answer 7

My daughter suffered through labor like that for about 1 week. They say not to be concerned until they get to be about 5 - 7 minutes apart.

Answer 8

you can have contractions 20 min.apart, but i think it just means you have a while still to go. i was told not to go to the hospital until my contrations were 5 minutes apart. but i do know they were consistent at 15 min.

Answer 9

i dont think its possible to go into labor having them 20 minutes apart. they should be 5 to 7 minutes apart and you should have them for at least an hour.