Question about counting contractions?

megwv3

I'm 28 weeks pregnant. I was in L&D for a completely different reason but when I was there, they hooked me up to the monitor and I was having contractions that I didn't really know were contractions. I always had cramping but it had combined with a backache, so now I can tell when it's a contraction versus a cramp. My cervix was 2.1cm. My fFn was negative. They emphasized I watch how many I have and if I have 6+ in an hour, to come in to L&D. However, I can't count them. Sometimes I'll have the backache/cramp feeling for an hour and then I feel fine. It just comes and goes throughout the day. These aren't painful just kind of uncomfortable. I called the OB nurse and she said that I need to count. Any suggestions?

suitern

I would say that you watch for a tightening feeling (I get kind of tingly and my breath goes away before my entire uterus tightens) and if the cramps are coming in waves. I have painless contractions all day long (way more than 6 per hour), but that just seems to be my nomral unfortunately. I struggle with knowing when to call as well. I think that if you feel like something is different than your baseline/normal for the day, then yous should call and ask if you need to go be monitored.

Wally3

I found that if I put my hands on my stomach it made them easier to count.  Like it was easier to feel from the outside.  Also, there are apps on your phone that will count for you and measure time and keep track.  It made it easier for me.  I had pretty regular contractions from 32 - 39 weeks.