dumb question about contractions

paoff11

I've been having what I think are contractions for the past couple of days now.  My question is how intense do they need to be before I start keeping track of them?  I would describe what I'm having as mild period cramps, certainly nothing that I can't walk/talk through, but rather annoying.  Are those really contractions or are they just BH or mild annoyances that we pregnant people go through.  (I think part of me just wishes they were real contractions because I'm so close now.)  Thanks for any advice you have.

Jaylea

They don't have to be strong, they just have to be regular. So you can start timing them at any point to see if there's a pattern.

Jada_5479

They probably are contractions. I had them on and off from 37-41 weeks when I was pregnant w/ DD. Personally, I would only time them if they were really painful.

krwys10

I was told that if you can sit down or lay down and they go away or lessen then not to consier them labor enducing contractions, and more of Braxton hicks.  That being said every doctor is different and so is everyone's threshold of pain.  IMO, if you are consistantly having 6 + every hour (w/out skipping hours) then you should go to L&D.

Good Luck!