Can very early contractions last 3 minutes??

arcook0307 · December 2011

My entire lower pelvic area gets tight (but doesn't hurt) and when I timed one it lasted at least 3 minutes. Is this a contraction or something else? Had my membranes stripped today btw.....and these are not regular. I've had this several times since the membranes were stripped. Thx!

julybride_07 · December 2011

If you are having contractions that are lasting longer than 90 sec, you need to call your OBGYN ASAP. It is NOT SAFE to have a contraction that lasts longer than 90 secs.

arcook0307 · December 2011

Well then I wonder if they are contractions?? My whole lower tummy (pelvic area) tightens.

julybride_07 · December 2011

Are they painful? When you say tightens, is it as hard as your chin feels if you were to push on it, or is it as hard as when you push on your forehead?

My OB professor told us that mild contractions are about as hard as your chin feels when you push on it, and strong contractions are about as hard as your forehead when you push on it.

arcook0307 · December 2011

IDK...but I'll use that the next time I have one! That's a great rule of thumb. They don't ALL last that long but I was trying to get a feel for what is and isn't a contraction. Thanks for checking back in.