How can I measure contactions? My tummy is almost always firm

[mrsclt]

Just a question about timing contractions - I have a very firm tummy already. In fact the doc and midwife could never really tell how bub was laying because of it. So how am I supposed to try and time contractions when there's not much difference in how my belly feels? 39+2 weeks now, lots of discharge and what I believe was bits of the plug (but no blood at all), random nausea, tummy is sore along the top, lower back starting to hurt, all things making me wonder if this is latent labor. Only I am struggling with timing the contractions (prob BH but it seems to be a lot of BH all through the day). My GP hasn't done any pelvic exams so I don't know if I've dilated/effaced at all. Wouldn't be too fussed, except hubby works over an hour away and wants to know if he should start his leave now, because he had workmates tell him he may not make it in time because of the distance if its a quick labor, and he wants to be here when I need to go to hospital because I have no one else to take me. Sorry for the essay, this is our first and we are both getting over excited thinking "is this the start of it?"

 

[MindUtopia]

My tummy never really went firm during a contraction, you just feel it. If you don't know if you're having one, I would reason to guess you aren't having one! You'll know. It's obvious. The early ones may feel like mild to strong period cramps and once they get to be real contractions, assuming you aren't having an epidural, you'll know! If it's not yet obvious, there's no need to time them.

 

[Betheney]

A contraction isn't just a tight tummy, it's also painful.

The pain with my first labour was ALL in my lower abfomen, i guess where my cervix is, but the pain there during contractions was HORRIBLE. During my second labour the pain was all over from the top of my bump down to my vag.