What do contractions feel like?

[kelflewelling]

I'm 36 weeks pregnant and I've had a kid before she'll be 5 in January but they induced her so I never felt contractions. Well I think I'm having them but I'm not sure. The pain I get comes about every 10 to 12 mins and it starts out like a cramp you get when you start your period but then takes over the whole stomach and makes me feel nausea and then goes away... I don't want to go in and it be nothing because I've been at the hospital 2 times this week already with my blood pressure.  So i don't want them to think I'm over reacting to everything and look at me like I'm stupid. Any opinions would be grratful.

[Kecole1981]

Time them til they get about 5 mins apart.... that sounds like active labor.... i would call mid-wife/ob and tell them your 10/12 mins apart and you plan on coming in if they get to 5

[kelflewelling]

So do I need to time them? And see how often they come?

[gerthwomen]

Sounds a lot like a contraction wait til they get closer then call and see what they say