So with my first my water broke and I never really had real labor contractions until they gave me pitocin but I shortly had my epidural so I don't know what to feel for really.

I am having mild contractions, just like menstrual cramps though they don't really hurt like I remember my full blown contractions feeling.

I'm trying to time them, do I stop the clock just when the pain stops or when my stomach is no longer hard. the pain stops about 10-15 seconds before my stomach let's up.

is it necessary to time them if they aren't very painful? they are about 3 minutes apart from what I can gather. if I'm doing things right.