I went into the hospital with both of my pregnancies with what might have been premature labor. I was around 30 weeks both times.

I actually had excessive Braxton Hicks contractions (like 8 or more an hour) with my first son, and they ended up putting me on meds to slow them down...and I ended up having him at 38 weeks. Healthy baby boy.

My second I had tons of Braxtons too, and I actually went in at around 30 weeks too, thinking my water broke early, but it didn't....baby kicked my bladder ( sorry for too much info)...and I ended up having him at 36 weeks. Healthy baby too...he was small though ( 4 lbs. 9 ounces), so stayed in the NICU for a week only...but only b/c he was so tiny, he had to regulate his body temp. on his own (w/o heat lights) and that took a week for him.

I do have a friend who went into early labor and was put on bedrest at 30 weeks too...she stayed at home and was on bed rest...could only be on her feet for very short periods of time and she ended up going into early labor at 34 weeks. The baby was born at around 5 + pounds and didn't even have to stay at the hospital, b/c she was fine....healthy and all, being 6 weeks early! She is happy and healthy 1 1/2 year old now and you would never know she was a preemie...

So yeah, it is more common than you'd think. I know you have probably heard this before, but drink plenty of water...dehydration can bring on contractions.

How far along are you?