when do you start counting it as labor?

when I went into labor with my son I didn't start counting down how many hours until after my waterbroke...I was having contractions starting at like 6pm and then at Midnight my waterbroke and thats when the pain really hit...beforehand it was just uncomfortable aches every 3-4 minutes..so when people ask I tell them "I was in labor for 10 hours" but wouldn't I also count the contractions I was having before hand??..

what did you consider to be labor?

I think you count right. I would only count from when you were 3cm or more ( if you knew)

I hear people say I was in labour for a week. I was 1cm when I got checked on Monday and it was next Sunday that he was born....

I counted from the time i started timing contractions. Midnight:30 on May 21st. Had him 8:22 am May 22nd.