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My midwife said to call when they were 2-3 minutes apart. She said she would rather be prepared. She didn't care if it was a false alarm. She just needed time to get there!
Do not wait for your membranes to rupture. Mine didn't until about 5 minutes before I started pushing. My Dr's rule was closer than five minutes apart consistantly for two hours. The rule I set for myself was that they had to be strong enough that I couldn't sleep through them or carry on with my normal activities for two hours.
Mine told me to call when they were 4-5 minutes apart for an hour. I did, went to the hospital, and got sent home :( They told me I would know when to come back, and an when I got home they got much worse so an hour later we came back... and still didn't dilate. So no, I didn't know when to come back.
But I think it's ok to call if you have questions or don't know. I'm sure they get it all the time, and better to be safe then sorry.
I started labor at 1:30 am. My contractions were sporatic, and about 10 minutes apart. I couldn't sleep though because when they hit, they hit hard. So by 6 am they were about 7 minutes apart, but quite intense. It was around 10:30 that we made the call, and the contractions were 5 minutes apart. I headed to the hospital then, because they were intense. I was 5cm dialted, so it was good we went when we did. Also, it was good because while the contractions were about 4 min apart, the ride to the hospital (20 min drive) was TERRIBLE. If we waited any longer, the ride would have been worse.
4-5 minutes apart for an hour. You wouldn't be able to fall back asleep. Trust me.
@Miss Sapphire: that's kind of what I figured and why I didn't call. I'm just worried.
@firsttimemom: I called my doctor as soon as I got to the hospital, my contractions were only 1 minute apart when I got dressed to go to the hospital but my doctor didn't show up for another 2 hours (when I was dilated to 8 cm)
ps. I'm so excited for you!!! I hope you share the birth story once you recover and feel up to it :)
@firsttimemom: My FSIL's labors are a lot like this especially with her most recent. She would wake up to contractions and they'd go for a few hours getting closer and closer until they stopped and this happened 2 times and then she woke up again one night and gave birth within an hour and a half!
@firsttimemom: lol, I called them like ten times, but they always asked the intervals between the contractions, to make sure that it was still "ok" to be at home, and not rush of to the hospital. The last evening I was home, I had to basically tell her straight out that I was in alot of pain and it was unbearable. Low and behold, I was open 8 cm when I got in! So I got my acupuncture and massage straight away, like I requested.
They were very friendly though we called alot the two days before, I think they are used to it.It's better to be safe then sorry I guess. :)
I'm running about 20 minutes apart right now. If they get closer together I am calling. My midwives have a 4-6 times per hour rule. I could be like this for days so I am not calling just yet. Keep tracking them and when they becme regular then call.
@Storm0075: Yeah, I'm still having them but there's no real consistency to them anymore like there was last night.
@Heatherloveskenny: That would be mean to leave you ladies hanging! Of course I'll come abck and share my story :)
@MrsWeddingbliss: Dag! You got most of the real work done at home, good for you!
I didn't have that dilema. My water broke at home...absolutely gushed, none of this slow drip they tell you about. I went to the hospital about an hour later (after hubby and I both showered, not knowing when I was going to be able to shower again). My contractions didn't really start until I had been at the hospital for 2 hours, but they came on fast and furious. In fact, I rarely had more than a minute or two in between contractions...and my contractions lasted as long as 13 minutes at times (yup...one on top of another, on top of another, on top of another...what fun). And then I got an epidural...oh how I loved thee!!!
@NewbyMom2Be: you poor thing :( Glad you were able to find some relief!
My water broke, so I went to the hospital. It was a gush, dripping on the carpet til I got to the bathroom! LOL
I got sent home twice the weekend before I gave birth, AND the day before-the nurse at my NST told me to get upstairs right away ( I was a week late) and the L&D nurse was like "why are you here?" I wanted to CRY. Actually, I did.
I've only called or gone in when they were consistent/painful, 2-3 minutes apart and lasted for more than 5 hours. I'm hesitant to call after being sent home twice ;)
We lived about 20 minutes from the hospital, and my doctor said to call when they are 4-5 min apart!
Before I had Addie, I was worried I wouldn't know what "real" labor was like, since I had false labor a few times in the last couple weeks before her birth. My doctor said to come to hospital when the contractions were 5 minutes apart for one hour and so hard I couldn't talk through them. I actually ended up going in when my water broke.
My doctor wants me to call when my contractions are five minutes apart, lasting one minute, for one hour.
I had contractions without dialating alot with my pregnacy so I just waited until I couldnt walk/talk threw the contractions anymore and they were consistant...
Sounds like you're close!
I was really confused to bc some of my contractions would only be a few minutes apart and then when I'd think it was time to go in I wouldnt have another one for a half hour or so. The day I started I had a nonstress test already scheduled and the bigger contractions were ~8-10 min apart durung the test. So since I was already fully effaced and starting to dilate she said to come in when they become regularly 5 min apart for 30-40 minutes in a row or water breaks. I went when my water broke. I live like 5 min from the hospital so I may have gone in sooner if i lived farther.
Best wishes, you will do wonders.
@troubled: Thanks! That means a lot coming from you :) Since the last time they did an internal exam (2 weeks ago) I was 60-70% effaced and 1 cm dilated I'm hoping these contractions are doing some work!
@firsttimemom: Aw thanks. Are you still having lots of contractions? I hope theyre making progress too. Right after baby was born and people would ask how long my labor was Id joke that with all the BH and other contractions that it lasted about a month.
@troubled: Yes! For the past 2 days I've had them, but they're not anything consistent.
These are the instructions we give callers, but you should follow the directions of your doctor.
After 37 weeks of pregnancy, call your health professional immediately or go the hospital if you have:
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DH and I are very patiently waiting on our little one to arrive. Last night at about 1:15AM I started getting hit with some contractions. I timed them for fun and they were within the 3-5 minute range - so I didn't think it was really labor. I was able to fall asleep and at 4:45AM they were so bad they woke me up. At this point they were about 2-3 minutes apart. I tried to use the restroom and contemplated calling my midwife / doula but since my membranes had not yet ruptured I figured I'd wait. I was able to fall back asleep and now they're gone completely but it makes me wonder - if contractions THAT close together weren't "real labor"... how on earth am I supposed to know when it's really time and put in the call?
I know this was long, I just don't want to be one of those women who calls them and has 10 false alarms before the real thing. Thanks