Advice needed...should I go into to hospital?

[Fruitloop]

Hi all...I'll try to keep it brief!

I'm currently 41+2 days pregnant and started getting contractions very early this morning. It wasn't until about 5AM that I timed a few and noticed they were coming every 7 minutes. Since then, I haven't timed ALL of them, but they've varied from every 5 minutes (for about 40 mins) to every 20 mins.

I'm only getting pain in my lower back, which is bearable with a hot wheat bag. I'm coping kinda ok at home. Haven't had a 'show' or loss of mucus plug either.

Question is...haven't rung the hossy yet. Given we live around a 40 min drive from there, I'm overdue and I've been contracting since early morning (on and off) do you think it's time I go in? I will call the hospital soon regardless, I would just like to know what u would do if you were in my situation

[Trish]

Fran I would stay at home still. Your contractions should ideally be around 3 to 5 minutes apart and lasting 1 minute long when you turn up to hospital.

Of course some women's contractions don't get to lasting 1 minute. You shouldn't be able to talk at all through your contractions. While your still able to do that your doing well. Stay at home.

This is your first baby, your labour could last for quite some time yet (sorry prob not what you want to hear)

Goodluck sweety. The best thing I can tell you to do right now is to try and relax, get some rest. Your in for a busy night.

[Ngala]

Fran - i would ring the hossy given that you live so far away!! Atleast you have called them and then you can stay home for as long as they say should be ok. last thing you want is to not make it in time

Good luck! casnt wait for you bubba to finally arrive!!!

[Enchanted]

Hi Fran,
My labour started off similar to yours (we also live roughly 30-40mins away from our hospital). This went on for about 1 day with me and when I went in to be induced I was 4-5cm dilated!! So I would just call the hossy to see what they think, they might even just get you to go in for monitoring and to examine you etc.

Hope all goes well!!

*hugs*

[BellyBelly]

It's your first bubby and they often take their time so I wouldn't worry too much about being far away - if you are not sure about going in yet then the contractions aren't strong enough. You will get put in a room and probably get bored! They may even try and augment / speed up your labour. I would wait at home more and remember, its not just time between but length of contractions. Early labour you would expect 30 second contractions.

[Fruitloop]

Thanks for the advice Trish and Veronica. Yes, I'm feeling ok to stay at home and would actually prefer that than being tied to a hospital bed! *lol* Don't stress about saying that I'm in for a long night Trish...it's all good...I'm just so happy that things are on their way...no matter the pain

ETA:
Thanks also Danielle and Kelly...given my ob is very pro-low intervention, I don't think he'd be too happy about speeding up the labour at this stage...well I wouldn't allow it anyways! So far my BP and so forth have all been fine...no hics or bumps along the way...only thing I'm slightly concerned by is that I haven't felt my little girl move all that much today...only 1 or 2 movements. She's usually extremely active at night and quiet during the day so it is following the usual pattern though *shrug*

Also the length of my contractions have varied from about 40 to 55 seconds so not quite at the minute mark yet

[Trish]

No worries hun. Sounds like your in a great frame of mind then. Home is the best place for you to be right now. Where you are familiar and comfortable. If you head in to hosp too soon your labour might even stall and you sure don't want that.

TBH, if it were me, I wouldn't bother calling them just yet. On the off chance that they tell you to come in, you don't want to feel like the "naughty" girl disobeying them Stay home until you can't handle it any longer, and then some...

I would give them a call 10 mintues before you walk out the door.


Of course, thats just me. You have to do what your comfortable with.

[Fruitloop]

*lol* Trish! Sounds like a good plan! *heehee* Well I've already had 2 instances of where labour has stalled at home...so can't imagine it being any better at the hospital!

[Karina]

Hi Fran, if I was in your situation I would definately stay at home till contractions were a bit closer together and more painful. I also started off with 7 minutely contractions and when I called the hospital they just told me to stay at home till my contractions were 3 minutes apart or until my waters broke! So I stayed until my waters broke then I called them again and they told me I hd to come in I felt so much more comfortable at home with all my own stuff around me.

[BellyBelly]

Sometimes bubbies slow down before labour, Elijah was quiet 24-36 hours before he was born. If you get concerned have an icy cold drink and he'll move and of course call if you are concerned too.

[DoulaRelle]

Fran, Angus slowed his movements right down in the 24-48 hours before I had him as well, so much so that I actually went in to get him monitored as I did not have one single symptom of labour ( ie no contractions, no show or anything) You know you are on your way hun with those contractions, so I can only second what most of the girls have said and stay home as long as you feel comfortable and rest if you can as well.

Goodluck hun!!!

[ttcno2]

just wanted to say good luck!!
it sounds like it wont be too far away that you go to hospital anyway, so may as well make the most of a few last hours at home.
mind you, i know its a bit nerve wracking, especially with first baby. Go in when you start to feel nervous...there is no point getting all stressed out if you feel you would be more relaxed in hospital. I only say that because I know I feel nervous being at home as i am TERRIFIED of having my baby in the car (my first labour was 3 hours and my mums second and third labours were one hour)...
but thats just me. sounds like you know what you are doing, good for you.
GOOD LUCK!!!

[PinkPalace]

i would call the hospital.
i was having 5-10 minutely irregular contractionsand pain was bearable, went to the hospital was 4cm.
When the contractions were 3 in 10 minutes and dd was born 30 minutes later almost in the ambulance.
Next time i wont ignore the contractions until they r 3 minutely!!

[BellyBelly]

If contractions are from 5-20 minutes apart, labour has not yet established, this is typical pre-labour stuff. They could send her home or tell her not to come in.

[Fruitloop]

Well I wouldn't have told anyone (and still haven't yet) but mum was supposed to come over today to keep me company, so she's the only one to know and will stay that way til we're genuinely on our way to hospital in active labour.

Thanks a lot for that article Kelly...it definitely puts my mind at ease that my body is doing the right things...it's just taking its time in doing so!

Christy, my body and heart are telling me to stay home so thankfully that is where I find myself.

Now, just have to make sure I eat and drink properly...I haven't eaten much all day

[Fruitloop]

Ok update! I've just had some fresh bleeding...I guess what you would consider a 'show' but no CM...still comfy at home, although the contractions are getting more painful

[BellyBelly]

From the article 'Could I Be in Early Labour?'

2. Contractions

Regular contractions are a good indicator that you are in labour. Early labour contractions usually feel like period pain or you may experience a lower backache at around 20 to 30 minute intervals. Sometimes these pains may radiate from back to front, or vice versa. There is no need to start timing the contractions straight away – if they are mild contractions, ignore them. If you feel there has been progress with early contractions (e.g. getting stronger, longer and closer together), time 5 contractions and see how they are panning out, then time another 5 when you feel there has been further progress.

To time your contractions count how many seconds there are between the start and the end of the contraction. You can also time how long it is between contractions by counting how many minutes there are between the start of one contraction and the start of the next contraction.

Approximately 3-5 minutes apart and roughly a minute long are a good sign that you are in labour. Labour contractions can start off coming at irregular intervals, but usually become more regular – this is why ignoring early contractions is helpful, as it avoids unnecessary disappointment and anxiety when the contractions aren’t progressing as you hoped. If you are in labour, the contractions will become stronger and last longer.

This is the main indicator of labour contractions – time between the contractions is also good, however some women will have contractions that last anywhere between 5-10 minutes apart until the birth. So its the stronger, longer opening contractions you want!

It is possible to experience contractions without your cervix dilating.

You may still be in pre-labour and not established labour if:

* Your contractions are irregular
* The contractions aren’t getting increasingly stronger
* A change in position, massage, walking, eating or drinking relieves or stops the contractions
* The contractions are short or may last several minutes

Labour contractions will:

* Not stop or slow down, regardless of frequency and your activity
* Be in a fairly predictable pattern (e.g. every eight minutes)
* Become increasingly closer together
* Last longer
* Become stronger (walking usually makes them stronger)
* Build up, have a peak, then reduce

Also its worth reading THIS article on early labour tips for coping at home.

[christy]

I think this is the time when instincts can help, how do you feel? It doesn't sound as if you are jumping at the bit, just a bit anxious as anyone would be. I had a hot shower & did things that had stalled labour in the past before I was sure that it was time. I also waited until I had to concentrate on my breathing & relaxing before I even started timing them.

Yes some labours progress quicker than others, but I guess this is when you need to start listening to your heart & what your body is telling you.