When did you go to the hospital in labour?

[Heaven]

What made you decide it was time to go?

Last time I went too early and I think this is the main reason that things didn't go to plan. I wish I had stayed home longer. Even though I knew it was best to stay home as long as possible I went too early. I wasn't sure what to do. Contractions were 2-3 mins apart from early on and I was worried that it would get a lot worse and I wouldn't be able to cope in the car for the 30min drive to the hospital. I had heard that when the contractions are that far apart it's time to go in but it wasn't for me! They were pretty close together right from the start of labour.

So how will I know?? What would be awesome is if I could stay home until I'm pretty close and then go into the hospital and push the baby out not long after! That would be great! And give me the best chance of getting my VBAC.

But I'm a bit worried that I'll freak out and worry about rupture or something or if the baby is ok. Or I won't know how far along I am and when to go in and then go in too early or too late.

So how do I know when it's the right time?? How did you know? Help!

[~Trish~]

I wish I knew what to tell you LOL! I couldn't really gauge it with any of mine.

With DS1 contractions were about 4 mins apart when we went in, but he wasn't born until 12 hours later (I had a 37 hour labour though).

DS2 I wanted to stay home longer, but DH was freaked out when they got to 3 mins apart and threw all my bags in the car and made me get in . DS2 was born about 5 hours later (he was a 12 hour labour).

With DD I wasn't sure, I was expecting a long labour again, but when they quickly went from 5 mins to 2-3 mins apart I thought we should head in. She was born 30 mins after arriving so we cut it pretty fine haha! (She was a 4 1/2 hour labour)

I doubt that was any help at all haha!

[Mum2Romone]

I was only 4 cm when checked but the pain was sooo bad being posterior labour that I was glad I went then.....not that I got pain relief....just that the bumpy car ride... Four adults in a BMW convertible, not fun.....

[Pretty Butterfly]

I havent had a c/section, but I check myself, and go when I can feel less and less cervix.

I start to gauge from early on, and I can keep track of how fast I am dialating.. I have had Ad check too when I cant.. I usually check on all fours, with gloves, VERY gently... although I am sure I am more gentle than most Obs!!!!!

[Taurean]

I don't have VBAC experience but I'll share my story...

I'd been having regular niggles since 6am (about every 10 minutes) and my waters broke at 7.20am. My contractions really kicked in as soon as that happened (about 5 minutes apart) so we phoned the hospital about 10 minutes later. They said to eat and shower then head in but there was no need to rush. Contractions were 3 minutes apart in no time so I was glad to be on my way to the hospital.

We arrived at the hospital at 9am and I was 3cm dialated. DD was posterior so my labour was longer than anyone anticipated - I was 9cm at midday but had just had an epidural (the back pain was horrendous) so that slowed things down. She was born at 3.10pm. So I was in the labour ward for 6 hours.

I guess I just knew it was time to go as things seemed to happen really quickly. My sister, my mum and aunties had all had super quick labours so there was a good chance I'd be the same. My midwife and OB told me afterwards to prepare for a quick labour next time (Next time? Are you serious? I've just given birth! ) as they said DD being posterior was the only delay I had

[~Hestia~]

I went once I felt I couldn't cope at home anymore, my contractions were less than 2 mins apart and I couldn't talk through them. I just felt like I needed to go. This was after 10 hours of labour and once I got to hospital I was 8 cms.

Good luck with your VBAC!

[Mildez]

I went in with my first to make sure it was the real deal and was 3cm. They sent me home but told me to come back in a few hours which I did. I was still 3cm (not in established labour). 24hrs later I went back for good and was 7cm but DD wasn't born for another 10hours (its a long story)

Then with no2 I went to hospital because I was bleeding and under 37weeks but my waters broke whilst I was there so I laboured from start to finish in hospital with my 2nd. Not ideal.

This time if I dont freak out I'd like to stay at home as long as possible. I'll do my own VE's at home and hopefully I'll head of at about 7-8cm. Only time will tell.

[Laranna]

I got DH to ring the hospital when I was in the shower and it wasn't helping with the contractions at all. All the tricks I had learnt, the positions, DH massaging, and having the TENS on max level - it wasn't helping much. And I started to feel nervous. The contractions were around 3-4 minutes apart and lasting up to a minute I think. I was doing the whole primal groaning thing too. Managed to speak to a midwife on the phone and they said come in.

Took 30 minutes to get there as we had to drop DS off at SIL's on the way. When I got there, I had 3 contractions and from my groaning the midwife said I wasn't far away. She did an internal and I was 7cm already! 2 hours later DD was born and I got my VBAC

Try not to doubt yourself. I think you will know when you need to go. Have a plan of things you can do at home. I had all the positions and a list of things for DH to get me to try in case I couldn't think of them. I listed them in order of what felt best down to my least preferred. When a contraction came on and whatever I was doing wasn't helping, DH could look at the list and ask me if I wanted to try blah or blah...It helped heaps!

[MrsFabuloso]

This time I went in when I was 4-5cm. My contrax were 3-4mins apart and lasting between 45-55secs. The midwife told me that I could go in then if I really wanted to or wait until contrax were lasting 1 min and 2-3mins apart. DH was antsy so we went in then.

[Babyluv]

My CX were 2 & 3 mins apart, they'd been like this for a while but the pain really ramped up, called hospy they said stay at home because being my first I would have a long time till bub was born but I knew it was time so we went in. Got checked MW said I prob had about 10 hrs to go & bub was born 3hrs later. MW also told me I wasn't ready to push but my body was doing it & bub was born 45 mins later. Moral of the story, stay at home as long as you can & go with your instincts, when you feel you need to go then go. You'll know when that is, it's different for everyone.

[black_rose]

It's hard to know I was still clueless with Ds and he was no 3!

With dd1 I had no idea I was in the early stages of labour at 34 weeks as all I had was back pain. My waters broke at 7.30pm at home, and that's when the contractions started. I went from 2cm dilated to 8cm in the 45minutes from when I arrived until i had an ecs.

With dd2 I went into labour at 35 weeks with strong reg ctx. I got to the hospital and they put me on medication and bed rest. At 37 weeks I had strong ctx all day and at a check up that day I was 3cm dilated. Later that night prob about 7.30pm again my waters started leaking. Got to the hossy at about 9.30 by the time my SIL arrived to watch dd and I was sure it was the real deal. I had regular ctx at 2-3 minutes when I got there. My waters were broken at 10.45 when the ob arrived. He told me he would be back in the morning to check on me. I suddenly needed to push and dd2 arrived 45 minutes later. He just got home and had to come back.

With Ds he dropped at 34+5 and I had ctx start. I was in hossy for 5 days and on bed rest at home after that for 4 weeks. My ob told me to go back in when the ctx were established at 5 minutes as he wanted to make sure I didn't get caught out at home or on our way. Unfortunately he was away, I went in when the ctx got established but got sent home as they eased overnight. I had strong random ctx but there was no pattern. At 5.30pm I felt a swift kick and my waters broke. Ctx were instant and painfull. We packed the girls in the car and called mil. We got there at 5.55 she got the girls at 6.05, I was pushing at 6.15 while they were filling out the paperwork. Ds arrived at 6.30. So it was superfast, as it meant I skipped the monitoring and was much more comfortable. Was lucky to get there in time though.

So I can't help with when to go but I understand about staying at home as long as you can. I wished I had waited just a little bit longer with dd2 as I had a tear prob because of my waters being broken and my body not having time to prepare itself. Just go when you feel like it's really time, when ctx are established and it's hard to move around.

[Lisa]

For my last 2, I have gone in when I 'feel' that I need to be there, ITMS?

With DS2 I knew we had a 30 min drive to the hospital so left when I thought I should. I wasn't 100% convinced it was labour until I came to a round about where it was left turn to my sisters house or right turn to the hospital. At the time I knew it was the hospital turn to take and DS was born 2 hours later.

With DD2 we lived 3 mins from the hospital, so knew we could leave it until the last minute if need be. I laboured at home and when my waters broke I knew I either had to go to the hospital or push the baby out in the shower at home (I wish I stayed at home, but that is a long story). I felt DD more further down into my pelvis and I could barely sit down. We got to the hospital and DD was born an hour later.

[The[cookie]Doctor]

I went way too early on my g'parents request, when i went the second time it was when i couldn't bare to be at home any longer.
It was a 20 minute drive and it was hell but being at home for longer i am sure was worth it.
When i got to the hospital i was 7cm. Bub was born 4 hours later.

[~ Mylitta ~]

wouldn't be able to cope in the car for the 30min drive to the hospital

That's exactly how I decided when to go to the hospital both times. When the thought of a 35-40 minute drive to the hospital started seeming impossible, we left. Both times my contractions were about 4-5 minutes apart. With Kyson my waters had already broken and I got to the hospital 8cm dilated. With Shayla my waters were still intact and I was disappointed when told I was only 3cm dilated. During the cervix my waters were broken. My disappoinment disappeared when half an hour later Shayla was born. How I got from 3 to 10 cm in half an hour I'll never know, lol!

I guess the thing to remember is that each birth is different. Just because contractions 2-3 minutes apart last time didn't mean you were close to giving birth doesn't mean that it will take as long this time.

Good luck and I hope you have an amazing birth experience!

[*Sparklez*]

Its funny cause with 1 pregnancy i was already in hossy but 2 of them i was at my hospital appt lol so i didnt even bother leaving since my labours are really quick
but with ds2 i was at home and had no idea what was happening and funnily enough it was the day of my hospital appt (i kid you not) and my mum stayed at her friends that night the only person with my was my 12 yr old brother and i had no license nothing.. i decided to go when i couldnt bearly stand anymore (my back numbed my whole labour, I didnt even know i was in labour) i got to the hospital and my sons head was 2 cm's out and was still coming out so i had him practically 5 mintues of being there.. lucky though cause he had pooped and luckily they noticed.. if i had of birthed at home it could of went really bad..
GL hun, you will be fine dont stress.. you will get that feeling when you know this is it!!

[madamerogers]

with ds, i had ctx since early morn- 4am and had some rest and went at 2:30pm for monotiring, they said i was in labour and ds was born at 8pm.
DD i laboured so effectively that i didnt know how far i was, hit transition, freaked out, waters broke and went to hospy- a 15 min drive that dh did in 5.......
I had ctx all day from 4am at 15-20 mins but no one would have known they were that manageable, got to 6pm, bit closer, 8:30 called mw to chat, said id have baby overnight or in the morn, 10pm transition/waters broke/in the car.....5 mins to hospy, bubba out 5 mins later mg:
She was a compound presentation- hand up by her face, so took a bit of getting out, but still only 5 mins once i arrived at hosp then she was here!
Go when you feel you want to. When you need more support or can't handle it anymore. you will know
x all the best x
x madame x

[leesha]

I guess one you need to know how far you are away from the hospital and gauge it from there. I'm only 10 mins from mine and with my second I woke at 1am with some pains...slept on and off till 6am. Woke hubby and said this is it as I had some discharge but dawdled around getting someone to watch DS and had breaky and a shower...threw up in the shower so I knew it was def labour. Went into the hospital around 10.30am they did an internal and I was 9cm already. after about 40mins they broke my water and 10mins later and two pushes she was here!!
DS1 was only a 6.5hr labour so I knew my second would be quick but geez not that quick ;-) Lucky I went in cos if my water had of broken at home I would of had a quick unplanned homebirth...lucky for DH that didnt happen!!