When do you go?

neludelu

I know the signs of labor. But when do you go to the hospital? I just read an article that said the woman knew she was in labor and she went hiking, to a car show out to eat then home to pack before she went. I don't do all of those things in a month!

irohspupil

Ask your doctor when they think you should head in. Mine told me to wait until my contractions were 3-4 minutes apart.

gotdiesel2007

My hospital recommends for ftm contractions every 5 min that last a minute for an hour. For everyone else contractions every 10 min for an hour.

irohspupil

gotdiesel2007 said:

My hospital recommends for ftm contractions every 5 min that last a minute for an hour. For everyone else contractions every 10 min for an hour.

Exactly my point. You'll get a variety of answers on here, and your best bet is to ask your doctor because they are familiar with your personal case.
My childbirth class at the hospital I'm delivering at told me to come in when they hit 5-6 minutes apart. My doctor said just to wait until they are 3-4 since I have told her that I want as few interventions as possible.

Kwest1007

& my doc said once more than 4 contractions an hr.

breezymeema7

It really varies. The birthing centre for DD2 was 3-1-1. Contractions 3 minutes apart, 1 minute long, for 1 hour. For a variety of reasons, I leave as soon as I know it's the real thing.

benmel31

It depends.  My doc/hospital also recommends the 5-1-1.  However, I plan on calling my doctor to help me decide when to leave, especially if I am early or my water breaks.  

hclzmm14

Ask your doctor all L&Ds are different. At mine you have to meet certain criteria to be admitted, so you wouldn't want to be unsure and then be told to head home.

Robin910

gotdiesel2007 said:

My hospital recommends for ftm contractions every 5 min that last a minute for an hour. For everyone else contractions every 10 min for an hour.

Mine said the same thing and to come in if my water breaks or I'm bleeding more than just light spotting.

Seed0824

Every hospital has their recommendations. Mine told me if we come before that and its not time to do anything, they might not even be able to get you in a room so to stay home where you can be comfortable.

amybabbay

My midwife says to come in as soon as contractions are 5 minutes apart
Although I will be calling my hospital when I think I'm in labour anyways

deviduke412

My hospital and midwives really want you to labor at home as long as possible before coming in. As said, typically when contractions are 5 min apart. Obviously this is different if someone is high risk, etc. They want you to call at this point as well.

Baby2HG

With my first I barely felt tightnest and uncomfortable and went it. I was having timeable contractions. This time once I feel the same I'm going in.

ann_jeremiah

It also depends on how far you are from the hospital.

SashaDenn25

I want to labor at home as long as I can so until I cant stand it or contractions are 3-5 minutes apart my butt will be finding ways to calm myself at home.

JNOVA2015

This question is exactly why it's helpful to take a labor and delivery class if you haven't given birth before. It was pretty much the first thing they covered in ours.

jlsweets

JNOVA2015 said:

This question is exactly why it's helpful to take a labor and delivery class if you haven't given birth before. It was pretty much the first thing they covered in ours.

I don't think attending a birthing class is important to know when to go in. It's pretty simple. I didn't take any classes with my first. I just listened to what my doctor told me, which was 5-1-1 and/or water breaking and everything worked out fine.

jlsweets

JNOVA2015 said:

This question is exactly why it's helpful to take a labor and delivery class if you haven't given birth before. It was pretty much the first thing they covered in ours.

I don't think attending a birthing class is important to know when to go in. It's pretty simple. I didn't take any classes with my first. I just listened to what my doctor told me, which was 5-1-1 and/or water breaking and everything worked out fine.

csears15

My doctor told me to go in if I have 4 contractiins in 1 hour. I'm high risk though, so it may be different.

kate1524

My doctor told me to come if I have regular contractions every 3-5 min for at least an hour that are too painful to talk through. Every doctor is different, ask next time you're in & good luck!

lmwalker10

5-1-1 rule or if your water breaks is standard for most doctors!