what's your threshold for going to L&D?

lnle

Just curious about what your docs told you. Mine said to go in if I had more than 4 contractions an hour. I think I should probably go in today, based on the last few hours. It's so hard for me to tell when contractions start and stop...

SLM05

Do you have a home contraction monitor?  I monitor twice a day.  If i have more then 5 an hour, i have to drink, lay down, repeat for a half hour if it is more then 3 then i go in.  I would call your doctor just to make sure.   Hope all is well, keep us posted!

robinsokj

I've always had frequent contractions, so if I went by the 4 an hour rule, I'd be there every day.  Mine is more like 8 an hour.  I'm sure that isn't helpful to you in any way.  

lnle

I don't have a home contraction monitor - for some reason my MFM doesn't believe in them. I am laying down and drinking water as much as I can.

And to the other pp, sometimes I feel like I have way more than 4 an hour too. I just am never sure, and it's so exhausting to go to the hospital that I like to save it for when I'm feeling really bad. 

atc282

Maybe just call and ask them if it's a good idea to come in or not based on what you're feeling?

I know during the early 30s wks I had a few times that I thought I had reached my max and was going to head in, but then I'd just call and the nurse would have me monitor closely that next hr--if it stayed freq. with contrax (more than 4-5), she'd encourage me to go in, but if they would become irreg. or only up to 4 xs, I'd stay home (and just keep drinking water and laying on my side).*Note: I ended up somehow w/ a UTI around 31 wks and noticed a lot more contrax until that cleared (ughhh).

GL and hope you feel better soon

Breenie29

I was always told to call if I had any concerns, even if they were minimal, and they would try to assess over the phone. And that was fairly early on in my pregnancy. I think you know your body best, if you're feeling like something is a little off then go, it doesn't hurt. Better safe than sorry. You are pregnant with triplets, that is a big deal in itself! Take care!

BeccaLandes

My OB said 6 or more an hour, lasting 30 seconds or more per contraction, for more than 2 hours.  But call if you are worried!  I always call if it doesn't go away.

britbswoo

I've also been told for more than 4 an hour to just go in.  I would call if i were you, maybe your Dr. could even squeeze you in for a check mine has done that before.  I hope they stay put a little longer!

pea-kay

i never went to L&D because I never had contractions (so I probably should be keeping my trap shut) but I'd say better safe than sorry....

janjag

i was told if you have more than 4/hr, and it continues even after drinking a lot of water and laying down on your side. 

you don't want to ignore what's going on, for sure. yes, it's hard to tell.... short of having yourself hooked up to the belt all the time!  my OB didn't want me to count any mini's... ones that lasted less than 45sec, but it's hard to tell when they are coming on.  you end up spending so much time watching the clock.

 

finallyreilly

I went once at 26 weeks when I had 5 in one hour.  They told me to come back if I had more than 4 an hour.

I would say at this point if you think you need to go - you should go.   It doesn't hurt anything to get monitored.  They would much rather see you in there early to stop contractions versus waiting.

MrsDonnelly2007

My OB first said 6 w/in an hour but after my trip to L&D around 27 weeks she said only call if I have 12 in an hour, which I thought was high, but she said my cervix was holding strong and my contrax aren't affecting my cervix and my uterus is just irritable from growing so fast.

Nikki1007

I have a HUAM and I am allowed 4 in an hour.  If I go over I have to drink water, lay on my side and give myself an extra dose of terb and monitor again and so far that has stopped them.  If you are feeling more than 4 in an hour definitely call.  They can stop them if they catch it early enough.

nygrl79

robinsokj:

I've always had frequent contractions, so if I went by the 4 an hour rule, I'd be there every day.  Mine is more like 8 an hour.  I'm sure that isn't helpful to you in any way.  

This for me, but even at 8 an hour, I am not to go in, because I have 10-18 an hour on a pretty regular basis -- they says I have an irritable uterus.  So I guess I am really no help here.  However, I was told to go in if my contractions changed in any way -- got stronger, more painful, or crampy.

Nerwak

I'd call to see what they say. I hope things ease up!