On your second pregnancy...

amc_banana

How long did you wait at home with contractions before heading to your hospital?

On a side note...I am an hour away from my hospital so I am just curious with experiences. TIA!

monkeyqueen

Too long.

I live an hour away.   I got to the hospital a bit late.   About 20 minutes before we  got to the hospital, my body was bearing down to push.   Luckily, I'm a master at panting and resisting urges to push and we made it to the hospital.

My contractions were stupid.    All day I had contractions regularly at 5 minute intervals, but they felt more like painful braxton hicks.   Plus, I was busy with my other 2 kids so I didn't pay that much attention.   When I went to bed, the contrax. slowed down to 10 minutes apart, but they were more intense.....  I didn't know what to think, so I took a bath.....well.....oops......by the time I got out of the bath, they were still only 7 - 10 minutes apart, but I had bloody show and the contrax. were even more intense...I suspect transition.    

Anyway......I waited nearly too long. 

 

gin78

I'm a little worried about this as well.  We are an hour (with traffic) from my hospital and I know that the second baby comes quickly-- at least I hope MORE quickly the first one!  My husband is a fireman and is trained in emergency situations involving child birth.  He's never had to use this training, but we always joke around that he is going to have to deliver the baby in the middle of rush hour on the side of the highway!  

 I hope everything works out for you and if you don't quite make it in time, at least you'll have a good story to tell!   

RNOHIO

I waited until my contractions were coming very consistently and were about 3 minutes apart (I also live over and hour away and only had a 4 hr labor with DD).  I made it to the hospital and was 7 cm.  DS was born within 2 hours of arriving.  I was really happy that I labored at home that much.

NavyPilotWife

I went to a doctor's appointment that morning and was 3 cm and the doc had stripped my membranes.  I had contractions on and off all day and they were pretty regular from 5-7 pm, so I decided it would be best to put DD1 to bed at a friend's house instead of waking her later in the evening (making sure DD1 was taken care of was my biggest concern, since we don't live near family). DD2 was born 7 hours after I was admitted.  I definitely could have spent more time at home, but I was really glad that I didn't have to disturb DD1's sleep/call my friend in the middle of the night.

BrittKav

I was induced with my first so I didn't really know what to expect the second time around.

I started having contractions at 11:00 PM and arrived at the hospital at 3:00 AM. From 11-2 my contractions were 15 minutes apart and not painful at all. On the way to the hospital they started coming 5 minutes apart and were more uncomfortable. When I got to the hospital I was 6 cm dilated and gave birth 4.5 hours later. 

erbear

I was trying to VBAC, so I wanted to stay home as long as possible. We went to the hospital (20 minutes away) when my contractions were 4-5 minutes apart. It was a rough drive...

amc_banana

THanks Ladies! I hope we can make it on time! lol