When to go to the hospital?

farmerp

I want a natural birth, but because we have no midwives, birthing centers, etc. anywhere nearby, I'm delivering at a hospital. So it's been suggested to me that I labor at home as long as possible before heading in. But here's my big question: When do I know it's time to go to the hospital? It's only 10 minutes from my house, but I don't want to wait too long or get there too early and then be potentially faced with restrictions. Thoughts or recommendations?

sschwege

I was about 15-20min from the hospital and my MWs said when the contractions were between 3-1-1 and 2-1-1.  I labored at home for 10 hrs finally heading in at 3.5-1-1.  I left a little early, but my contractions never really got super close together.  I think even during transition they were something like 2 1/2 minutes apart.  I got to the hospital at 6cm dilated which was fine, had my hospital not been so pro-natural childbirth I probably would have waited a little longer.  When we left I knew I wasn't super close, but just didn't want to do the car ride/triage while in transition.  

sunflowergrl

I agree with PP, between 3-1-1 and 2-1-1 sounds good.  Especially since you're only 10 mins away.  With DD2, I got to left for the hospital at 2.5-1-1 and it's 20 mins away.  I only labored in the hospital for 2 hrs before I had her.  GL

tokenhoser

I went in when the idea of 10 minutes in the car sounded like torture. I also found this blog post really true in my experience:

https://bellyupbaby.blogspot.com/2011/07/is-it-time-to-go-to-hospital.html

judahsmommy1

I would throw out the idea of timing the contractions. They tell you very little about where you're at. When the idea of sitting in a car for 10 minutes starts to get overwhelming, go to the hospital.

mkflower3000

I'm about 15-20 minutes from my BC and was given the 5-1-1 rule for a first baby.

hmartinez0809

Emotional cues can be a great tool... If you go from chipper to serious fast that 'could' be a huge sign. Remember not to get too excited when that time comes because adrenaline can slow labor down. Easier said than done I am sure. 

MangomamaFL

Stay at home as long as you can stand it then go to the hospital.

You can have 5-1-1 mild contractions that you barely notice if you are not paying attention. If you have contractions like that it probable that it is not time to go to the hospital.

Now if you have 5-1-1 contractions that are strong enough that you need to stop whatever you are doing then it is likely time to go. 

 

celiabwatson

In my labors the timing of contractions was never really a good indication, more like the intensity. 

Basically, with both labors my contractions were 5 min apart right away, but they increased in intensity. In both cases I labored basically the whole time at the hospital/birth center for various reasons but I wanted to share that frequency may not mean much (other than that it's real labor and not braxton hicks). 

livinginashoe

I was terrified to go to the hospital. Convinced I would get there too early, that I wouldn't be far enough along, and that it would all lead to interventions.

I ended up waiting until my water broke. After that, contrax were every two minutes, lasting at least a minute. I was shaking uncontrollably and very nauseated. I was sure I was in transition.

When they checked me and hour and a half later in triage, I was at 3 cm. They barely decided to let me stay, and I only edged in because my water had broken. It was a very disheartening experience to realize I was only at 3 at that point and that they didn't think I was really far enough along to be there. I was at 10 and pushing two hours later, though, so it all worked out.

kaeti_su

My CNM said that the timing wasn't as important as the intensity. When things start getting more intense, that's the time to go. She was right, even though she didn't believe me when I called her. She didn't think I "sounded" like I was far enough along to go to the hospital, but I told her things were getting more intense and she agreed to meet us at the hospital. I was 9 cm when I arrived (I live 40 minutes from the hospital).

FWIW, though, timing contractions did help me to determine that I was actually in labor and that it was serious. What I had didn't feel like the classic description of contractions, but when I sat down and put my hand on top of my belly and timed the tightening, it was 40-60 seconds 1-2 minutes apart. It was really helpful for me to know that, since I only felt my contractions in my cervix and bottom.

L0L0

My labor started with my water breaking, and the contractions hurt a lot from the very beginning. I got to the hospital after about 3 hrs of contractions, and I was 4 cm. I wanted reassurance that the baby was doing well. Also I had a major fear of accidentally having the baby at home or in the car. Plus I had a MW team that was super pro natural birth so I didn't worry that getting there early would put me on the path to a c-section. Plus I liked being waited on hand and foot by the nurses and my doula

erb82

With both my labors I was able to talk and laugh and make phone calls through the contractions right until about 45 minutes before the babies were born.  If I hadn't been timing and just gone with the emotional signposts/intensity of contractions, I would have delivered both of my children in the car.  I agree with almost everything pps have said, but I would make sure I'm timing contractions too.  If they're coming 3 minutes apart, even if they're not too intense, it might be time to go to the hospital.

jennakg

My HypnoBirthing instructor says to go when you feel like your "sitting on a baby head."   This would technically be transition.

 I'm only 5 to 10 mins away from the hospital, so I am planning on doing just about that. 

SWBs Wifey

I delivered at a birth center attached to a hospital, so take that into consideration... I also live 30-45 mins from the center and the route includes a 2 lane tunnel that is known for bad traffic.  

In general the MWs tell patients to come when they feel like they need to be there instead of at home.  For me, that was absolutely the case.  I was starting to get more and more anxious about being at home instead of at the center. I wasn't considered about delivering at home or in the car... I was most concerned about how bad the pain would be while sitting in the car... and rush hour traffic.  

tokenhoser

jennakg:

My HypnoBirthing instructor says to go when you feel like your "sitting on a baby head."   This would technically be transition.

 I'm only 5 to 10 mins away from the hospital, so I am planning on doing just about that. 

A lot of people would end up sitting on a baby if they followed this advice.

I don't remember this sensation. Ever.