Close, regular contractions but not painful

snmcfarlin

Should I go into my clinic if I'm having contractions about 5 minutes apart, even if they're not painful? I've had steady contractions for the past hour and a half at 5 mins apart and over a minute long, but they aren't really hurting- just pressure (pretty much BH). I've been splitting the past few hours between sitting/relaxing and walking around/doing chores. What do you ladies think?

sbevmc09

I wouldn't.  Even though it sounds like you're fulfilling 5-1-1 it's extremely unlikely that you're going to be in active labor and just be chilling out like that.  You'll know it when it's time.

I'd probably wait a little longer, if the contractions keep up at 5-1-1 I'd probably put in a call to my office just to let them know what's going on, but I wouldn't head in until things got painful.  

landosmommy

MandJS:

I'd call before going in. And see if they go away with sitting (feet up) and drinking water.

i agree. I would call first. 

*LrCg*

I would go in With my first it was like that I spoke with my midwife on the phone she said I was too chipper to be in labor I had my baby 3 hrs later 4 hr labor first birth My midwife almost missed it :

lightgetsin

If they don't hurt, you are probably in the beginning stage of labor and have many, many hours ahead of you.  They will laugh and send you home.

itsmevkb

tmsgrl:

If they don't hurt, you are probably in the beginning stage of labor and have many, many hours ahead of you.  They will laugh and send you home.

Not necessarily.  I had a nurse laugh at me and tell me this exact same thing.  20 minutes later I was about to give birth in our car as pulled into the hospital parking lot.  It certainly wouldn't hurt to call and ask the nurse or your doctor.

choppinbroccoli22

They don't HAVE to hurt. Everyone feels labor differently. You might be a very, very, very blessed individual. At 5-1-1, I wouldn't rush right in, but I would let them know so that the on-call person doesn't get too excited about their Friday night plans. In other words, think about calling before the end of their work day, so that you don't have to go through an answering service, etc, and let them know what's going on so that maybe you can have a better way of contacting them later.

snmcfarlin

Thanks, all!! Since I posted they've slowed way down to sometimes ten minutes apart, so I think I'll wait a little longer. Tricky baby!!

ta78

I know you've said they've slowed down now, but thought I'd share still.

With DS mine started out the same.. steady and about 4-5 minutes apart. Not hurting too much, but started getting a little more painful throughout the day. I did go in and was sent home.. about 6 hours later they were hurting pretty bad.. went in and still wasn't far enough along and got sent home again. My water broke about 2 hours later and we finally got checked in. DS still didn't come for another 20 hours.. so over 36 hours after I first started feeling contractions.

Obviously everyone is different.. but try to relax and keep walking. You will know when it's time.. or at least a better idea of when it is time once they start really hurting or more intense pressure. Sounds like baby will be coming soon though.