when to go: contraction pattern

katiecaitlin74

I was 2cm 50 effaced 5 days ago am now 38 weeks 5 days. Had twins vaginally 13 months agoearly induction with great and early pain control.
My question is when to know youre in labor to go? I have had serial runs of contractions lasting an hour avg every 7 mins with gap after 1 hr of 15 min the last 2 early mornings a few times am in another run now. Pelvic pressurre with pain but I can still talk through it. When to say this must be it???

Jasmineeelizabeth

My MW told me to call when my contractions are 3-4 mins apart and are lasting at least 1 min.

kuetgal

My OB said call at 5 min apart, lasting 1 min for an hour or if my water breaks.  I am a high risk pregnancy,but that seems pretty standard.

VTFutureMrs

kuetgal:

My OB said call at 5 min apart, lasting 1 min for an hour or if my water breaks.  I am a high risk pregnancy,but that seems pretty standard.

This. I just remember 5-1-1. 

NeinerBopper13

Some women never get to a rhythmic 5-1-1 pattern. I would call your doctor or L&D & tell them what you're experiencing. At least maybe you can go in & be checked to be safe.

skio

That's not regular. You want regular for at least an hour, no change with walking/ movement/ bath etc. and painful enough that you can't walk or talk through them.

My rule this time is less than five minutes apart for an hour plus the above. I went to the hospital far too early last time.

Hang in there. I've had at least four false alarms of painful but erratic contractions that have left me wondering and frustrated, but I know it'll happen soon. I've also been 3cm and 70 percent since Thursday. Baby just isn't ready, I guess.

RumbleLina

skio:

That's not regular. You want regular for at least an hour, no change with walking/ movement/ bath etc. and painful enough that you can't walk or talk through them.

My rule this time is less than five minutes apart for an hour plus the above. I went to the hospital far too early last time.

Hang in there. I've had at least four false alarms of painful but erratic contractions that have left me wondering and frustrated, but I know it'll happen soon. I've also been 3cm and 70 percent since Thursday. Baby just isn't ready, I guess.

Yup. Continuous and if changing positions, hydration, or bath changes their frequency then its not active labor.

My OB even says more then an hour of continuous contractions. I've had timeable contractions, every 3 to 5 lasting 30sec to 1min so far that last over an hour but at the hour and half mark is when they finally responded to position changes or a bath.

beebaby

NeinerBopper13:

Some women never get to a rhythmic 5-1-1 pattern. I would call your doctor or L&D & tell them what you're experiencing. At least maybe you can go in & be checked to be safe.

I agree.  Some women never get into this pattern.  I never did when I delivered my first.   

Like other posters have mentioned, look for consistency.  If the contractions continue over an hour and through things like resting or laying down then it is probably time to call and see what the doctor says.   

PrimRoseMama

511 Rule is what my OB advised.