Contraction rule

I'mGonnaMarryYou · February 2014

What's the contraction rule again? How many for how long before you call your doctor? I've started to have them but can't remember for the life of me. This is my second child. You'd think if remember.

Jessabelly · February 2014

1 minute long, 5 minutes apart for an hour

PerkyErky · February 2014

My dr gave me a sheet that says 5-1-1, contractions every 5 minutes, lasting for 1 min, for 1 hr.

ring_pop · February 2014

I seem to remember 5-1-1 - 5 mins apart, 1 min long, for 1 hour.

I don't intend to put too much stock into the 1 hour part though. Last time it did NOT take me anywhere close to that long to get from 5 mins to 2 mins apart. My OB told me this time to just go to the hospital when they're 5 mins apart.

I'mGonnaMarryYou · February 2014

Thank you ladies. Right now they're 6 mins apart but lasting only 20 seconds. So I've got a ways to go I think.

maganonymous · February 2014

My doctor gave me a little "how to know when you are in labor and what to do" card to put in my wallet last week

It says "if you have had a baby before, call when contractions are every 5 minutes lasting 45-60 seconds for 1 hour". So...basically 5-1-1 like the other ladies have said

jwls84 · February 2014

My doctor said if they are coming every 5 minutes for more than a hour and/or you can't talk or walk through them.
I get BH that are 5 minutes apart but I don't go in because I can walk through them.

[Deleted User] · February 2014

The user and all related content has been deleted.

SurpriseAt39 · February 2014

My doc didn't give me a set of numbers like the 5-1-1 rule.
And if I had waited for that last time, I would have had the baby at home, or had to cal 9-1-1 lol.

I had 3 contractions in one hour...then they jumped to about 2 minutes apart.
From first contraction to baby on my chest was 5 hours total. Glad I didn't wait.
And I won't wait this time.

ProudMommy030614 · February 2014

When I had ds 2 mine were 10-15 min apart lasted for 1 hour but I labored at home from 10am-7pm. I went to L&D and had him less than an hour later. The pain wasn't even there. I didn't think it was really time but H wanted to be safe. Thank god for fathers intuition!

[Deleted User] · February 2014

The user and all related content has been deleted.

kelley72 · February 2014

First time rule for me was the 5, 1, 1, subsequent I didn't need a rule I knew when it was time. Now though it has been 11 years so I'm back to 5,1,1...

Missfunball · February 2014

4-1-1 here, though they highly encouraged me to stay home since I wanted natural. When I went in they were more frequent and I measured 3 cm for 2 hours and was sent home (what I measured the day before as well). 4 hours later I came in collapsing every contraction 1-2 min apart lasting 30-90 seconds and was 8-9.

So listen to your body. Though its ok to go in, worse case scenario is they'll send you walking or recommend going home.

[Deleted User] · February 2014

The user and all related content has been deleted.

PerkyErky · February 2014

While my OB has the 5-1-1 "rule" I plan to use it as a guideline and not an iron clad standard. We live about 10min from the hospital. I figure just like everything else in pregnancy, there is no one-size-fits-all.

OakvilleMomof3+1 · February 2014

I think even ten or 8 mins apart is a good time to go as long as they are strong enough to have to stop everything and breathe to get through. Also factor in the distance to your hospital. That matters!

PeytonEliMama · February 2014

My doctor has a different rule for second time+ moms. With my first it was 4-1-1. With this one I am to call as soon as I start having painful contractions 5-7 minutes apart.

jh&kh · February 2014

5-1-1 was the rule when I was a FTM, but this time around OB told me to go when I feel it's necessary and 5-7 strong contractions in an hour was probably a good indicator. I also live 30 mins from the hospital (with no traffic) and my first labor was only 8 hours from start of any contractions to finish.

BuckeyeWife07 · February 2014

LW78 said:

I went by the fact that they stopped me in my tracks and made me hang on to something with my hands.

I went by the "regular" and "can't walk or talk through them" rules. I progressed pretty quickly with DD2 - by the time I let DH call his parents they were 7 minutes apart but really uncomfortable, which is why I decided it was time. By the time we got to the hospital they were 2 minutes apart. and lasted 1 1/2 minutes each.

Want a personalized experience?

Contraction rule

Re: Contraction rule

Choose Another Board

Search Boards