So I am almost 38 weeks pregnant, yesterday at dr appt I was 3 cm and 80% (thurs I was 2cm 50%) I have been having contractions the last hour about 8 min apart. I know you are suppose to wait till 3-5 min apart, so I am. The thing is they are not very intense, With my 1st I was induced and never really felt the contractions I was having before the epidural, the nurses even asked if I was ok and just breathing through the ones I was having. Going to the hospital is kind of a big prodiction for us, my daughter has to go next door and the nieghbor is also helping take care of my MIL (who we are caregivers of and lives w us). I am just afraid of going and them saying, "oh not there yet, come back later". I am also afraid of down playing the contractions I am having and it being really close. Anyways, since they are not close enough I am eating a sandwhich since you cant eat once admitted hehe. So did anyone else experience this same thing? All my firends always had very strong contractions and never had to question it or their water broke (which is a given sign), I would liek your opinions, thanks :)
ADD: Thanks ladies :) Yes my bags are packed and the proper poeple are notofied that things might be on their way :) Now its just time for the waiting game. I appriciate all your feedback, thanks again
Thaks ladies, ended up not leading to anything. Still having them but not as consostant and not getting stronger. Still playing the waiting game, good news is something is happeneing :) I will keep you posted if anything changes.
Are you close to the hospital? Packed and ready to go in a moment's notice? Then hang in there you're close. Water break yet? if they intensify and come closer together or water breaks..I'd head out you're having a baby.
I think if you are eating a sandwich you aren't in labor, keep timing your contractions they will get worse when you are in labor. Oh and don't eat to much just in case or you may be puking your guts up later.
Yeah... I decided to take a shower and dry my hair (a big production with naturally curly hair) because despite my "no cameras on me" request I knew that would be ignored once I was past thinking straight. I decided to blow my hair out SHEERLY to use up time. The contractions were pretty mild (imho), I was expecting broken bone type pain, or (tmi warning) explosive diarrhea type pain, and they were more like being punched in the gut. I have a high pain tolerance, so they weren't really bugging me.
I was supposed to go in at 10min apart (since I'm high risk).
So I spent 2 hours futzing with my hair. They still weren't 10 min apart but I felt "weird" for lack of a better word (the diarrhea insistent type feeling of "gotta go gotta go gotta go right now"). They were going to send me home but did a vaginal and found me at 7cm, and kept me.
My personal feeling is that you can't tell if you're going to be in labor for 5 hours or 30 hours... so if they're steady... or something feels "weird"... why not drop off your daughter? That way, even if they send you "home" you'll have a few hours of prep time. And if they don't send you home... then no worries.
Oh.... :D.... happy birthday to your little one!
Call your DR, and see what they think you shoudl do. Or you could call the hospital and talk to them. Try walking around a little, some times that can speed thigns up. Just dont over over do it. AS for your daughter...I would also call who is going to be watching her. Explain whats going on with you. It gives them a heads up as well. Hang in there, and good Luck with everything Sweet!!! You'll do great I am sure of it!!!
I have. I would describe my contractions as "not that bad"...so either I have a high tolerance for pain or the ability to "work thru the pain" or something? but everyone commented to me about how I was doing it while I was in Labor all 3 times...2 of them were even inductions with no pain meds...
I would rather take my chances and be turned away (even if it was a big production) then wait too long and deliver my baby in the car :)
Follow your gut.
Congrats woman and good luck!
I was having completely painless contactions every 4-6 mins when I called my Doctor. She said go ahead to the hopsital, so I showered, dressed, and calmly got in the car with my hubby. It wasn't until we started driving that I actually began feeling any pain and by the time we got the the hospital I was already at 7 cms and fully effaced (it was hurting like a mother then, let me tell you). Within 40 mins, my daughter was born. I barely had time for the epidural! My doctor couldn't believe how calm I was when I called her considering how close I was to delivering, but it there was simply NO pain at that point. I was induced with my son (firstborn), so I had no idea what to expect with natural labor either. And my water had to be manually broken both times, so that was no help at all.
I just wanted to add my two cents, seeing as how I'm one of the lucky few that didn't have to endure hours of agony. Painless contractions can still mean labor, but you do need to pay attention to the frequency. I think I monitored mine for nearly an hour (of consistent 4-6 min intervals) before calling my doc, but that ended up being a mistake for me as I cut it so close.
I had some regular contractions with my second that were not very strong. I went to the hospital, and I was dehydrated, which can cause you to feel that way. They gave me a sprite, and they stopped. You could try and drink some clear fluid, just to be sure that it is not that too. If you have a high pain tolerance, then go sooner, rather than later. Better to go and not need to, than to not go when you did need to!
Good luck!
M.
It will help you if you do walking the mall or walking up and down stairs. It helps the progression of the labor.
It is what my daughter's (adopted grandmother) had me do at the hospital as I lived to far to go home and have to come back. I did stairs for an hour and then felt like I had to go to the bathroom. They then checked me and said she is ready to go straight upstairs to labor and delivery.
Good luck.
Yes, I was actually sent home TWICE from the hospital for my first child. I was pretty mad about it too. I was pretty close to the hospital though. But still. It made me mad. I was not happy about my first childbirth. My 2nd went better. It was a different hospital and was farther away. I heard a nurse mention something about maybe sending me home. I stood my ground and told them I wasn't going anywhere!!!!!! I didn't and they broke my water. I was happy :)
I just know that with my first son I went to the hospital because I was contracting and was sent home. The following week I thought I was gonna DIE the contractions were so intense and THAT is when I knew I was in "real" labor. I don't know....you are able to type and able to eat....sounds like it's not quite yet...but I am not a doctor. All I know is that I was on my hands and knees breathing through contractions when it was the real thing.
L.
I had this experience... for about 24 hours before I actually had to go to the hospital. I would contact everyone and let them know you are in the beginning stages of your labor and that at any point you may have to leave for the hospital. We arranged for my daughter to spend the night with my friend that evening, that way I didn't have to worry about the middle of the night issues. I ended up in the hospital at 9 pm that night and delivered at midnight. And... my water didn't break both times I gave birth until right before I actually delivered. I would try to wait it out at home as long as you can though... just start making these arrangements now with your family so you can focus on resting, eating, etc. before you have to go. Good luck and congratulations!!!
hi! ok, with my first it was by the book, lost mucuos plug, dilated all that fun stuff, and my water even broke, but it wasnt anything unbearable, so when i got to the hospital i was a 5 and a hour and half later i was a 9 and finally got my epidural. So i am wondering if i couldve had her without it..anyways, so i was very worried that with my second i wouldnt know i was in labor if my water didnt break. i was dilating, but didnt lose the plug and so one morning i wake up and thought i was having contractions but i wasnt sure so i called the dr, and mine to were not painful at all, but kept track of them for the 2 hours at a 2 minutes apart and went in and had him about 4 hours later. So long story short, it doesnt have tohurt in order for you to be in labor
