[Guest_chocmudcake_*]

Ok this is going to sound VERY stupid, especially since I have had one baby already. But how do you know when the contractions are real and actual labour? I never knew with DD and only went to the hospital to "prove" to my mum that I wasnt in labour. Long story short, I was 6cm dilated and DD was born 90 mins after arriving at hospital.
I have been having contractions for weeks and BH since 15ish weeks. Last night contractions were strong and regular for hours, getting closer together. I guess the reason I am worried about it is because DH works an hour away and I dont want to leave it to the last minute to call him and he doesnt make it back in time for the birth.

[ally0812]

generally, false labour will ease off-stop with activity and movement. if contractions are regular(8 min 10 min 7 min ect... that counts as regular) and dont ease with activity and get stronger, your in labour.


as somone who didnt feel any latent labour i know where your coming from. but i felt my last 6 contractions, when baby started to move down in me, and trust me you will KNOW. if in doubt, call hubby. better a false alarm than a missed birth.

[Guest_chocmudcake_*]

See thats the thing, last night they had been 10 mins for about an hour, then 6-8 mins for another hour and then 6-7 mins for roughly an hour. Thats longer then DD's whole labour and I was ready to start showering ready for hospital. Nothing I did was easing them, and I also had a lot of lower back pain and pressure in my bottom. DH was up and dressed at 2am about to ring my mum to come and look after DD. So they are very regular when they happen, I just dont want to call Dh home from work 6 times cause I didnt know I was in real labour, lol.

[Jenflea]

I was induced so it never applied to me, but I was told at the classes that you ring the hospital and talk to the midwives and they can HEAR it in your voice lol.
I've actually heard that a few times, so I guess if you're starting to struggle at home, then you go in.
Good luck!

[ally0812]

well i would be cautious and go to hosp... worst that can happen is they send u home. i ended up giving birth in elevator on way up to mat ward as i called and was told to stay home. not ideal

[tamjk]

I was induced so it never applied to me, but I was told at the classes that you ring the hospital and talk to the midwives and they can HEAR it in your voice lol.
I've actually heard that a few times, so I guess if you're starting to struggle at home, then you go in.
Good luck!

This, and I can verify that they ARE able to tell just by listening to you speak! It's what I was told to do and did with my second child.

[bbunny]

My hospital and OB has also told us that in doubt or if you live furthur away, they prefer it if you come in earlier rather than too late. At the worst, they can send you home. They say this especially for women who have had a child before as labour is more unpredictable.

I'm in a private hospital though, not sure if it's the same principle in the public system

[Guest_Hoggle_*]

I was induced so it never applied to me, but I was told at the classes that you ring the hospital and talk to the midwives and they can HEAR it in your voice lol.
I've actually heard that a few times, so I guess if you're starting to struggle at home, then you go in.
Good luck!

That was the case with my first but not the next two. With my last one I phoned the hospital at 3am saying *i think* I am in labour but wasn't sure because the contraction were not too unbearable and a little irregular. She wqs born an hour after I made the phone call! (and about 25 mins after we got to the hospital)

I think just go whenever you feel you would like to. You can always go home again if you need to.

[pinkcupcakes]

with my dd i was having regular contractions and tey told me to come in for observation. the next thing i new i had gas and was having more and more painful contractions...then because i wasnt dilating quickly enough for them they put me on syntocinon and broke my waters. bub was fine and relaxed and not in a hurry to come out yet. because they rushed things so much ( mustve had a few babies to get through that day)i ended up having to have an emergency c-section. i later found out from some midwives at a different hospital that some women (myself included, it would seem) labour for longer, and if they had let things naturally run their course, i could've very well had a natural birth. if bub had been in distress or danger i would understand, but she was so chilled out.they like to rush women through and do ceasars because its more efficient for them.i know for me at least i feel cheated at not having been able to have a natural birth, and this time around i want to try a vbac, and i am confident i can do it.i have spoken to other women who have had to have ceasars and have felt the same. so.. long story short, we all labour differently, and while it may be in your best interests to be in hospital, PLEASE DONT let them rush you into it if your body or your baby is not ready.at the end of the day, its just a job to them, isnt it?

[Taffatups]

That was the case with my first but not the next two. With my last one I phoned the hospital at 3am saying *i think* I am in labour but wasn't sure because the contraction were not too unbearable and a little irregular. She wqs born an hour after I made the phone call! (and about 25 mins after we got to the hospital)

I think just go whenever you feel you would like to. You can always go home again if you need to.

This was me too. I rang at 12:45am to say I think I am in labour and I think my waters have broken and they said to come in just in case. Long story short DD was born 4.5 hours later. I had had no braxton hicks and at that point the contractions weren't very strong but were definite (they were stronger and more frequent by the time I got in to the hospital).

From what you have written, I would be calling them at least and probably heading in. Call DH too - better to be safe than sorry and miss the birth.