When to head to the hospital

Question

I was just curious as to when you guys went to the hospital for labor. What symptoms did you personally have? 
I’m wondering because I went to the hospital on Friday night and they doctor said I had no initial dilation and at around 3am I was at a 1. They sent me home once my contractions stopped and my potassium was up again. Yesterday (Monday) my doctor said I was at 2 cm and my contractions came back stronger and more consistent.
I’m just so tired of going to the hospital and nothing happening (plus it’s expensive) so I wanted to hear your experiences.

Answer

I labor at home for as long as possible so I usually wait until contractions are really really painful and are about 3-4 minutes apart. This way I don’t go in a bunch of times unnecessarily.

Answer

I had contractions for 2 hours straight ever 2-4 minutes, went in and they watched me. I didn’t progress and she pretty much said to come in when it’s too excruciating for me to handle or my water breaks

Answer

Sounds like me with my first. Went in because I was having contractions 5 minutes apart for over an hour was only 2 cm so got sent home. Went to the dr the next day because I was still consistently having contractions and only at 3 cm but was dehydrated so they admitted me and finally was at 4 so they said they would keep me. I was in labor for about 36 hours before baby finally arrived. Second one I didn’t want to go in early so I waited a few hours and was in so much pain. Went in and was 8 cm and baby was born about 15 minutes after getting there. So I guess it’s hard to say when to go in.

Answer

My first I was in and out of hospital for 4 days because I was "in labour" it was only early labour but I thought It was real active labour.. stay at home as long as you can. Time contractions and go in when they are 3-5 minutes apart.
My 2nd I had pain all day but it wasn't bad just lower back pain and cramps, I went in when my contractions were so irregular and so painful (20 seconds long and only 40 seconds to 1 minutes between) and I had my daughter 2 minutes later on the hospital floor 😅 
I had no prior warning went from just back pain and cramps to strong and irregular full blown contractions.

Answer

Most hospitals I know of will recommend coming in when your contractions are either meeting the 5-1-1 or 4-1-1 pattern. (5mins apart from start of one to start of another, lasting for 1 minute, consistently at that rate for 1hr) as that indicates you’re likely in active labor vs prodromal (false or early) labor

Answer

I labored for 20 hours at home with two trips to the hospital in between that were only a couple hours each. I ended up going in a third time and getting fluids because I was so dehydrated my body wouldn’t dilate anymore. 
I didn’t even call until I was around 8 hours into early labor with my contractions lasting a minute and anywhere from 3-5 minutes a part. If you can call before hand they can kind of walk you through what you should do!

Answer

Wait until either 
your water breaks (with no or only noticeable contractions) 
Or 
Your contractions are 5min apart and painful

Answer

My first I waited for 4-1-1 like my Dr told me, spent 10 out of 18hours laboring at hospital. 
My second I waited for 3-1-1 AND the bunker down feeling, I spent 3 out of 18 hours laboring at hospital. It was easier to know when because I have a better understanding how my body reacts to the different stages of labor. This time I'll probably go when I know I'm hitting transition, and I'm close enough to the hospital where that's safe to do. 
You have early (typically 1-4cm) active (4-7cm) transition (7-10cm) and delivery. Early labor can take forever unfortunately and is super frustrating. Look up signs to know when you're moving into the next stage.

Answer

Head into get checked when contractions are less than 5 minutes apart consistently for at least an hour and a minute in duration AND strong enough that you cannot walk or talk through them. If they are farther apart or you don’t have to stop what you’re doing and breathe through them it is probably too early.

When to head to the hospital

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