At what point did you go to the hospital?
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Topic: At what point did you go to the hospital?
Posted By: Hopes
Subject: At what point did you go to the hospital?
Date Posted: 29 August 2011 at 8:52am
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At what point in labour did you go into hospital? Not so-many-cm dialated, because I have no idea what I was when, but what state were you in as far as dealing with contractions went?
I ask because I'm a bit nervous about what to do with Jacob this time round. I stayed at home too long last labour, and drove there in transition (I don't recommend it) so don't know when I 'should' have gone in. The baby's due at an inconvinent time for the in-laws, who could have picked him up and taken him to their place - they might not be here to do that in early Jan. So my Mum will have to drive up, and it's too far for her to take Jacob home again, she'll stay here to look after him. I love my Mum and all, but I tend to be kind of private when it comes to pain, and would rather she didn't see me at the 'on my hands and knees groaning' point. Would it be usual to be at the birthing centre by that point? It's a silly little thing, but it's playing on my mind. -------------   
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Replies:
Posted By: luvmylittlies
Date Posted: 29 August 2011 at 9:15am
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Something that's very individual I reckon. I'm someone that would prefer my own shower, toilet, kitchen etc so I want to stay at home as long as possible. And 'they' say that labour often slows down when you go to hospital/birthing centre which is also why they recommend you staying at home as long as possible. But if you're worried about it I don't think there's any actual problem with you going in a bit earlier and getting settled. I think from memory last time my midwife said to think about coming in once the contractions were regularly 5 mins apart and a minute long but someone who's done it more recently might have a better idea. ------------- Adoring Mum to Talisin 8/9/11 and Kiara 18/01/10 |
Posted By: MrsEmma
Date Posted: 29 August 2011 at 9:20am
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I was worried about this too, I went to hospital too early with DS - I thought I was about to have him any minute but I was only 4cm but he was posterior so that could possibly explain it.
With DD my MW told me to call her when my contractions were 3-4 mins apart and lasting a minute. When they started I though yup, no worries. I timed them from about 8-10 mins apart and they got down to 4-5 mins apart lasting a minute and I just knew I needed to go, I think it was at that point the pain got pretty full on and I just got a gut feeling so I called her and off we went. It did cross my mind that I was only going to be 2cm and she'd send me home haha (I laugh now but at the time I was so distraught that it might happen) but I was 7cm when I got there. My MIL came around to stay with DS as it was 3am and I didn't want her to see me in labour at all - I'm pretty private like that too so I know how you feel! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 29 August 2011 at 10:38am
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I would go to the birthing unit before you're on your hands and knees point! ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com"> 
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 29 August 2011 at 10:42am
Thanks for your thoughts  I should have said, my contractions were all up the wop too (which was mostly why we were so late going). They never got longer than about 45 seconds, right up until he was born, and they didn't particularly increase in frequency, they just got more and more intense. So I don't even have that to measure when I perhaps should have gone in.-------------
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Posted By: Flutterby
Date Posted: 29 August 2011 at 11:41am
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With DD I laboured at home by myself till I got to the stage where I couldn't talk during a contraction. Called mum at that stage, she took about half an hour or so to get round to my place (was at 3am), and when she arrived my contractions where only 2 mins apart, got to hospital 15 mins later and I was 8cm.
Remember that second labours are normally quicker then the first. With DS (my first) I was in active labour for 12 hrs, but only 7 hrs with DD. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 29 August 2011 at 1:05pm
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Yeah that is a good idea, when you can't talk through them.
Mine with number two started at 2mins apart & like yours Hopes never got to that minute stage, just got really intense. ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com">
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: Hayz001
Date Posted: 29 August 2011 at 1:45pm
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I left it quite late (not cm wise - was 4cm) and was def on the 'hands and knees' part when we left (literally was on hands and knees on the footpath between the car park and hospital) - as soon as my waters broke things got super intense, but I was a bit of a loser and still believed things weren't serious enough to call the MW.
I would talk to your midwife about it and see what she thinks. Dependng on how busy the hosp is, you might be sent home if you're not in established labour when you arrive, perhaps if you have in your birthing plan that you want to go to hosp quite early this could assist your midwife in ensuring this is facilitated? On the other hand, are there friends that could help with Jacob? Or could your mum potentially have a motel room or something close by to take him to? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 29 August 2011 at 7:01pm
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I plan to stay home for the whole time, so not much help in that respect, but is there someone your mum could come up and stay with that is closer, so that she's only a wee way away once you decide you want her?
I'm going to have to have someone here to take care of DD, even though I'd kind of rather not, so they are going to be banished to her room with her if it's night and I'm going to play whitenoise in there so hopefully they don't hear everything going on in the family room! If it's daytime, I'll just get them to head out for a walk with her or something. Isn't it funny how different the things you worry about the second time are?  ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Mum2ET
Date Posted: 29 August 2011 at 7:19pm
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I went to hospital when mine where around 3 mins apart and last for a min (I think). My midwife wrote me a list- which I stuck to the fridge so I would remember- of when I should call her so that was a good reference point. Labour is different for everyone and if I had waited until I couldn't talk through a contraction I would have already reached the pushing stage. As it was when I got to the hospital I was already 8cm.
As luck would have it I went into labour in the middle of the night and Ella was spending the night at my parents place (I was already 7 days overdue so I knew there was a good chance that something was going to happen soon), so I didn't have to worry about her. ------------- Mum to Ella (5) and Tom (2) |
Posted By: kiwisj
Date Posted: 29 August 2011 at 10:42pm
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I think mine were about 5 mins apart when I went to the hospital with DS2? My waters broke first so it was a bit easier to know what to do IYGWIM, I'd already spoken to my gynae who said come in tomorrow afternoon (24hrs) or when you feel ready. I think I probably went a bit too early (was only about 5cm when we got there) however, after taking about 3 hours to get to 6cm, DS arrived in a REALLY big hurry after that so I'm quite glad I didn't wait since once things happened they happened fast IYGWIM?
I think it's really personal in a way, ie if you think you'll be uncomfortable with someone else in the house while you're in pain then that might actually slow things more than if you went to hospital slightly early. A friend of mine waited till she thought she couldn't handle her contractions .. and gave birth 19 mins after she arrived in the hospital. I wouldn't recommend that  They only just got the pool full enough in time!------------- SJ Callum - Dec 2008 Daniel - Oct 2010 |
Posted By: TheKelly
Date Posted: 30 August 2011 at 12:21pm
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With my first when the contractions were a second apart and I needed to push in the car,she was born pretty much as soon as we got there.
Second I was 7cms,I waited at home as long as I could cos I'd gone in there at 10pm,the MW had said I wasn't in "enough pain" and was only 4cms and to come back in the morning,I took the morning to be when the sun was up,by 330am I couldn't talk through the contractions so we went to the birthing unit and he was born at 4:44am With my third,I went in when I was told to for my induction...which never happened cos I got there and went from 3cms to her being out in less than 2 hours,I had been having pains all day but not close together.Was great actually...liked her birth ------------- 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 30 August 2011 at 12:26pm
| With Alex i was putting the car seat in when I was in labour. When I was done doing that they started getting really painful and so I wanted to go in before they got worse so I could get gas. I was in transition in the car. 2nd time round was so fast from cramp every 5-10mins to end was 5hrs |
Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 30 August 2011 at 6:37pm
I think you're probably right. The birthing centre is lovely, and I think I'd actually be more comfortable there (we ran out of hot water here, and I would have stayed in the shower as long as I could if I hadn't frozen). Whereas I think I'd feel very self-concious and a bit uncomfortable with someone else here. I'll make a point of telling my midwife, and hoping we can get the birthing centre to be a bit relaxed about not sending me home if I get there a bit early. -------------
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kiwisj wrote:Posted By: Kalimirella
Date Posted: 31 August 2011 at 2:50am
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Well with this last one just gone, I went to see how far along I was (wasn't in a bad state at all, coping just fine) I just wanted to see if this was it. Well it was but until baby actually engaged nothing would happen so I elected to go home.
About an hour later (waters broke) and I just up and said thats it we are going. Fairly sure we drove while I was in transition like you said Hopes. Had her within half an hour of arriving at the hospital. Really was kicking myself and wishing I had stayed at the hospital! Oh and as for state, after my waters broke I had 2 contractions basically on top of each other and they kept coming so that, (and my mental wish of..can it all just stop now!) put me on high alert to get going. ------------- Kiara is 3 and Teagan is 2, now we're expecting our long awaited 3rd! http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Keleho
Date Posted: 31 August 2011 at 6:43am
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I cant really help much as I was induced first time but it is something that worries me as well.
A good friend of mine was told to head in when you no longer have a sense of humour, which worked well for her  ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: TheKelly
Date Posted: 31 August 2011 at 12:42pm
My daughter's stepmum had her youngest at home and her boys (4 and 2 at the time) were blissfully unaware,it was during the day and she had her friend there to distract them,but they just played outside anyway -------------
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: crafty1
Date Posted: 31 August 2011 at 8:48pm
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I found that second time around i kind of recognised where i was at in the process. Beforehand i wouldn't have thought that i would have remembered, but when the time came i had a good sense of how far along i was. It was way more accelerated than the first time.
My MW told me to come in even though i didn't feel that it was particularly imminent. She said she'd rather get me in and get me settled in and chill out there than leave it too late - that was birthing at birthing centre not hospital so maybe not the same pressure on getting in and out. I phoned my mil and got her to pick my son up quite early because i wanted to relax and concentrate on the labour, not looking after a 21 mo. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: boys.boys.boys.boys
Date Posted: 01 September 2011 at 8:02am
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Yeah, I think when the time comes you will have a fair idea of when you want to go into the birthing centre. You never know, your waters might break first this time and it will give a lovely 'this is starting' point!!
I know where you are coming from though, as much as I love my mum, I wouldnt want her to see me in labour!! (Although, probably if it happened at the time, I wouldnt care less!) You can always give us a yell and we can come and pick up Jacob and bring him back to our place, he would probably play quite happily... ------------- 4 boys!! 7 years, 5 years, 2 years and 8 weeks... |
Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 01 September 2011 at 12:56pm
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Thanks Rosie - if I go into labour in the daytime, I might well take you up on that. Mum could always pick him up from your place in the evening if things dragged on... -------------
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Posted By: lostAmber
Date Posted: 01 September 2011 at 1:32pm
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I decided to go when contractions were 7min apart, but this was because I was out of town. By the time I arrived at the hospital things were 5mins apart. Labour started for me at 15min apart. I couldn't talk when the contractions came, and nor could I walk (got stuck in e.d. automatic doors as a contraction hit and I was paralysed lol). My waters didn't break until I was well underway. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: lostAmber
Date Posted: 01 September 2011 at 1:37pm
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I think it depends on how long you labour for also Hopes. With Liv from start to finish was 5hrs, and an hour of that was because she got stuck. So for me, as soon as things start moving I think we will be heading into town (have a 30min drive now). I really didn't even know if I was in labour for the first two hours, I was laughing at the absurdity of being out of town, no husband, and 3wks early. I kept questioning myself as to whether it was false labour and if I went to the hospital early (because they don't recommend going before contractions are 5min apart) was it all going to come to nothing. I wasn't timing how long my contractions were lasting either, just the interval between them. I was 7cm when I arrived. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: JoJames
Date Posted: 01 September 2011 at 9:06pm
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I think I also depends how far you are from the hospital, Mine were 4mins apart lasting 45secs and not very painful, but we live 20 mins away so we headed on in. I could tell when we arrived that they didn't think I was in enough pain (and I was only 4cm)so were all ready to send me home after a CTG, thankfully 1 1/2 hrs of monitoring later and I was 9 cm, so that was sweet.
Definately be aware that your second will most likely be faster, so you probably will be better safe than sorry if you go in earlier, just ring your MW, they tend to be pretty good at guiding. ------------- http://www.alterna-tickers.com"> 
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Posted By: Pinkygirl
Date Posted: 02 September 2011 at 7:54pm
| My advice don't send your partner to go and drop off your first child to their Nana's while you are at home. I sent DP to drop of DS and 20min later decided what a bad idea it was as I knew I had to go to hospital. Unknown to him he decided to go in and have a chat with my Mum, meanwhile I was screaming in our bedroom wondering where he was and the look on his face wben he arrived home and I told him we were going to the hospital was priceless! Just say I had our DD 20 minutes after arriving to the hospital fully dilated. It is so true the second can some faster than the first. Had my show at 8.30am by 2pm was in established labour and she came at 4pm that day, caompared to DS who was 17 hours established labour and assisted delivery. |
Posted By: noodle
Date Posted: 02 September 2011 at 9:03pm
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2nd time round was alot faster for me aswell...my waters broke just over 4 weeks early so I had to go to the hospital from the start as I needed antibiotics and I was attempting a VBAC. I was having contractions (so the monitor said) but if I was at home and my waters hadn't gone I wouldn't have had any idea I was in early labour as they just felt like braxton hicks. I was 5cm dilated at the time. The monitor was showing contractions irregular about ever 10-20mins apart It wasn't until another pocket of waters were broken that my contractions immediatley started hurting me and went from irregular to about 7 mins apart for a few contractions and at this point at if at home I would of thought something was up and probably hung around at home for a while thinking I had a bit of time up my sleeve and i'd just do it there for a while, if that was the case though I would of well and truely had DD at home (or in the car on the way to the hospital) as pretty soon after a few 7 minute apart contractions they were rolling contractions and she was born 1 hour and 20 minutes after those waters went with less than 5 minutes pushing.
So i'd definatley go when you feel you need to, even if it is a bit early as things can step up to that next level so quickly. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: xtina23
Date Posted: 03 September 2011 at 12:55pm
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I waited till DP had finished work, picked him up and told him he had to drive back home. At this point i started pacing the hallway and couldnt be in any position, also i wasnt talking much. DP called the birthing suite as i was 35 weeks so didnt expect anything. We went in and they checked me i was already 10cms dilated, 3 hours in labour DS arrived they broke my water 15 mins before he popped out.
So i would totally go in before your in too much pain and at the stage where you cant talk unless your water has broken and its been awhile i would phone up and ask them whether you should head there. I will need to be quick getting to hospital too at the rate the first one came out! ------------- 
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Posted By: LG
Date Posted: 05 September 2011 at 9:01pm
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My MW told me to expect labour to be half as long (short)second time around.
I was worried about the timing too but thankfully my mum took time off work around when i was due and came to stay out here (we live an hour away from the hospital). My contractions were only 5 mins apart and really not that sore but DD1 was starting to get worried about me so we decided to leave (was 9cm when i got to hospital so turned out okay. ) -------------  Angel Baby Aug '12, Feb '13 |
Posted By: TheKelly
Date Posted: 05 September 2011 at 10:10pm
lol,and 3rd babies can be even faster. DD1 was 24 hours established labour DS was 6 hours from start to finish... DD2--was 3cms at 9:41pm and she was born(as in out and on my chest) by 11:41pm -------------
http://lilypie.com">
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