I'm 37 wks, 5 cm, 80%, and having contractions, but I keep getting sent home. When will they finally admit me?

Question

I've been to the hospital once a week for 3 wks, and i'm progressing each week, but my contractions arnt regular, how long is this going to go on?
It's my third pregnancy and with my other 2 I was already dialated at 5cm and they kept me. Although I was seeing a doctor and this time I'm seeing the midwives, is this why they keep sending me home? Help, my body is miserable and in a lot of discomfort.

Answer 1

they'll keep you once your contractions are regular and are 5 minutes apart for approx. an hour. or your water breaks. what you're experiencing are braxton hicks which dont increase in pain level or come regularly and are"practice" contractions to prepare your body for the real thing. have your bag ready, since you're so dilated already but you oculd end up lasting 3 weeks - totally possible.

Answer 2

they are suppose to keep you if you get to 3 cm dialated so they should already have admitted you. If you are progressing they can induce you to help you progress.

With that said yes it makes a difference when you have a midwife. Midwives see things differently and feel it is usually better to labor at home until your get really close. How long did you go before delivering with your first 2? That sometimes determines when they admit you with the next one.

I was 3 cm and 80% effaced at 32 wks and was admited and treating for preterm labor and put on bedrest. When I showed up at the hospital at 36 wks and 5 cm dialated and 100% effaced they had no choice but to keep me because i was early.

My mom was 3 cm and 50% effaced with me at 42 wks and the hospital tried to send her home and she refused to leave. She had me 20 minutes later.

Do they know if the cord is around the babies neck? WIth my second son I got to 6 cm and 90% effaced and got stuck. The contractions calmed down and I just wasn't progressing. When I finally did get contractions going again after walking around, rocking on the birthing ball, changing positions, going home to take a shower ( I begged to go home), taking a nap.........I delivered 2 hrs later and the cord was wrapped twice around the neck. Dr said that the cord can cause stalling in labor and delivery.

Answer 3

It shouldn't matter if you're seeing midwives this time around or not. The practice where I went both times used both. But yet they still would admit you after 3 to 4 cm or if you're water had broke. them sending you home at 5 cm dilated to me seems almost down right stupid b/c i went from 5 cm to 10 in less than an hour with my last one, my first was born at barely 38wks, the last at 37weeks and both boys were PERFECTLY healthy, lungs and all were fine. seems more than a little careless to me on their part for not admitting you. if i were you i would get my butt back to the hospital and flat out say admit me b/c i will not go home at 5cm dilated. refuse to leave is what i would do b/c it truly does not in any way make sense to me for this to be your third pregnancy and to send you home at 5cm.. I've truly never heard of that before especially when it's not your first child and it normally tends to go quicker with the more children you have.

Answer 4

If you are 5cm and having painful contractions then they should be admitting you into the hospital. Labor can go very quickly once you get to 5. I was 4cm and no contractions when they admitted me but I did have high blood pressure. I think you should voice your concern to them and let them know you are feeling a lot of discomfort and you dont feel as safe being at home because of your progress. Most any doctor or midwife will understand this. My son was delivered by a midwife and she did great, she was actually not wanting to send me home.

Answer 5

With my second pregnancy I seemed to contract through the whole thing. Especially starting at the 35th week. However if the labor isn't active(regular contractions, increasing in intensity and coming closer together, with progressing dilation and effacement)you won't progress to 10cm and 100% any time soon. I'm not very familiar with midwives. Are you having a boy? Many won't try to induce you until after 38wks because statistically white males have more problems breathing if delivered before 38wks.

Answer 6

That sounds a lot like what happened with my last baby (#3 also). They finally let me deliver at about 36 and 1/2 weeks, so hopefully they will let you soon. The last time I went in I was having regular contractions every 4 minutes though. Let me tell you how I worked that out though....I could feel one every now and again all day, so I decided to take a shower and go shopping. By the time I was done doing all that walking around, I was ready to go!!!
Good luck to you, I know how miserable you are!

Answer 7

The midwives want to keep you comfortable for as long as possible, and that means being at home. I know you're miserable, but you have to practice the techniques the midwives have taught you to ameliorate your pain. Breathing exercises? Hot shower? Meditation?

You may want to inform the midwives that if you have your baby at home, and Daddy has to deliver, that you will be charging them one-half of their fee on Daddy's behalf.

There is still the hospital, you know. They are still there. You can get the midwives to fax your information to the hospital...

Best wishes, sweetie,

TX Mom
not a dr
prenatal clinic tech

Answer 8

I guess midwives are different than DRs? How far apart are the contractions? That might make a difference to on their decision.

Answer 9

I would think that at 5cm they would keep you... I would think they would keep you at 4cm but definitely at 5cm. Maybe they are waiting for a more definite labor, especially since you are only 37 weeks.

Answer 10

They should be keeping you if your are 5cms.
Maybe try walking around and that will regulate your contractions.

Also if you have another hospital in your area you should try there.

If you only have the hospital that you've been going to then ask them why they keep sending you home.

At your next appointment tell your midwife how you are feeling and exaggerate it a little.