When should I call the doctor...?

Question

I'm 7 months pregnant so I know it's a bit early for me to go into labor. This is my first pregnancy though and I've been reading up on the three stages of labor so I'm thinking I should go to the hospital during the active phase. I've heard of peole going though and getting sent back home. What is everything that has to happen before I really need to go? Is it if and when my water breaks, when the contractions get unbearable? Or what? How did you know when to go/call? Thanks for the answers! I'm really nervous if you can't tell :-)

28 wks & 1 day pregnant w/ my baby boy

Answer 1

My doctor told me to wait until the contractions were 3-5 minutes apart and lasting a full minute before coming in with my first. My water broke with my second and if that happens they will admit you right away. Contractions feel like your stomach is getting so tight, you may feel pain in your back and lower abs. Just make sure you have someone timing them to see how far apart they are and how long they are lasting. I went in 3 times with my first because I was scared and they were all very nice about it so if you just don't know what to do-then GO, just to be safe. Good Luck and congrats!

Answer 2

When your water breaks thats a good sign that your nearly going to have a baby. Im not a doctor and every women goes through different process sometimes with each child they have.

The contractions will introduce themselves loud and clear and you will use your own instinct and know immediately. If you are uncomfortable and want to be around doctors/nurses then go immediately to the hospital.

If you are confident to hang out at home for a bit then when the contractions, are 8 minutes apart and the hospital is within your city and the drive is short then that would be a good indication time wise.

HAving people with you that you love and make you feel relaxed helps....if its your first baby, try not to have alot of people around because your body inadvertently will be stressed and labour time could end up going into the double digits.....this could tire you out........

Anyway, you will know your own body and be the best judge of what you want to do..........I asked the same question and knew immediately when I was ready.

I started labour pains during the night 15 minutes apart for 9 hours and only the last 10 hour did they move from 15 minutes to 10....
My water then broke and I went on my way to the hospital..
I arrived 8.30 a.m.and my daughter was born 9.30a.m.

Answer 3

if your water breaks, it is a given -- GO IN :) Usually you will not need to go until the contractions get pretty unbearable -- especially with your first. The more pregnancies you have the quicker a labor tends to go (not always, just usually) The first one takes the longest! When you are feeling uncomfortable then go in. At the worst you will be there a lot longer than you want to be. But on the flip side, they can help make you more comfortable. I went into labor very early mornings with 2 -- 6am wake up call -- I felt sick, took a hot shower and BAM contractions. Its so different for everyone. My water never broke on its own -- except with one and I was almost 10cm when it finally broke. :)

Answer 4

My water broke, I had to go because my husband was freaking out- I wanted to labor as much as possible at home. Instead I labored two days in the hospital.

Generally its when you're contractions are three minutes apart for over 30 minutes, (the start of one contraction to the start of another, not the end of one to the start of the next), or if your water breaks.

Its pretty safe advice to try to labor what you can at home, its easier and less stressful. Obviously this doesnt apply if you're a high risk pregnancy, you have toxemia, are strep positive, or have a history of fast labors in the family.

Answer 5

Go no matter what if your water breaks. Otherwise, if contractions are 5 minutes apart regularly. I hear a godd way to tell if you're having false labor is if walking helps to ease the pain of contractions. Walking will not help true labor. Good luck!

Answer 6

You should go for any of these reasons:

1. Contractions are less than 5 min apart and are not going away with rest.
2. Contractions are painful enough that it is very difficult to talk when you're having one.
3. Your membranes (waters) rupture or start to leak

Answer 7

When your water breaks, you NEED to go in as soon as possible. If you are having very strong contractions, you need to go in. Anything that causes you concern is a reason to go in...this is your life and your baby's life, they understand when people have false alarms and I'm pretty sure there's at least one in every pregnancy! Your doctor only wants what's best for you and that little baby! Good luck and congrats!

Answer 8

Well when you need to go to the docters is if your contractions are a few minutes apart or if your water breaks, otherwise it is probally just back labor which feels a whole hell like birth labor, but if your ever really unsure i would just go to the docter...

Answer 9

Every doctor wants you to come in at different times. Talk to your ob.
Mine asked that I come in if I had ANY concern that I was going into labor, if my water broke, or if I was having contractions more frequent than every 7 minutes.

Answer 10

when you get strong contractions that hurt like hell and you time them exactly 5 mins or less apart you need to go in. if you are only having a few just drink a full glass of water and lay on your left side. i have 4 kids one is 3 months old today and that is what i have been told with all of mine