How do you know when to go to the hospital?

I know they tell you when the contractions are 5 min. apart. But are the contractions so bad at that point your doubled ove rin pain or are they just bad period like cramps? When I watch A Baby Story it seems like the women go in there with cramping but nothing horrible and it is only towards they end they are in a lot of pain.

Re: How do you know when to go to the hospital?

I was induced so I can't really tell you. But since you've had bloody show, if you feel you are contracting regulalry you can go to the hospital and set you up to a monitor. In a worst case scenario, they'll send you home. Have you tried drinking water? Sometimes they're kind of like false labor pains and drinking water, or even taking a shower, will make them go away.

Re: How do you know when to go to the hospital?

It's when your contractions are for one minute each- every five minutes- for 1 hour straight.
I remember at the end of my 1st pregnancy counting-and I got to like 45 minutes straight, and then they stopped!

you will start to see a pattern-for me it was like gas pains rolling in my stomach-
not how I expected it to feel like-
I thought it would be more like period cramps, but it wasnt.
I felt it not only in my stomach, but also in my back & thighs.
At first its tolerable and youre like "oh-ok, that wasnt pleasant",
but then the contractions become increasingly longer, stronger, and closer together-and towards the end I was doubled over. I specifically remember waiting as long as I could at home(only bc I lived 5 min from the hospital!) till I couldnt tolerate it and I was bent over bc I didnt want the hospital to send me home!
OMG good luck!!!

Message edited 3/31/2007 8:21:16 PM.

Re: How do you know when to go to the hospital?

Mine are a mix of period like cramps and gas pains. They are happening pretty much every 10 min. plus I keep feeling like i have to go to the bathroom (sorry if tmi) and the stupid random dr that is on call for my office still hasnt called me back after I have called him twice.

Re: How do you know when to go to the hospital?

Re: How do you know when to go to the hospital?

Re: How do you know when to go to the hospital?

oh Im so excited for you!!!

Yea-Drs do that-theyre so used to those calls unfortunately...THeyre just going to tell you to wait till its every 5 minutes (i think?!!) for an hour straight, I remember feeling like I was "bothering" my doc bc I kept calling, I hated that they werent calling back, its so scary not knowing what to expect!!!

Re: How do you know when to go to the hospital?

Do you have privacy block on your phone? Meaning you won't allow private numbers to call in without being identified on your caller id?

If so, turn it off, or leave your cell number.

I know my doc's wont' call from their own cell phone or home phone if they have to identify their number on caller id.

Re: How do you know when to go to the hospital?

I also read your post about none of your Drs being on call....dont worry...youre mostly dealing with the nurses thruout the labor part-for both of my Pg's the doctors finally made an appearance at the last minute when I delivered, and I heard that was very common.
also the having to go to the bathroom part is a sure sign! youre getting there!

Re: How do you know when to go to the hospital?

Go in when the contractions become unbearable.

Re: How do you know when to go to the hospital?

I would say the majority of the women jump the gun & show up at the hospital sooner than anticipated.

I showed up with them every 10 minutes apart during my first pregnancy but they wanted me to come in asap since I was 6 weeks early.

Second pregnancy, we left the house with them 2 minutes apart. I don't suggest waiting that long.

I think when they're regular & about 5-10 minutes apart, you're good to go.

I agree with the others, definitely sounds like labor to me!

Re: How do you know when to go to the hospital?

I woke up and they were 5 minutes apart from the moment I woke up. Not unbearable at that point but I called and they told me to come in.

Re: How do you know when to go to the hospital?

I went to the hospital when I was doubled over in pain.

I began having contractions around 10pm I guess. Those were the "period-type" cramps and were around 10 minutes apart.

I called the doctor around 1am when the pain turned pretty bad and the contractions were 5 minutes apart. She told me to get on my way!

Re: How do you know when to go to the hospital?

When mine were 4 minutes apart I couldn't talk at all! The only thing I could do was concentrate on breathing. I was actually on the phone with my Dr. and I told her what was going on and I happened to have a contraction and she said to go. I was going to go anyway because I knew it was the real deal. I started contracting at 10am and at 12:30am that night we went to the hospital. I was admitted at 1am and at 5am I had DS

Re: How do you know when to go to the hospital?

DW had easy signs both times.... with DS, her water broke at home.... pretty good sign that it's time to go to the hospital (she had no noticeable cramps at the time). With DD, we went to the hospital when our appointment was (scheduled C).

Re: How do you know when to go to the hospital?

I initially went to the hospital when my contractions were irregular but really painful. They said that they would keep me and just give me pain medication. I decided to go home and the next day the contractions were more regular and I lost my mucus plug...my doctor told me to go the hospital and they kept me. Jacob was born 7 hours later!