Question about "early labor"

My SIL is in early labor and the doctor sent her home 2x from the hospital. He said since she is only 37 weeks along and 2 cm dialated, that she did not need to be admitted (they said they will only admit her when she reaches 4 cm)

She is having steady contractions though. He told her to come back when she was ahving contractions that she could not talk through - isn't this late in the game?...is this normal operating procedure?

I was induced so I have no idea...

tia

Re: Question about "early labor"

Every doctor is different but that sounds about right to me. It's really a result of insurance companies not wanting women there any longer then they have to be. My doctor's rule of thumb is the contractions have to be about 4-5 minutes about for an hour before I should head to the hospital.

When you say steady contractions, what do you mean? How far apart are they and is she getting them regularly?

Re: Question about "early labor"

I went 5 days early, went into hospital with steady contractions and was told only 2cm, go home...come back when u cant talk through them. They also said most likely we wont see u till the following evening...little did they know I was back 3 hrs later, full dialted.

on another note, my SIL was 2cm for two wks and was getting contractions but I believe they were braxton kics-false labor.

So HTH, it can go both ways.

Re: Question about "early labor"

Re: Question about "early labor"

Im pretty sure thats normal

Shouldnt be too much longer

Re: Question about "early labor"

That is a little surprising then because those are some pretty real contractions. I was admitted when I was 3 cm dilated but like I said every doctor is different.

Re: Question about "early labor"

No, that's pretty standard. Honestly, you don't want to be admitted too early -- better to be admitted when you're 5cm, than when you're 2 cm.

Most first time labors are pretty long. She should have plenty of time. My midwife told me to call after I had been having contractions 5min apart for over an hour.

Re: Question about "early labor"

Re: Question about "early labor"

My doctor told me that my contractions have to be 45 seconds long, 5 minutes apart for two hours before I should call them.