3rd trimester ladies

What guidleine sdid your doctor give you as far as when to call or go to the hospital? Like how many minutes are the contractions supposed to be and how many minutes apart?

Re: 3rd trimester ladies

I have a 38 week appointment in an hour and I'm going to go over all that with her. Because I don't plan on going there immediately. I want to wait untill the last moment to go.

Re: 3rd trimester ladies

Hmm...I should really look into this I guess. I have my first internal on Weds, I'll be 36 weeks, maybe he'll go over it then.

Re: 3rd trimester ladies

Contractions less then 5 minutes apart and over a minute each....

I plan on waiting till they are about 3 minutes apart though..

Contractions at 5 minutes apart could be nothing ...

UNLESS my water breaks, then off I go...

Re: 3rd trimester ladies

How far are you from the hospital? Do you have any complications that they might want you in sooner? Otherwise I think the norm is 3-5 mins between contractions.

I am delivering at Columbia and depending on traffic that could be a 1-2 hour trip. I also have excess fluid and a baby with a possible condition so I am supposed to go immediately if my water breaks (I have excess fluid and was told I won't probably make it to 36 or 37 weeks- I am 34 now). Otherwise I am to call when I am having contractions about 7 mins apart. Since they would rather have me come in early than too late.

Re: 3rd trimester ladies

Re: 3rd trimester ladies

At least 5 mins apart for at least an hour or two.

Re: 3rd trimester ladies

I think decided when you are going to go to the hospital is something that is hard to determine. If you are a first time mom you may just want to go as soon as you start feeling pain.. just to make sure everything is ok..etc. Then again..you may have no choice but to go because if your water breaks they will more than likely have you come in. If you can hold out..then GREAT for you. This is going to be my 2nd child..and I have a feeling although I know they will want to see me at 3 minutes apart, my behind will be in there earlier..because I have NO tolerance for pain.. Also it's been 16 years since I've gone through this....
and I have NO idea what I'm in for this time around.

Good luck to all of us!!

Message edited 5/21/2007 2:09:28 PM.

Re: 3rd trimester ladies

The nurses in L&D gave me this guideline:

If any of the following occur, call your doctor and prepare to come to L & D:

- Contractions at about 5 minutes apart, for at least a minute in length for at least an hour

- if you lose your bag of waters

- if you bleed in the same way as a period

- If you have any physical symptoms that might be dangerous to you or your baby. (OK I know this one is vague, but when I asked she said anything like out of control heart palpitations, severe & uncontrollable vomiting or diarrhea, severe dizziness or blurred vision that is not corrected when you sit or eat something, etc).

Re: 3rd trimester ladies

my doctor told me 2-3 minutes last time.

I will say that I never got there before calling - i knew to call because of intensity. If you can't talk through them - you need to call.

Re: 3rd trimester ladies

In lamaze they told us 4-1-1

4 minutes apart
lasting 1 minute
for at least an hour

Re: 3rd trimester ladies

OK.. just got back and the doctor told me:

Call if -
Water breaks
Period like bleeding
Contractions are 2-3 minutes apart
(they want us 1st timers to stay home for the most part)

Of course, call anytime to feel better

Re: 3rd trimester ladies

My dr. told me with my first to call when they 4 minutes apart lasting 1 minute and stay that way for 1 hour. When I called her and they were like that I couldn't talk durning the contractions and that is a definite sign to go the hospital. If you can talk your not ready.

With my second now, she hasn't gone over how it works just that it goes faster.

Re: 3rd trimester ladies

I plan to call (and leave) right away, but I have a history of rapid labor...and with my first, the contractions began 5 minutes apart.
I would say call once you know you are in labor for sure and then update the dr. when they reach the 5 min. mark or whatever s/he requests you do.