Contractions 7-8 mins apart but painful. When to call hospital?

[TickledOnion]

Hi, I'm 40+11 with DC2. Contractions started last night at 7pm. They are still 7-8 minutes apart but quite painful.

With DD1, they never got close together and I needed a drip, but she was back to back and this one isn't.

So, when do I call the hospital? Is it when they are a certain distance apart or when they get too painful?

[Notquitegrownup]

Our hospital used to say call when contractions are regular between 5 and 10 minutes apart. They won't mind a phone call, surely, even if just to check that you are OK and to ask you to call back later . . .

Best of luck

[Sausagesarenottheonlyfruit]

Call when they get too painful - 2nd labours can progress really fast! Good luck

[Sausagesarenottheonlyfruit]

Sorry i mean call soon to let them know you're going in today, then go to the ward when the contractions are almost too painful.

[BillyBollyBandy]

Lasting a minute when 5 minutes apart I think.

Although my contractions with dd2 just changed and I knew, had one last a minute and a half

I was having them 7/8 mins apart for ages before that though and they changed really quickly.

Keep timing! Don't nod off in the bath like I did and have your dh bursting in thinking you had drowned. Ahem.

[ghosteditor]

Hi! I'm expecting DC%231 and was told to try to avoid going in before I'm having three contractions in 10 mins (i.e at 0, 5, and 10) which implies 3-4 mins apart. But it wouldn't surprise me if advice is different for second DC, so you could do worse than calling delivery. They will at least know you're on the way today then even if they recommend staying at home for now. Good luck!

• ghost, 40+5

[TickledOnion]

Contractions are now getting less painful and further apart, though I have had a show.

I'm confused.

[BillyBollyBandy]

How are you now? They can stop and start a while before - not what you want to know I am sure. Things are obviously moving.

Are you booked in for an induction?

[zumm]

40+11?!? I assume next time you come on line, baby will be here? Pl let us know - hope it all went well!

[christmasholliday]

I suffer from IBS pain and have passed out and been sick due to IBS pain in the past. I'm worried that contractions will feel the same and I will pass out in early labour. Anyone else passed out due to pain in labour?

[MahnaMahna]

I'd call them now anyway. With DD I called when mine were 10mins apart (according to me). I was bleeding heavily so I had to go in and laboured for 30 hours in hospital. My birth plan went completely out of the window.

Anyway, when I got to the hospital and hooked up to the monitor, my contractions were actually 3 mins apart. I could only feel every third one though. It's always worth giving them a call, they wont mind :)