Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

I'm in labour - when do I phone the labour ward?

61 replies

Metrobaby · 21/04/2004 09:27

This is my 2nd pg, and I'm having contractions today and it hurts I've been having them since 2am this morning they are every 10 mins or so - haven't changed since - except that they are lasting longer and more painful. I don't want to go into hospital too early, but when should I phone the labour ward to go in? I'm scared too.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
LIZS · 21/04/2004 09:52

ooh this is exciting. Sounds like you are coping well. Good luck!

kiwisbird · 21/04/2004 09:51

I toddled in when 3 mins apart and they were making me lean onto the wall and swear a little bit, had dd 35 mins after arriving, super effort all in all. Good luck! How exciting!

motherinferior · 21/04/2004 09:47

OOOOOOO good luck!

mears · 21/04/2004 09:40

Bloos stained show is fine. Only need to worry if you are passing blood on it's own, like a period. Show can have lots of blood in it but is mixed with mucus.

Try the bath Metro, even if you have had one already. Make sure you eat something too. Since hospital is only 20 mins away, wait till contractions are every 5 minutes. If your waters break and the water is coloured green you will need to go in otherwise stay in your own surroundings for as long as you can.

mears · 21/04/2004 09:36

I need to go just now so if the answers to my questions are that the pregnancy has been fine and that the hospital isn't too far away then you can stay at home till the contractions are 5-10 mins apart and stopping you in your tracks. By that I mean that you have to stop what you are doing and breathe through them.
Phone the labour ward for advice - they will only advise you to come in if need be. They don't want you there too early either!

Try a bath and 2 paracetamol - if the contractions ease off then you are not yet in established labour. Good luck

Original poster
Metrobaby · 21/04/2004 09:36

hospital is about 20 min drive away. I have Dh with me so am OK. My 1st pg was a very long and drawn out affair hence my reluctance to go in too soon. Also with my 1st pg I was stuck on 10 min contractions for hours and was about to be sent home when the mw checked me and found that I had dilated 5cm. I've also had a show which has been going on for the last couple of days but since the contractions they have been a bit blood stained. is it anything to worry about?

OP posts:
morocco · 21/04/2004 09:34

how exciting metrobaby
is mumsnet helping to distract you? I went in once I spent more time walking around during contractions than surfing on the net if that's useful advice at all - gave me about an hour in the hospital before ds arrived
lots and lots of love to you and newbie

wobblyknicks · 21/04/2004 09:30

ooohh - congrats metro!! and good luck!!

I'd phone now and see what they say. With my dd, though she was my first not second, I phoned up when the contractions were 10 mins apart because they were so painful and I ended up going in about 12 hours before I gave birth and then I slept most of the day in hospital.

Don't worry though - I'm sure things will be fine, just phone to put your mind at ease.

Angeliz · 21/04/2004 09:29

OOh, how exciting! (and painful )

I'd give them a call and see what they say. I'm sure they won't rush you in anyway!

Good luck+++++++++++++++++++++++++

mears · 21/04/2004 09:28

How far away is the hospital?

Has your pregnancy been problem free?

Have your waters broken?

Is someone with you?

twiglett · 21/04/2004 09:28

message withdrawn