When to go to labour ward when expecting DC2?

[NotAnotherNewNappy]

I remember with DD1, the midwives spent a lot of time during our antenatal classes warning how long it was likely to take and that we shouldn't got to hospital too soon. Several of my friends went to the labour ward as only to be told to go home again.

However, my first labour only lasted 10hrs and, looking at the times of my contractions, I'm sure going into hospital slowed things down a little bit. I had to ham it up a little on the phone to the hospital before they told me to come in.

I'm starting to get worried that I might mistime things with DC2 and either turn up too early or have an unplanned homebirth. In the words of Whitney Houston, "How will I know??" and it is easier gaining access to the labour ward when they know it's your second?

With DD (first child) I had contractions 2 mins apart for hours and went in thinking this must be it. Was not even dilated even a tiny bit even after 5 hours of 2 mins apart strong contractions. I was told by the MW to come back when the contractions are so bad that you find it difficult to speak during them, she said if I stayed the doctors would want to speed things along medically. Waited till couldn't speak and went in again and was in active labour, so guess she was right.

I was told the same thing with both births: come in when contractions are roughly every 2 mins. Neither time did I have to convince the staff that I needed to come in. Difference was that when I went in (in established labour) for the first birth it was another 12 hours before the baby made an appearance whereas DC2 was lucky not to have been born in the car park .

Good luck. I'm sure you'll be fine.

I'm worried about this too. My midwife said not to leave it as long this time so I plan to try and get in sooner. She said tell them it is your second. They try to put you off coming in at my hospital. I hope I can time it right.