When to go into hospital?

[Nononon]

My contractions are 5 mins apart, the odd one has been less than that. They are lasting between about 45-50 seconds and are like bad period pains. Hospital is 30-40mins away. This is my second baby but I was induced with my first so being at home with contractions is a new experience for me.

I have phoned the hospital and they've said my contractions need to be longer before I go in. Keen to wait at home as long as possible but also nervous about leaving it too late.

It all seems a bit easy at the moment despite the frequency of the contractions. How should I feel before I go in?

Hmm...tricky one. That's quite close together. But I have to say by the time I went to the hospital the pain was much more intense than period pains, it had got to the point where I had to stop what I was doing and really breathe through the pain and grip a hand / get onto all fours etc.

Having said that I think I left it a bit late to go as I was fully dilated when I arrived and at needing to push immediately it was all a bit panicky.

Maybe call the hospital again in a little while and mention how far you need to travel? We were only 15 minutes away.

Have you had a bloody show yet?

How exciting good luck!

Aww best of luck!! I remember with my first they said wait until they're 1-3 minutes apart but I couldn't bare it and we drove there. About the same distance as yours and I was 4cm by the time we got there

I've always understood three minutes apart is the time to get moving to hospital as the journey often slows things down so you need to be established. I'd hold on until I got really uncomfortable and struggling.

I was still 4 or 5 mins apart when I went to the hospital because the pain had got so intense
And then it turned out I was fully dilated..so these things don't always go exactly to plan!

Thanks for your replies. I had a show earlier (well brown mucas) - again new to me after being induced last time. They're now 3 minutes apart but seem less intense and are lasting 30ish seconds.

Please go in.

I was having 5min ctxns with my second and rang labour ward who said to pop up. Arrived at 8.30am and baby was here 10.22am.

Please.go in!

Secnd babies usually come quick!

Did you tell them you'd had the discharge when you called? They may want you to come in

Yes the lady I spoke to was very calm.

I feel like it's dying off now annoyingly. Contractions more spread out and less intense. Grrrrrr what's going on!!?

Any arrival yet???

Yes I had my baby the morning of the 15th. Went into hospital at 1am in the end but it was still another 9 hours before baby finally arrived. Great natural labour though with no intervention unlike my first experience

Congrats :)