OK - so am having contractions, but how do I know when I am getting dialted?

[EllieG]

MW said not to come in til about 2/3 cm dialated and it was 'all hotting up' - but how do I know when this is?

Contractions feel really sore now - between 4-6 mins apart and over a minute in length.

ooh, don't know how you're meant to know. I was told to ring when my contractions were 1-2 minutes apart and lasting at least a minute. did so, was told to take a bath and then come in. Did so and I was 5cm dilated. I was quite laidback however as it was my second baby.

Sorry not much help but I would ring your unit - they can tell a lot by the tone of your voice etc. Best of luck!

Really need some help on this! It hurts! But I don't want to be a wuss....

x-post there staranise - thanks for advice. I think I will try another bath (have had 2 already this evening)

You're not a wuss, you're in labour. definitely ring your maternity unit!

if it hurts a lot I would go in, get some drugs girl!!

Have a bath, take a couple of paracetamol, and make sure you keep taking at regular intervals to build up its effectiveness.

From a very personal POV, I would have liked to stay at home for as long as possible rather than rush in and have to wait around A LOT for things to happen. Home environment is more relaxing, home comforts etc.

Unless of course you are worried.

Good luck

Ring maternity, apparently midwives can tell over the phone the severity of contractions, if you have one while you're talking to them, that's what mine told me anyway! Don't try and sound brave though!

don't rely on the "contractions lasting over 1 minute" either, with DS3 (the only time I've gone into labour on my own) my contractions NEVER last more than about 45 seconds.

I rang maternity about 2 hours ago - don't want to keep bothering them, it's just this is my first time and I don't know what am doing!

Can't take any more paracetamol for a bit, and they ain't doing much anyway.

Might ring them back anyway just encase. I might want some lovely strong drugs soon. Am not at all convinced about this natural labour malarky, now it comes to it.

You need to phone them if the contractions are 4-6 minutes apart. Tell them you are on your way, get everything ready.

Ah, well, if you want the drugs....

Seriously though - it'll happen in it's own good time, and the very best you can do is relax. If you'd feel more comfortable going in to hospital, then go along.

Your body will crack on and do what it needs to do whatever you decide is best/most comfortable for you.

Don't worry that you are 'bothering' people - it's what they are there for.

I think a gap of 2 hours between calls is perfectly acceptable, God, I bet some women ring every 5 minutes. Just set your mind at rest!

Arn't you supposto go in at 10 mins apart?

I was told to go when they are painful, at least a minute in length and 1-2 mins apart.

They induced me, 0-60 in 30 minutes. Had a few false starts, this is what they said, 10 mins or unbearable pain. No?

oh poor ellie! We are probably all confusing her!!!

well actually one mw said 1-2 mins, one said 3-4 which was a bit confusing!! didn't matter in the end anyway cos i was induced.

sorry. I'm off to bed. I hope it's all ok.

oh how exciting. good luck