Can anyone help? How long & frequent should contractions be before phoning the hospital?

[07mumstheword]

can anyone help ? I've been getting period type pains all day and they have become more persistant and sometimes more painful.
Last labour was a bit like this for the daytime then at 6-7pm waters broke and DD was born 10.38.
I've forgotten what contractions are like and what they should be like before phoning the hospital? (I was admitted to hospital with pre-eclampsia last time so constantly monitored) Is there a rule of thumb with regards to how often and how long they should be?
Also it feels like they are pushing into my bowels too so is that another sign?

I phoned when mine were 6 minutes to let them know. I then phoned when they were about 4 minutes and getting worse as we had a 30 minute drive to the hospital.

Time them for a while and see if there is a pattern or if they get closer together. Also, if they are real contractions you will know. Good luck x

Trust your instincts too, if you feel things are moving, they may well be. Do you have someone with you?

Hmmm, I can't remember a rule of thumb though 5 mins apart rings a bell.

However, more important than that is how you are getting on I think. So if they are getting stronger and more frequent and you are beginning to feel like you could do with the support of a midwife, give them a ring.

If you are 'just' () niggling with aches and pains then I would take paracetemol, try and relax at home and maybe go for a very short walk.

oh and oooooh exciting for you! Good LUCK!

Yes DH is home. Just don't know what to think at the mo instincts confused

For a planned home birth in Holland I was told to call when they were 3 minutes apart and about a minute long, so 5 mins is probably about right.

It would probably be best to just cuddle up with DH and relax, or even get some sleep if you can.

I'm really excited for you

I'm sure this is just the niggly start of labour, but I should say, if you start to get pressure in your undercarriage call them straight away, regardless of how the contractions feel.

www.contractionmaster.com/

Use this and tell us what it says after 6 contractions

Regular is wot you're after. 2nd births can be quick!

I've been using that for an hour or so but I can't link the results so they are as follows:

Duration Freq
2 mins 42 2 mins 5
29 secs 14 mins 57
2 mins 3 mins 14
1 min 22 9 mins 23
1 min 34 6 mins 46
1 min 52 15 mins 51

What do you think? As you can see there is no real pattern and quite infrequent. When there is no pain I feel I'm over reacting and not serious but then one hits and brings tears to my eyes and I think this is it. First labour was only 4 hours so scared of missing vital signs in time.

The contractions seem to be quite long but are irrgular like you say.

Is there any way you can get the midwife to pop round to check you over? That would put your mind at rest, I'm sure. I'm not up to speed on how things work in the UK so sorry if that's not how it works!.

Dejavous I had a check up with MW this morning and all was fine, she said babies head is really low down and I could be in early labour I have another MW appt tomorrow morning (keeping a close eye on me cos of pre-eclampsia last time) so if I can hang on until then I will get her to examin me.

Oh, I didn't mean because I thought there might be something wrong I meant to see if / how far you are dilated!

Yeah I'll see tomorrow if I've dilated but phone the hospital if I can't wait that long I'm tired now so think I'll try to get some rest and go off to bed. Thanks for all your help.

Sounds like a good plan!

The system is obviously different to here, it's normal for them to come for that which is why I suggested it.

Sounds like you'll be meeting your baby soon! Here's to a good labour

with DS3 my contractions weren't at regular intervals, and weren't regular lengths either - anything from one on top of the other (literally) to 2/3 minutes apart - right up until I was ready to push, longest was about 50 seconds, average 40 seconds! Having never been into labour on my own before (CS without any labour with DS1, and induced for DS2) I didn't believe it was really "it".

Good luck

Thanks for your help

I've posted my birth story in the birth announcements for any of you who are interested.