When to go into hopsital when in labour for a "high risk" VBAC?

[iwantitnow]

I have a section booked for a weeks time, however had 24 hours of period type pains (plus loose stools) this weekend and they stopped at 6.30am today and now have started again. Hadn't thought I could go into labour, hospital have classified me as high risk VBAC- same problems as DD this baby has a very large head, small/mishapen pelvis, pre-eclampsia may be brewing, low waters after a leak at 32 weeks etc...

I've avoided calling the hospital as I know they would want me in and I don't want to leave my DD unnecessarily - I've been in and out of hospital for the last 2 months. Contractions not regular yet, would be tempted to leave it until pain unbearable but I've never been in labour before.

Hi Iwantitnow. If this is labour would you want to try and VBAC or would you want to go straight to C-sec ? If the former then I would leave it longer. If you want a c-sec regardless I'd be inclined to call sooner rather than later.

I would go in now tbh; things can speed up remarkably quickly and frankly you don't want to have a huigh risk baby in the car on the way there.

High risk means care needs to be taken. I understand not wanting to leave DD (truly I do, had to fight for a HB with ds4 for same reason) but dd wants you and baby safe.

I would have a VBAC if it all progresses well. I am not sure I am in labour yet - early labour can take a while, especially as essentially this is the first time as I was induced with DD.

This sounds daft but how do I know they are contractions, they just feel like period pains coming and going!

how long does the pain last - can you tell when it starts and when it stops or is it more background and you just notice it occasionally?

How frequent are they? Can you still talk throught them? And how far from the hospital are you?

If you're close, and can get there easily, I'd be inclined to stay put a little while longer but be ready to go. But if it's a trek, I'd consider going now.

My waters broke before my contractions started with ds - he was a VBAC though not high risk. I rang the hospital when my contractions were every 3 minutes and they told me to come in. They were strong - I had to stop what I was doing and concentrate. Prior to that I'd been able to talk through them.

Very exciting, good luck.

Iwantitnow, apparently you can try having a bath, & if they go away they are not the real deal - if contractions keep coming, it's probably the start of something. Best of luck x