Contractions - do they need to be painful to call hospital?

[BexusSugarush]

I'm 38+ weeks and have been having irregular and painless but very strong contractions for about a week now, that have gotten steadily stronger. My waters haven't broken and no show yet, but the contractions have started coming with severe period-like cramps and backache since this morning.

They're usually irregular but the past half hour has seen one contraction every few minutes. They're still not bite-my-lip painful but are getting steadily worse.

My question is as above; even though they aren't too painful, has anyone ever been admitted into hospital with something like this? I don't want to waste time going there only to be sent home immediately.

I would definitely call the ward and see what they suggest. Exciting times!

I've had 4, if that makes me at all qualified.
I vote go, tbh, go while it's still easy to get there and not in a panic.

Then Basically, They will only admit you if A) you're fairly dilated, at least 3cm or B) fetus shows signs of distress.

Some people don't have very painful labours, though.

ps: but keep sending updates from hospital if you can :).

Call them

It sounds like something starting but could be a good while yet (and could stop completely and start up tomorrow )

What "every few minutes "? 5? 15?

oh that's right, I forget people use 'few' to mean numbers like 45!
I was assuming no more than 3-4 minutes.

Oh, to follow on from Trout. I've had three. Going in too early was a massive mistake with DD1

Cross post again. If 3 minutes yes, go get checked out!

Last time I was told 3 contractions in 10 minutes was the trigger to call...

Thank you all for the quick replies! By few minutes I meant every 3-4 minutes, and annoyingly enough the contractions are now getting further apart.

I was always given the impression that unless they're painful, you're likely no where near ready enough for hospital.

I definitely feel like things are snowballing though, which is nice; would love to have baby here for Christmas!

You can have patches of contractions that come and go for days (annoyingly ).

If they aren't painful then I'd get to bed in case it kicks off in the night.

ha! You know this can go on for a week or 2 more, don't you?

What a pain. I'd be on the by now if I were you.

Where I am it's 3 contractions within 10 mins for your first baby. I think for an hour. They won't take you until you're 4cm here. Mine were pretty clock work.

Pain is pretty subjective!

Second baby they told me 2 in 10 mins but mine never got regular at any stage during the labour.

My contractions were not painful until after I was at hospital (I had a baby an hour or two later). First baby.

To be honest I would go in.
Is baby moving away?

(stamping feet we want an update)

Sorry for the wait! I had a midwife appointment today so wanted to get her opinion, as I've had quite a few actually painful contractions since this post started.

The good news is that baby is fully engaged, in a perfect birthing position and my midwife thinks the contractions are the start of labour! She said she'd be amazed if I still needed my 40 week appointment! So exciting!

I did ask her to check whether or not I was dilating but she told me they're not allowed until 40 weeks. But she seems confident that this is the start of things!

Exciting!

Just do take timing predictions with a pinch of salt. My mw was convinced I'd have DC3 at 38 weeks. He was a shade under 42! Hopefully that won't be you, but it can be emotionally tough if you've convinced yourself you won't go over and you do.

I don't have painful labours until I am pushing, so routinely the midwives don't believe how far along I am when I say I am in labour. Last time (DC4), they only believed me because I announced I could feel the baby's head!