Labour - when to call hospital?

[CobaltRose96]

Hi all.

I'm currently 40+5 with my first child. I started getting mild contractions yesterday morning, but they stopped after an hour or so. At around lunchtime they started up again, and in the hours since they've definitely ramped up in intensity and frequency.

They are now coming between every 5.5 and 7.5 minutes, and last for a minute. I don't want to go to hospital only to be told I'm not in active labour and sent home, but nor do I want to leave it too late! The hospital is around a 20/25 minute drive away.

Should I call the hospital now?

Thanks

It can't hurt to give them the heads up!

Exciting - soon you'll be squishing your baby!

Give them a call, they’ll advise.

Good luck and congratulations!!!

How did you get on OP?

Thanks all. Rang hospital and was told ideally that contractions should be a little closer together and as I was still coping at home to stay put for a little longer.

Hows it going there nownow OP? are you progressing? How strong are your contractions now, hopefully keeping you too busy for updates!

Contractions are definitely intensifying but unfortunately still 6-7 minutes apart

Try to rest, sleep if you can, and let your body sort it out. Go to bed if you're not there, or sleep on the sofa. Keeping fingers crossed!

If you're in pain try a warm bath, it helped with the backache in early labour with me. And definitely try for some sleep, it could end up being a looooong day for you!

Good luck! Don't forget squishy baby pics when he/she arrives!

Thanks both. I did manage to drift off at about half 4 ish but when I woke up contractions had slowed to every 10 minutes. Since I've been up and walking again they've gone back up to every 6-7 minutes.

OP - I don't suppose you have a gym ball?? When I started with slow labour with my 2nd I spent a couple of hours sat on the gym ball circling my hips and I swear it made the labour easier and faster. I continued on one when I got to hospital as they had one in the delivery room and she was out within 3 pushes!

If you can't sleep I'd definitely recommend a sitting back on the loo type position, to get the head nicely pushed onto the cervix to help with the efacing.