Labour with second baby - when to call

[39weekswithno2]

My midwife told me to call the hospital when I’ve been having 3 contractions in every 10 minutes for 1 hour lasting around 40 seconds.

She said they expect second babies to arrive quicker.

3 contractions in 10 minutes would only be 3-4 minutes apart.

With my first I was told to call when they were 5 minutes apart for around 1 hour and lasting around 1 minute each.

Do you think she meant to say 2 contractions in 10 minutes?

What have you all been told for second (or subsequent) babies?

With both they said 3 contractions in 10 minutes. My second was definitely not quicker!

IME 3 contractions in 10 mins is the standard advice (rather than 2 in 10 mins). But you can always call a bit sooner if you're worried for any reason. How long does it take you to get to the hospital?

Btw my second was a lot quicker!

I think 3 in 10 mins is a bit close for baby 2 if you are talking about contractions you can’t talk through. Dc1’s birth was a two day event. Dc2 was under 4hours from first twinge to first cuddle. It will depend though on distance to the hospital etc.

Maybe the 5 minute advice was wrong the first time then?

Hospital between 30-45 minutes away depending on traffic, would also have to wait for MIL to arrive for DS, she's 15 minute drive away (if she's ready to go obviously)

If I’d phoned when they were 5 mins apart with DC2 I would have called several times before I was actually in labour as my latent phase went on for days. But I knew they weren’t quite strong or regular enough. Be guided by how you feel.

I definitely don't want to arrive to early and risk getting sent home to labour longer with in laws in the house or labour in the hospital with DH waiting in car park as he's not allowed in until I'm in established labour.
When the time comes I'll try to hold off for as long as possible, tens machine at the ready!

In a similar position OP. Midwife said not to go to the hospital when waters break just call them to let them know? And also not to go until contractions are regular? She said they don't want women separated from their partners for too long but that doesn't bother me too much, I know we will be eventually. We live an hour away from the maternity and I'm adamant I want an epidural so I'll be going at the first sign. I would be doing what feels right for you, they will hardly turn you away if one or the other happens. Best of luck x

@onetime10 they could well turn you away tbh. With my first I went in when I'd been having contractions for 12 hours, they'd been around 5 minutes apart for about 2 hours. Because I was having a back to back labour I'd only progressed to 3cm so they sent us home, this was 2016. I went back 2 hours later after my waters had broken, baby wasn't engaged and I was worried about cord prolapse (also in a lot of pain).
I was shown to a bathroom with a large bath and left to labour with just DH for hours. Finally taken to labour suite at 8cm.
I'd have been better staying at home til 8cm.... it's just hard to judge especially as this baby is in a better position so could potentially come a lot quicker. My friend gave birth to her second at home after leaving it too long.

Just to add, I have been asked to go in when contractions get to two in 10mins because I am having another VBAC so it can depend upon any medical conditions.

I haven't been given any guidance (39 weeks tomorrow). I will call them as and when contractions start or waters break and see what they say but DS1 came fairly quickly so I'll probably go in sooner rather than later and risk being sent home. Baby is currently back to back and also not engaged and midwife mentioned about cord prolapse which has scared me so I want to make sure there's no issues with me being at a MLU before things get too far along.