Contractions

[DMMMJ]

Currently 41+9 with DC3. Had my 5th sweep yesterday morning, it was a very thorough one roll on 6:30pm last night and what I feel like contractions started happening.

Started timing them and roughly lasting just under 1 min 6 min apart. No sign of waters breaking, I came to bed around 10pm dozed off around 11 ish and have now woken up with what felt like 4 contractions in a row (think i kept dozing between them) I've sat and timed them again and average duration is 52 seconds, average frequency is 6 mins 34.

Should I hold off heading to the hospital at the moment?

DC1 was an induction and DC2 I was 2 cms dilated when I went to hospital at 42 weeks so they broke my waters and kept me in as I went in to active labour.

So I've never really done this stay at home and count your contractions, I thought once your waters went then contractions started but after googling it appears that may not be correct?

Don't want to head away to the hospital if they are just going to send me away again until waters break.

No, you're not waiting for your waters to break as that can happen any time. Your contractions need to be less than 5 minutes apart I think. But yes go in if they do break.

You can always phone the hospital and a midwife will assess your situation and advise. They would rather you do that before making a potentially unnecessary journey.

Good luck!

Before having kids I always thought waters went first but both times they've had to break them when I was in labour

Ideally the midwives want 3 contractions in 10 mins and lasting a minute each but I would call and speak to a midwife to see what they think. Especially as this is your third baby - the active labour stage tends to be shorter each time too!

@LunchAtTeatime thank you for your response, I'm just trying to hold off from wakening everyone up as my mum will need to come down for DC1 and DC2 so was waiting to see what was happening but the pains are really intense. So think I will call and just see what they say, in 2 minds wether to try a bath first or not.

@febbabies2023 see this is what I thought also and due to having waters broke previously I've never experienced it so hence the googling and mumsnet post. I thought this too but obv with it being my 3rd I'm scared I wait too long and baby starts coming but really don't want to have to wake everyone up to head to the hospital to be told to go home. I was 4 hours with DC2 but these contractions have been going on since half 6 so that's been 8 hours so far.

Maybe call them first before waking everyone and see what they say? If you can't sleep because of them it's worth a go and they may want you to come in
Good luck though!

My waters went about 5 mins before my daughter was born.

@febbabies2023 thank you, I feel like a complete amature and not even sure what to say to them lol 🙈.

@Hatscats oh god really, see this is my other worry I'm scared I'm holding off for something to happen that might not happen until its too late.

Would you recommend a warm bath to see first or just call them and see what they say? I feel OK when the contractions ain't happening but when they do it is toe curling. I know everyone's pain threshold is different but I thought I had this labour in the bag after DC2 I felt like it was a breeze haha.

It's a third baby, so waiting for 3 contractions in 10 min may be too late, depending on how long your previous births were and how far you live from the hospital. Generally you shouldn't wait at home as long as with a first baby.

@teezletangler first was 9 hours 10 mins, second was 4 hours.

Cant help unfortunately all 4 of mine home births and our last twins came so quickly waters broke when they were born. Never had to time contractions as all 4 happened fairly quickly for me. Have yourself a warm bath and give the hosp a call of your worried.Good luck for your new up coming arrival :)

I'd go in, given you are 41 weeks plus, it is imminent, and your first and second labours don't seem slow. My second was nearly born in the corridor to maternity ward, I was 41 and I didn't really recognise the signs (I know this sounds ridiculous, but at first I thought I had ate something that disagreed as I had tummy ache, then I had a hot bath while my OH called my parents, but I had to get out of it because the pains were becoming regular, buy with no pain between) and by the time we got to hospital they were every minute or at best two, I was 9cm dilated by the time I hopped up onto the hospital bed. I would not think about the waters thing, mine never went until just about to give birth, and in two cases, were broken for me anyway. Go, call people, they won't mind xx

Thanks for all your experiences. I called triage at 3:20 got ready headed to the hospital at 5:15 and baby was born 6:32, waters went with a push and baby came 2 seconds after so glad I never waited until waters 🫣

That's wonderful, Congratulations! 🌻

Congratulations! Perfect timing

Congratulations op! I bet you're glad you called now. Enjoy the baby bubble 🥰

Thank you 👶

@febbabies2023 yes I'm so so glad, I literally walked through the hospital doors pushing. The baby bubble is the best definitely worth all the pain

@DMMMJ at least you didn't have to wait long! We're 11 weeks in with baby no2 now and still enjoying it! Hope your other children love meeting their new sibling 🥺