Need advice

[Sunshine912]

I am 37 weeks pregnant and I went to the Dr yesterday. The Dr said my baby has dropped into position and I was 1 cm dialated.
I did not make a big deal out of it because I remember reading on this site that women can be at 1 cm for a couple of weeks.
Last night, I went to the restroom and I passed a thick red string of mucous. Sorry TMI. I knew I passed the mucous plug.
After that, I started having mild contractions every 30 minutes all night long. I woke up this morning and now they are down to every 15 minutes. I have two problems. The Dr told me not to call her if I think I am in Labor but to go to the hospital.
The other problem is the only hosptal that she will deliver at is an hour away from my house. I don't want to drive all the way to the hospital if I am not really in Labor. Does it sound like I am in labor? I need advice, what do I do? I am not in pain but it is uncomfortable.

[girlybuff]

It seems strange that the dr wouldn't want you to call him/her and just go to the hospital but here are a few tips....

• False Labor: Often irregular; not usually becoming closer together
• True Labor: Come regularly, usually 4-6 minutes apart and can become closer together. Usually last 30-70 seconds.

Strength of Contractions
• False Labor: Frequently weak; not getting stronger with time, or alternately, a strong contraction followed by weaker ones.
• True Labor: Become stronger with time. You may also feel vaginal pressure

Pain with Contractions
• False Labor: Usually felt in the front only.
• True Labor: Can start in the back and move to the front.

Position Changes and Hydration
• False Labor: Contractions may stop or slow down when you walk, lie down, change position or increase your fluid intake.
• True Labor: Contractions continue no matter what position changes you make or how much you drink.

At 37 weeks, I would go.
Good luck.

[Debbie@38]

You will know when you're in labor... My doctor told me not to come to the hospital until my contractions were 1 minute apart for 1 solid hour.  I think you have a ways to go before you're in active labor.

[Harley-girl]

Regardless of what she said if you have questions and are in doubt I would still call the doctor or at least the nurse and explain this to them. Then if they say go to the hosp and be checked out you will know to go and if they say wait it out and monitor if the contractions come closer together and become more intense you will have a least peace of mind about what to do.
Good Luck!!!!

[sam2]

I went to the hospital when my contractions were regularly 5 minutes apart.  My first labor was 22 hrs, stay home as long as possible because once you get there, you are usually glued to the bed and cannot get up.  I would make sure you are hydrated.  Dehydration can bring on contractions too.  Best of luck.  By the way, I was 1 cm for a few weeks.

[Bellyboo]

I know I went to the hopsital on the 24th b/c I was having what felt like constant contractions. when I got there they hooked me up to the monitor and said I was just having mostly braxton hicks with a few contractions and they said I could go home but I knew better. I left the hospital in the AM and at 5pm my water broke and I delievered my daughter that day. So, dr's don't always know eveything!! Good luck and I wish you a very safe and healthy delivery!!!

[duehring]

I would wait. More than likely you will get sent home.

With my first baby my hospital was an hour away too so I know how stressful it is trying to decide if you should go or not.

I sat up all night one night having contractions every 6-7 min and finally went in the morning. I was in labor all day and didn't have my baby till 9pm that night. I wished I had stayed home longer but I was paranoid because of the drive.

You can always call the ob ward at the hospital and ask what they think. That is what I did on my first baby.

[ima1]

hon, to me it sounds like you are in the begining stage s of labor.  Firstly, how far are you form the hospital, and who is driving you there.  If you are talking about a few hours driving time, like from a very rural area, I would say go now, hang around the area , go to a movie, or check into a hotel if you have the money, you dont want to get caught delivering your baby in your bedroom alone.  While its true that usually labour takes several hours, I have tw friends who almost delivered their first babies alone because they were waiting for the contraction to get regular at five minute intervals.  One didnt realisethat she was in active labour till she felt the urge to push, while trying to have a bowel movement.  She made it to the hosp. because it was about ten minutes away.  The other realised when she went into transition, almost delivered no the ambulance, but the emts were beging her not to push since they said they had never deliver a baby before, and she was delivered at he hospital in the triage rroom with eveyone in emergency waiting watching her.  If you would live twenty minutes from the hospital, I would say wait.  Since youre far, I say go.  Better safe than sorry.  And congrats!!! Sounds like you will be holding your baby soon!!!

ONe more thing I forgot, you might try having like half a bottle of wine, that should stop the contractions if you are in false labor:)

[Harley-girl]

If I drank half a bottle of wine I would be drunk and unable to drive myself to the hosp, I would get a DIU and deliver at the police dept. :)

[Harley-girl]

Meant DUI opppps.

[2songbirds]

I'd definitely hold off, at least till they get to 4-5 minutes apart. That car ride for you though is going to be horrible. You'll feel every little bump....

With my 1st I was in labor for 16 hours, at the hospital for 14 long hours. They admitted me because I was dilating fast, then they gave me some drugs, and it slowed way down. Had to give me pitocin, and spent 3 hours pushing.

With my 2nd, I was almost 37 weeks, didn't even have the group strep B test done yet, but knew I was positive from pg #1. The hospital and OB kept telling me I wasn't in labor, but I knew I was and I knew something was wrong. I was having regular, relentless contractions and bleeding. Before I went to the hospital, I was bleeding so much I thought I was bleeding to death. It kept feeling like my water broke many times, but it was blood (sorry TMI).

I was in labor with my 2nd for ....47 1/2 hours. I spent only 3 1/2 at the hospital. I'm not going to get into details, I don't want to scare you, but just pay attention to the warning signs while at home. If you don't feel the baby move as much, start bleeding as much as I did, develope a fever, or just feel that something's wrong, go.

Another option for you might to find a hotel nearby the hospital and camp out in case you do go and they send you home. In the meantime, you could take some tylenol pm and try to get some rest, you'll need it. My OB gave me the ok to take that stuff, surprisingly.

Best wishes

[2songbirds]

You don't plan on driving yourself to the hospital, do you? I couldn't even see straight while I was in labor with both of mine!! Plus I wanted to kill all the other drivers on the road, and punch my DH for 1)not driving fast enough and 2)hitting every freaking bump in the road. They make the contractions hurt a LOT more.

[girlybuff]

A half a bottle of wine???  Perhaps one glass but let's not get out of control.  She's having a baby not having a death row last meal.

[Harley-girl]

Heck no :)   I was just trying to be funny, some Friday humor. DH will take me in the SUV since it will be winter and in the Chicago area we usually have snow.  I have already timed my ride and with traffic it is still only 11 mins, not too bad.

[ima1]

was your second ok?  what was wrong?

[2songbirds]

holy **** girl, you kinda scared me there. Sorry, a bit tired. DH wanted to BD last night after I got home from work and after I was on the elliptical. So I got 4 hours of sleep. I have to work tonight, and I'm so dragging butt right now. Wish one of the grandma's would take the kids for a couple hours...

[Sunshine912]

My last contraction which was 2 min ago was very intense. I had to stand still. I am 1 hour from the hospital and my husband took off work today because I told him this may be it so he will drive me to the hospital. I had one small glass of wine to see if it would stop the contractions which it didn't. Harley and Girly, you are so funny!! I have two other girls which are 13 and 10 and I feel I am starting all over again. I don't remember a thing with them. The good thing is my inlaws came and picked them up last night just in case.

[Momx's2]

you'll have to maked the best decision for you. I was dialated at 1 only for one day. The next morning, I lost my mucus plug and my contractions were coming every 5-10 minutes. By the time I went to the hospital and got all checked in I was dialated to 3 and stayed there for a while. I was in labor for 26 hours. My sister on the other hand, she really didn't have much pain aside from some small back contractions. I had to actually make her go to the hospital because her contractions were ever 2 minutes. She had her baby 30 minutes ater getting to the hospital. I say this because everyone pregnancy is differnet. You can never be to safe. Good Luck and congradulations.

[Harley-girl]

You crack me up, tell DH to back off and let you rest. Maybe some wine will relax you and let you get some sleep. :)

Sunshine, good luck and keep us posted. How exciting for you.

[siren of the sea]

you crack me up. i understand being pg and thinking a beer sounds good!!!! ill have one for you. del at the police station would make for an interesting story for sure!

[2songbirds]

Yeah, he's ok now. Will be 1 at the end of the month.

When I got to the hospital they dismissed my fever. When they did the nonstress test they said 'oh the baby must be sleeping', even though I told them he really wasn't moving much for the last couple of days. When they broke my water, they didn't inspect it enough to see that he passsed meconium (sp?). They didn't notice he went into distress. When they gave me the epidural, I was 6cm. 45 minutes later I was screaming at my doctor and the nurse saying that he's almost out and it was burning down there. They didn't believe me until I told them he was crowning. They thought it was b/c of my contractions. Oh yeah, he was definitely coming out by himself. When he came out, he inhaled meconium and couldn't breath very good. I remember after he was born and I sat up and I saw the sheets. THe amniotic fluid was filled with meconium!!! It was all over my bed. How could they have not noticed that?

He got life flighted to another hospital and was in the NICU all week.

I've had several people tell me that I might have a lawsuit case because of the hospital's and my OB's negligence, but I never went there. I'm just glad that he's ok now.

May I also add that he was 3 1/2 weeks early and weighed 8lbs, 7oz, 20 1/2 inches!!

The part that still scares me is why was I bleeding so much during labor. I wonder what went wrong inside of me.

[Angiconda]

I went to the doctor on Tuesday and she said I was 1 cm and 75% effaced so I thought ok sweet atleast I am progressing but in theback of my mind knowing it reall.y didnt mean much. I had to go back yesterday to have my blood pressure checked and I was dilated to a 3 and 80% effaced he also said that if I dont have the baby by Tuesday they might induce me due to my high bp and swelling. I thought I was 36 weeks but I guess he changed my edd because of my us so I am 37 weeks. He also said a general rule on thumb is the 5-1-1- rule if your contractions are 5 minuets apart lasting a minute each for 1 hour then you need to go to the hospital. If you are ever in doubt or have a question just give your doctor a call they would rather you call then for something to happen. Good Luck and keep us posted!

[Sunshine912]

I thank everyone here for posting and I will definatley keep everyone informed. I am excited and scared.

[Harley-girl]

OH PLEASSSSE have a beer for me. Yummy, that sounds so good right now. I truly miss my Rollng Rock. :( I figure I will splurge at X-mas and have some wine or a beer. Heck I will be 38 weeks by then and that baby would probably like to feel Mommy relax a little.