Time?

[Machaelaxo]

When is it time to go in? How much pain to I have to be in to be taken seriously at labor and delivery ??? I am 36+4

[alliestwins]

Go get checked they will tell ypu when to come back of your not far enough into labour. Recommend time for contractions is 6 to 5 minutes apart. 2 to 3 minutes apart is to close. Also if your birth plan includes an epidural you will need to be there sooner. There is a small window in which the epidural can be given in active labor.

[mummainoz]

I think they can tell a lot by how you present. I lost my mucus plug, spotting, mild regular contractions 5mins apart and got my husband to call my dr. He asked my husband how I seemed and he said ok so the dr said go into l&d and get checked out anyway. I was ok for a little while at l&d and dr asked if the contractions were getting closer or more intense and I was a bit hesitent and said a little more intense so he said he'd come back later. Well within half an hour contractions were 2-3mins apart on the ctg and I was crying, shaking, and dreading every contraction. The midwife said there was a definite change and quickly called my dr back. I knew in myself I went from thinking this wasn't too bad to all of a sudden I need help (I was really preterm). But I'm glad I called my dr when I did.

[GeekMom1213]

My story: I didn't go in until 12 hours after my water had broken, when my contractions were steady at less than five minutes apart. I called my midwives' office a couple hours after my water broke to let them know and they said okay, that's great, let us know when you're in true labor or if things don't pick up throughout the day. So I called them when I was headed to the birthing center and the midwife on call met me there. Baby was born after 21 hours of labor. Very glad I didn't spend the whole thing at the birthing center being poked and monitored and giving them the chance to ask the same questions a million times. Labored in my own home where I was comfortable, did what I wanted to, moved when I wanted to, and went in when it was time.
If you are in labor, call your doctor or midwife. There should always be a number for the on-call or an answering service even in the middle of the night. They will get a good estimation of where you're at by what you can tell them over the phone and by how you sound. (It's a real productive contraction when you can't talk normally through it.) Your doctor or midwife knows you and knows your situation (if you're high risk for any reason, if you've had early labor or false labor before, etc). Just showing up at the hospital or calling the triage nurse, they won't be able to give you nearly such a direct answer and are less likely to take you seriously - why waste the trip (and hike your anxiety) if you're going to be sent home again? General rule is contractions 5 minutes apart or less that don't fade with rest.

[Machaelaxo]

How far along were you when your babies were born?

[thughes5]

I went in when I felt a lot of pressure down there. My water didn't break with either of my full term babies. And I believe I was having contractions right around ten minutes apart or less

[luxah]

I don't think its a matter of pain, but either if your water has broken. Go in immediatly. If it doesn't break but your contractions are like 2-3 mins apart. (I think thats the time frame) you should go in if your're ready to go in and see what they can do. If you don't wanna go in call l&d and tell them how close they are and if you should go in.