Why is that upsetting? I'm a ftm... I'm having a homebirth but even so, my midwife doesn't need to come to my house until my contractions are 5-1-1.
Pregnancy & labor are not an illness... I promise you our bodies are capable of early labor at home (and in some situations complete labor & delivery at home).
This is my first so yes, naturally I'm a little confused as to what exactly it will be like... but I'm 38+3 & it feels like everything my body is doing is definitely with purpose. I had a fun 23 hrs of contractions, abdominal cramping, back pain, & a crap ton of mucus plug a week ago, but it didn't really alarm me. I still did my dishes, went grocery shopping, etc... lol not the most fun but I could still walk & talk so I didn't even think to text my midwife until 20 hrs in & she was not at all concerned.
Anyway, I trust my midwife when she says I'll just know. Even though at this point it's all kind of a blur.
General rule of thumb they taught me in my birth class was if your contractions are 5 minutes apart, last few or one minute & stay that way for an hour it is time to go to the hospital/birth center/have your midwife come out (moreso if it is your second baby).... and if it's your first then your contractions should be 3 minutes apart, lasting for a minute for an hour. I live an hour out of town, so they told me to follow the 5-1-1 rule.
I know it's confusing & nerve-wracking & a little frustrating.... but it will be worth it in the end when you have that precious baby in your arms. :)
I agree... ftm here and I been debating when is the right time to go in or not. :/