When to go to hospital.... at what stage?

I think it varies from midwife to midwife, but this is what I did. I txt her when my waters broke, and she said just to keep an eye on things and txt her again when contractions started - the gap between my waters breaking and contractions becoming regular was actually quite long, about five hours. She lived nearby, fortunately for us, so dropped by about lunchtime, and then again when things got regular (after another txt from me) - and because of the aforementioned five hour gap, arranged for us to meet her at hospital at 11pm because I'd need antibiotics. I was probably only about 4cm still at that stage.

Ahh, whereas I went in when I was only 1cm dilated with number one because my blood pressure spiked. I phoned the midwife because I had been vomitting and feeling unwell and didn't realise that I was in labour. I had my first contraction in the car on the way to the hospital and by the time I got there (15 minute drive) was 5cm dilated. I was in labour for about 5 hours at the hospital before he was born.
With number two, I phoned the midwife as soon as the contractions were 5 minutes apart and not stopping. It was midnight and I phoned late at night kind of on purpose because she had been kind of yukky and had told me not to phone in the middle of the night unless I was positive I was in labour because she had difficulty getting back to sleep when woken (what kind of person chooses midwifery as a career and then complains about late nights!!!). It was lucky that I phoned her as Andrew was born two hours later.
Since I tend to have short labours, my LMC has told me to phone pretty much at the first niggle of labour - as labours tend to get shorter and since I've just had the carpets cleaned, I don't really want to give birth at home!!!

Edited by emeldee

Please note this is second child:
I rung my midwife the night before as I was having niggles that had lasted all day (wouldn't say I was in labour but knew something was different) to warn her. She didn't come out just said to ring when they get stronger and closer together. I waited till 6am the next morning they had been pretty close since 4am but I thought I can manage a while longer as I was in hosipital with my son for a long time. Midwife came round got here about 6.45am checked me and was 5cm dilated.... off to hosipital.
You will feel yourself that they are getting closer but if you are unsure I would suggest going along to hosipital or ringing your midwife - thats what they are there for. With your first its hard to judge as you've got nothing to compare to. I plan to stay home as long as poss with this one (but like having the baby in hospital not home)

With Kiya, contractions started at 10:30pm Tuesday night... I rung my Mum (who was on nightshift) and she came home to be with me when they were 15 minutes apart (3:15am Wednesday morning)... I first rung my midwife at about 6am Wendnesday morning when my contractions were 8 minutes apart, regular, and lasting for more than 45 seconds, as we'd previously agreed when doing my birth plan. My midwife came and examined me at 7:30am when there hadn't been any change for a while (contractions 6 minutes apart and had been for 30 minutes) and I was 7 cm! At 9am, when the contractions were 5 minutes apart, I went to the hospital... my labour slowed down, and Kiya was born at 2.02pm Wednesday afternoon.

With Josiah, I had irritable uterus (lots of irregular contractions that don't do anything towards bringing on actual labour) for three weeks, with three or four false alarms. My midwife did a sweep at a regular appointment (Tuesday), and the first proper contraction hit 30 minutes later. I rung my midwife that night to give her a heads up, and as my contractions were still 15 or 20 minutes apart (sorry, baby brain means I can't quite remember) we agreed to wait and see. At 2:20am Wednesday, contractions were 8 minutes apart and my waters broke... after that they were 6 minutes apart! At 5am, when contractions were 5 minutes apart I rung my midwife and we arranged to meet at the hospital at 6am (she lived 45 minutes drive away). Nat rung the lady who was going to look after Kiya, and I got ready to go... We met the midwife at the hospital at 6am, and Josiah was born at 6:58am Wednesday morning.

This time, I'm expecting things to be a little different as I have to travel 1.5 hours to get to the hospital, unless I get to go by helicopter! I'm meeting with my midwife tomorrow, so I'm going to ask her then what the proceedure will be... if I didn't have to go to Wanganui to deliver, I probably would have been calling her when contractions were 5 minutes apart.

My hind waters broke and contractions started at 1.30am and were pretty close together from the get-to. Started at 5 mins apart I think but not painful. I got all excited, rang midwife (who was on holiday, so had an hour drive back) and made my way to the hospital at about 2.15am. My contractions had slowed a bit by the time I got there.

The contractions only started getting really paiful a couple of hours later. I reeeeeally wish I had laboured at home longer instead of getting carried away with it all and going to the hospital. Anyway, Han was delivered at 9.25am (so spent about 7 hours in hosp)


Edited by nikkiwhyte

Thank so much guys!!!!
So would you recommend we ring the mid wife first just to let our m/w know my waters have broken or my contractions have started???

same here - started pushing with Paris only 3 hours after contractions started.. she took about 2hrs as well.