When should I go to the hospital when I am in labor?

Question

This is my second pregnancy and am almost 37 weeks, I live about 30 minutes from the hospital. How far should my contractions be before I head over there? I want opinions, please don't tell me to consult my physician. My next appointment is in two weeks, I want to know if I happen to go into labor before my next appt.

Answer 1

As soon as you go into labour you should make your way to the hospital.

The baby might decide to come quickly after that, so the sooner you're there, the better.

Answer 2

as long as you are comfortable, i would head in when they are 7-5 min apart, as 2nd labours are often quicker than 1st, but it may mean hanging around the hospital longer, but better to be safe than sorry

Answer 3

I also live 30 minutes from the nearest hospital and the midwives told us to start heading in when my contractions were 7 minutes apart. I got there at 5 mins apart and still didn't have my daughter for another 6 hours but everyone is different. You should go into the hospital straight away if your water breaks though. Even if your not having contractions. The reason for this is because once they break, you are open to infection. Therefore, you need to be in a sterile environment. Congats and best of luck to you :)

Answer 4

if your waters brake i would go then as there is a risk of infection once they have gone, if you just having contractions i would go when they are 7 to 5 Min's apart  

Answer 5

shouldn't they have gone throught all this with you way before you got to 37 weeks! If you think your going into labour call you midwife and she will help you...

Answer 6

When I was pregnant with my first child I started having contractions every 5 minutes but it was 3am and I didn't want to get my husband up that early cause he had just gotten off from work. So later that day I went to the ER at 3:30pm and had the baby at 3:36am the next day. My contractions felt like cramps and took my breathe away every time they came but I made it through everyone until I was able to get to the hospital. Call the on call OB Dr. at the hospital you are going to deliver at and tell them how far away your contractions are and they will tell you to either come in or just wait. Good Luck

Answer 7

the teacher at parenting classes said that if you start with contractions etc then if you can still sit in front of the tv and concentrate on it there is no point going to hospital just yet, once they are that strong yo cant sit and concentrate on what your watching go to hospital

Answer 8

when they get about 6-7 min apart i would head out. make sure you already have your bag packed so you dont have to mess with that.

Answer 9

With your second pregnancy I would head off to hospital when your contractions are about 10min apart because your pregnancy is more likely to progress faster the second time around.

Answer 10

I would probably head out there as soon as your contractions got to being 5-10 min apart or if your water breaks. I know some women, such as myself, prefer to try and wait it out as long as possible at home but in your case since your 30 min from the hospital I wouldnt chance it.  

Answer 11

I just went once my water broke, that is when it started hurting and the contractions went to 3 mins apart by the time i got there.