When to go to hospital when you think you’re in labour

The 5-1-1 rule is good to keep in mind! When your contractions last for one minute and are 5 minutes apart for a full hour - that’s a good rule of thumb to use to go to hospital!

I tracked my contractions on the Freya app. You will see they are coming in regular intervals and are getting shorter between. I left for the birthing suite when I was around 6 mins between contractions. Like the previous person commented, the 5-1-1 rules is a great rule of thumb.

Ok, so they're right. You will definitely know when you're in labour.

Contractions usually start as mild period cramps that build up to strong period cramps. They come in waves rather than just being a constant ache like your period would be.

They do get very intense and do require concentration and deep breathing to manage the pain. But to begin with, most likely for a few hours, you will be able to mostly go about your day as normal.

You know you're in labour when you have to stop what you're doing and breathe it through before carrying on what you were doing or saying.

As has been said... The 5-1-1 rule is good if you live reasonably close to the hospital. If it takes you over 30-45 minutes to get there then it's recommended you head in just a little earlier. It's also advised that you go in if you start needing help to manage the pain. But staying at home at long as you can is your best bet to having a natural birth ❤️

Tbc...

If your waters break before contractions start you will phone the midwife unit and they will book you in to go and get them checked. If all is well you'll get sent home to wait for contractions to start ❤️

But you will definitely know when it happens. Keep the oxytocin high to help labour along ❤️ watch funny films, dance and cuddle, lots of walking and swaying too xx

My waters went with my little boy at 9am, booked in to get them checked at 5pm, went home to wait and contractions started at 7pm. I went into hospital at 2am. My son was born by c section at 8.20pm. He just kicked the water out and then decided he was warm and comfy inside and didn't fancy coming out 😂😂 xx

I think it’s at around 34 weeks you discuss birth plan with your midwife. I was told that if I was having 3 contractions within 10 minutes to call triage which is what I did. I’m around 30 mins from the hospital and because it was my first, they were going to let me just crack on at home for a bit longer but my daughter had been a bit quieter which is why they got me in. I was 3cm when I got to the hospital and 4 hours later, after a sweep, I was 9cm. My waters didn’t break until I was pushing either so I couldn’t rely on that. I think when it’s your first they don’t expect it to progress quickly but it absolutely can, so be firm if you feel you need to go in. As Kirsty said, you’ll know! It’s a wave of discomfort that gradually becomes more intense. You’ve got this💕