how close should contractions be before going to hospital?
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The contractions become more regular until they are less than 5 minutes apart. Active labor (the time you should come into the hospital) is usually characterized by strong contractions that last 45 to 60 seconds and occur three to four minutes apart.
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For a vaginal delivery, the cervix needs to be 10 centimeters (cm) dilated and 100 percent effaced. While cervical dilation is necessary for labor to progress, being dilated isn't necessarily a sign that true labor is starting. In some cases, women will dilate a few centimeters weeks before their due date.
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Most people stay at home during this time. The second or active phase of the first stage of labour is when your cervix starts to open. At the same time your contractions usually become more regular, around three or four minutes apart and last up to a minute or so.
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If your contractions are mild to moderate and coming more than five minutes apart (and up to 20 minutes apart), you're likely in early labor. Contractions in this stage of labor can be regular or irregular and last 30 to 45 seconds each. Early labor can last several hours or even several days.
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The likelihood is that your contractions will start within 24 hours to 48 hours of your waters breaking. So waiting for at least 24 hours before you're induced is probably what your midwife will advise.
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When the cervix dilates from 0 to 3 or 4 centimeters, contractions get stronger as time progresses. Mild contractions begin at 15 to 20 minutes apart and last 60 to 90 seconds. The contractions become more regular until they are less than 5 minutes apart.
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Mild contractions begin at 15 to 20 minutes apart and last 60 to 90 seconds. The contractions become more regular until they are less than 5 minutes apart.
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Your cervix will efface and dilate to 4 cm. Contractions will last about 30-45 seconds, giving you 5-30 minutes of rest between contractions.
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If your amniotic membrane ruptures -- or your "water breaks" -- the contractions may get much stronger. When the cervix dilates from 8 to 10 centimeters (called the Transition Phase), contractions are 2 to 3 minutes apart and last about 1 minute. You may feel pressure on your rectum and your backache may feel worse.
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Most women go into labour on their own within 24 hours. If this doesn't happen your midwife will offer to induce labour and you'll be advised to give birth in hospital, if you're not there already. This is because your waters breaking before labour starts increases your baby's risk of infection.
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The general advice has been to wait until the contractions have been five minutes apart for an hour before you call and make your way to the hospital.
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As a general rule, you know you are ready to go to the hospital when your contractions are 4 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute, for at least 1 hour.
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When should you call the doctor if you think you're in labor? If your contractions are mild to moderate and coming more than five minutes apart (and up to 20 minutes apart), you're likely in early labor. Contractions in this stage of labor can be regular or irregular and last 30 to 45 seconds each.
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In cases where your baby would be premature, they may survive just fine for weeks with proper monitoring and treatment, usually in a hospital setting. In cases where your baby is at least 37 weeks, current research suggests that it may be safe to wait 48 hours (and sometimes longer) for labor to start on its own.
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When to go to the Hospital. Most physicians and midwives suggest contacting them when your contractions are five minutes apart and lasting 60 seconds and you have had this activity for about an hour.
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Once contractions are less than 5 minutes apart consistently for one hour, that's when it's time to go to the hospital. If you're not sure about the timing of your contractions another sign it's time to go to the hospital are you have difficulty speaking during contractions.
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Most physicians and midwives suggest contacting them when your contractions are five minutes apart and lasting 60 seconds and you have had this activity for about an hour.