Need Help with Labor!!!

Updated on January 21, 2008
S.M. asks from New Windsor, NY
34 answers

Hello Moms,
I know I am not in active labor but I have a question. Last week I posted that I was 1 cm and now I am 3 cms and 50% effaced and am about to be 37 weeks on tues 22nd. I just lost my mucous plug yesterday and now am feeling crampy and contractions about 3+5 minutes apart. Should I really go to the hospital and waste my time and doctors for them to really tell me "OH your 4 cm and to send me home". Moms what do you guys think. this is also my second child

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J.R.

answers from New York on

you best get going! Or at least call the doctor. the second one comes quicker than the first!
Good luck!

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J.M.

answers from New York on

Go and let them determine what is going on. If you are not ready they will tell you so. If you are about to deliver soon it is better to be there than at home wondering!

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T.S.

answers from New York on

Go to the hospital! In my experience my second child came faster than the first. So you should go now. and if you are 4cm, chances are they will still keep you there as you seem to be in active labor.

I will be going through this myself with my 3rd in a few weeks. yikes!

Good Luck and congrats!

More Answers

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K.R.

answers from Binghamton on

Honey, it's time to go to the doctor. If they send you home, they send you home. Second births sometimes have a different timeline, so listen to your body.

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J.M.

answers from Syracuse on

walk walk walk!!!! go to the mall or somewhere inside and walk. when the contractions get a little closer go right away. if you are still nervous, go now. i was admitted and only 4cm and walked the halls. i felt safe being there in case anything happened fast. good luck!!!

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K.G.

answers from Rochester on

STAY HOME!
If you're still feeling good and posting on the internet, you're probably not in active labor. I waited until I truly felt uncomfortable with my 3rd. I went in at 9cm and pushed him out just two hours later.
Also, the mucous plug has nothing to do with infection. Don't sweat it. I lost mine over a period of two weeks before birth.
It's so much more comforting to labor at home. Wishing you a quick, peaceful birth! ~ K.

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R.Z.

answers from Buffalo on

You've probably already had your baby by now, so pardon the delayed response!

If anyone else finds themselves in this position, my suggestion would be to stay at home as long as possible :) Usually, your instincts will tell you when you need to go to the hospital. Don't panic, be patient, and enjoy those final moments of that baby being inside your belly :)

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J.M.

answers from New York on

3-4 cm is the end of the first phase. I would call your Dr., I am guessing he/she will say with out a doubt come in, so they can at least check you. If it's a wasted trip big deal, better safe than sorry! Good luck, and if you are in early labor, Congratulations!

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J.F.

answers from New York on

You need to go to the hospital. If your water broke they wont send you home

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C.B.

answers from New York on

Hi! Congratulations! I only have one kid and I had to go to the hospital right away because I had strep B. But, since second kids are supposed to come so much faster, I think you probably should go or call your doctor or midwife. Or if you have a doula they will definitely know. Good luck. Happy delivering.

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N.B.

answers from New York on

I would ask for an appt with your OBGYN to see what they say. I was in your position for 2 weeks with my daughter and then all the sudden the contractions started and within a few hrs she was born!! It came on fast. If the conteactions are consistent you should be checked.

N.

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M.T.

answers from Albany on

I hope you are already at the hospital. Once the plug has popped you are prone to infection. You need to get to the hospital no matter what. Mine popped early and I started loosing a lot of liquid too fast too quick. It can cause problems. Get going girl!!

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K.M.

answers from Syracuse on

I'm sure you are already at the hospital, but if you aren't, you should at least call your doctor, and see what he/she tells you. Good luck!

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A.J.

answers from Albany on

OOHHH! How exciting! I don't know what you should do. But good luck! Happy delivery!

A.

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J.G.

answers from New York on

Go to the hospital!!!

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J.F.

answers from Syracuse on

i wonder if you had it by now. i was 3cm for a month or so before giving birth. i woke up after three am lost the mucus plug and a little bloody show. Called the midwife and she said to come in to be checked. i had no contraction up to that point. i was still dilated to 3cm but she stated that wasn't aything since i was already therefor awhile now. i still wasn't having any hard contractions. "Get some sleep. We'll get you out walking tomorrow and you'll most likely deliver sometime tomorrow evening." i delivered at 6:35 AM a total of 3 hours from the time i woke to go to the bathroom.

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M.H.

answers from New York on

I would go to the hospital because they can monitor the contractions and also the baby and if there is any stress on the baby you want to be there so they can spring into action. The worst thing that can happen is you spend a few hours getting checked out and then you're sent home. You shouldn't feel guilty about that. I know that would be a drag, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Good luck!

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J.F.

answers from New York on

How long lasting are your contractions? Do they last 1 minute or more and repeat every 3-5 minutes? If they do, I would definitely start packing and get ready to go. If they are shorter than that, I would stay at home (though be prepared to leave any time...). Can you still talk? If you cant', because pain gets so strong - go to the hospital.
There are so many variables and always hard to say. How long was your first labour? If you had contractions for a very long time before tha labour started to progress it will take you longer time now as well (though shorter than the first one).
Etc.
They will not send you home if you are 4 cm dilated.

GOOD LUCK!!!!!

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C.M.

answers from New York on

Don't take any chance or risk. The Dr's are there for a reason and paid. Let them go ahead and tell you you are not ready if that is the case but follow your instincts- they are stronger and telling you something.

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D.B.

answers from New York on

Go to the hospital NOW!!!! You don't want to have the baby at home, do you?? ;) So what if the hospital sends you home....better to air on the side of caution.

P.S. My friend was having her 2nd baby in Sept. She called me about 8:45pm to say she was having contractions about 3-5 minutes apart and wasn't sure if she could meet me for lunch the next day and should she call her doctor and go to the hospital. I told her YES and she had her 2nd baby at 12:45am--4 hours after our phone call. And 2nd children come faster than the first (or so I'm told--I only have 1 so far). Good luck!!!

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A.G.

answers from Syracuse on

I think that if you've lost your plug and having contactions you need to get your butt to the hospital. Even if they do send you home, they will know to monitor you closely. Besides I think you and the baby are at risk of infection now due to the loss of your mucus plug. My advice got to the hospital and see what they have to say ASAP.

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S.K.

answers from Albany on

I would go to the hospital. This happened to my sister last year and she had her baby the day she was feeling very crampy. He was her 3rd but he was born 3 and a half weeks early. He was healthy and fine and all went well. 2nd babies can come much quicker then your 1st. I have 3 children and my 2nd and 3rd were born very quickly. Best of luck to you and your new baby.

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A.H.

answers from New York on

go to the hospital! with your second child you can give birth any minute!
3cm and 50% effaced is different w/ your 2nd child. (although i went for 2 to 10 cm in under 2 hours with my 1st child). my cousin didn't even realize she was in labor with her 2nd child and barely made it to the hospital.

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N.F.

answers from New York on

I went into labor the after I lost my plug wth my 2.5 yo, and if your contractions are 5 min apart, definitely call your dr and see what he says. At 37 weeks, you are considered full term, so good luck! I must say Im a little jealous...I'm 37w 2days and nothing! Good Luck =)

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M.K.

answers from New York on

I would call my care providers and touch base. If you all decide it's early labor, and you're feeling safe and well, stay home and let your body do it's work peacefully. If your contractions keep up, then you'll know you're moving into active labor! You know your body better than anyone else, mama...

If you're not going into active labor, you can lose your plug, and then it rebuilds itself....that bloody show is a good sign of labor, but doesn't necessarily mean that you are in labor.

Sending positive energy and wishing you a gentle, fun delivery. Congratulations! Please let us know how you make out ~

M.

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T.W.

answers from Buffalo on

labor at home as long as possible. going to the hospital early just puts you in a position for them to intervene too much. good luck! let us know how it goes!

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J.J.

answers from New York on

hi S.!

sounds like you know what you're about; i myself wouldn't bother w hosp yet; you're prob right; if you feel good, wait a bit! do you have a doula? if you want to email or talk about this more email me directly at

____@____.com

, i did my two deliveries of my kids naturally.

jess

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R.R.

answers from New York on

If it was me...I'd go straight to the hospital! Once your plug comes out, it's any time from then! Plus, better safe than sorry :) Good luck!!!

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C.D.

answers from New York on

Go to the hospital. You are not a waste of time! :)

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C.R.

answers from Syracuse on

Follow your mommy instinct...who cares if the doctor sends you home...better safe than sorry....I wouldn't want to deliver my baby in January on the car ride to the hospital because I didn't want to bother my doctor....and if your doctor is treating you like you are bothering him...find a new one! they are there to help and make you comfortable....every labor is different and the more you have the faster they usually are...good luck!

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C.M.

answers from New York on

Stay home as long as you can--and read more about using castor oil and/or acupressure points to help activate your labor.
I was late and did these things to start my labor with my daughter who is now 4.5. Hope this helps!

cornelia

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H.P.

answers from Rochester on

Call your doctor or labor and delivery dept. they will give you the best advise for YOU and YOUR BABY.
We don't know the situation, how big your first was, what the plan has been for this one.....etc. Our second boy had to be delivered "C" and THANK GOD - the minute I went into labor I went to the hospital with the youngest boy, and they did ANOTHER "C" - as he was 10 lbs and almost 24 inches!!! If I HAD delivered him <naturally> - I would have never been able to have my girls!!!! GOOD LUCK.

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A.P.

answers from New York on

I hope you brought your 2-year-old to someone and headed to the doctor's office at least for now. They will tell you what is going on. If you had the baby today - Congratulations! All the best for a second go at motherhood. It is quite different with number two. :-)

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K.M.

answers from Albany on

I hope you went to the hospital!

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