Natural Birth and Baby Care.com

Am I in Labour?

by Sheralee

My contractions have been exactly 5mins apart for the last 4 hours, when do I know it is time to go to the hospital?

Answer:

Hi Sheralee,

I hope that by the time you get this, you're holding your new baby in your arms...

But a good time to plan to go to the hospital is when your contractions are 2-3 minutes apart and last about a minute.

If you're a second time (or more) mother, you may want to go when they're 4-5 minutes apart and are lasting around a minute or longer.

If you're still cheerful and able to talk easily through contractions, you may want to stay home a bit. Take a walk, putter about, cook something, watch a movie, or try to take a nap.

But being active if it's daytime, and trying to sleep if it's nighttime, is best in early labour.

I would recommend staying home until you absolutely feel you can't any longer - then go to the hospital and hopefully you'll have your baby within an hour or two!