Argh, don't know what to do

[Mandalaia]

I hate being one of those people that rush to the hospital at every cramp and contraction. Right now I have been having contractions since around 1:30pm and I feel really, really wet down there. DH checked to see if I was dilating at all and he said that I feel much wetter than usual and it's a different kind of wet, not the usual thick discharge I normally have. I want to get it checked out, but I hate to go if it's nothing. It's a half hour drive to the hospital and we really can't afford the gas if it's just a false alarm lol, plus I would have to take all the kids with us. I could call the midwife and ask, but I know she will tell me to go get checked out just to be sure. Ugh, decisions, decisions lol... So, what would you do?

[mother culture]

How very exciting. Just sit and listen in a quiet place to what is going on. If it were me I would take a bath and while squatting put 2 fingers up to get a sence of dialation. Could Dh feel any dialation? I can't really see that being wetter than normal is any indication. Should be juicy this close to labor/birth.
Keep us informed! best of birth wishes!

[Mandalaia]

Nope, no dilating at all, everything is the same as it has been The thing that worries me is that this is #6 for me and my labors get shorter each time, my last labor was only about an hour from the time my water broke.

[freestyler]

I'd go and get checked out, especially if you have anything medical that would mean a hospital birth could be safer for you (as was the case for me my last two births). The hell with the gas money! You can make up the money some other way. This is NO time to worry about gas money.

I also hated to go with a false alarm, and I ended up being sent home from the hospital once two days before labor REALLY started this time. With our hospital 60 miles away and this being #4 for me, and with real health issues to make it important to get to the hospital, I did go in once when it turned out to be too early. Got the DH, the doctor, the doula, and our friends (who watched our kids at the house) out of bed at 2 AM, only to have it be a false alarm. My contractions stopped and never picked up again until the next night. ARRGGHHH!! 120 mile round trip, gas $3/gallon, you know....I was kind of annoyed, but better to find out for your peace of mind.

So when in doubt, I'd GO if I were you! Besides, my early trip to the hospital provided some valuable info two or three days later when I went in and it was the "real" thing. Don't worry, you'll time it right, and it will all come out beautifully! we're looking forward to the birth story!!

[mother culture]

Well # 6 I think you should be the judge. I would say stay home and have an unassisted birth ..Just Kiddin. You probably are having a hard time laughing.
I would wait for some dialation then you will know for sure that the body is in the hormonal cascade nescesary to put you into real labour. and then go settle in to the hospital room and relax and It will all happen pretty fast from there. But every labour is different or can be. How wonderful to be giving birth to the 6th baby!