Suggestions? The ctx seem rather close together...

[MotheringMe]

I'm thinking (hoping!) I'm next. I had my first contractions at my midwife appointment this morning... They started at 5 minutes apart and 60 seconds long, and I'm at about 4 minutes apart and 60 seconds long.

I spoke with my midwife and told her the frequency and intensity are increasing, but she seemed to think that they weren't intense enough to warrant going in yet. But she normally has people go in at 5 minutes apart, so I'm a bit concerned. I've always been *really* good with my pain, and I feel like maybe she doesn't get that I probably seem better than I actually feel...

I don't know what I should do. I don't want to wait too long to go in, but I also don't want to wake everyone up at midnight for nothing.

I just want my baby!

[yonit]

It is really hard to advise someone if they need to go in or not yet without actually talking to them. Which is why I tell all my clients "You can have your partner call me when you go into labor, but I am going to want to actually speak with you and listen to how you are laboring"

That being said, 4 minutes apart for a first time mom - especially for that many hours - is still probably early labor. I don't generally suggest for first timers that they go in until they are 3 minutes apart lasting 60-90 seconds - and intense enough that they can't talk through them, walk through them or do anything else besides focus completely on the contx.

There was a posting just recently of the emotional signposts for labor. I didn't get around to reading the thead, but I find them to be much more indicative of where a mom is in her labor. So you may want to find that thread- it was just in the past few days.

Otherwise you may just want to try and get some sleep tonight - sounds like you may be having a busy day tomorrow. Drink a cup of chamomille tea, or even a glass of wine...you need your rest.