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Although I ended up having a scheduled c-section at 40+2; my plan was not to go into L&D until I was having contractions that timed less than 10 minutes apart for more than 1 hour. I was very, very uncomfortable in the last week of pregnancy, and had dilated and 100% effaced by week 38, so there were some cramps....just no timed contractions, or timed/regular crampy feelings...so I never went into L&D. Hope this helps!

ETA: I also had some pre-term labor contractions that were right around 10 minutes apart, but would generally clear up at around the 1 hour mark, so I wanted to wait with real contractions until they had been going for at least an hour.

Does your doctor have a hotline you can call on the weekends?

I went in when contractions were 3-4 mins apart..! About an hour after I started feeling labor pains.
If I remember correctly, the hospital rule is go in when water breaks or contractions are 5 mins apart for first time moms? Or was it 7?

Good luck!!!

I went in after my water broke. I wish I would have waited though. My water broke around 3am and we rushed off to the hospital. My midwife didn't get there until 8:00. I wish I would have stayed home and got some sleep.

I went too early and I think it's what ended up making my labor the crap tastic crap fest that it was.
Wait. You don't want to be sent home, but you also don't want to not be sent home and then end up at the hospital for days...
Get one of those contraction timers. When they are consistantly 5 minutes apart (or when you can't stand the pain), then go.

I went in after calling when my contractions were 4-5 minutes apart, lasting at least a minute long for around two hours. I stopped contracting at the hospital, though, and hadn't progressed much, so we went home. As soon as we got home they kicked into high gear, and after two and a half hours of ridiculously painful back contractions that I could barely breathe through let alone talk through and lot of throwing up I went back (without calling) with the intention of begging them to admit me or give me something for the pain. I had progressed to 5cm and he had moved down quite a bit within that two and a half hours, and they admitted me.

My water broke so it was easy for me. Sounds like you're getting really close!

No advice but my fingers are crossed that it's the end for you!

When my contractions were 3-4 mins apart and I had to stop and breathe when one came.

How far apart are yours? I was uncomfortable for days before hand which I'm now convinced was early labor.

I had Braxton Hicks for WEEKS before my due date and for two full weeks past, until I was eventually induced. I thought about going in once or twice when they were really intense, but alas - not the real thing. Good luck, and you will know when it's really the real thing...