How many contractions before calling doctor

Contractions During Pregnancy: What to Expect. Topic Overview Regular contractions may mean that your uterine muscle is tightening Braxton Hicks contractions or that you are in labor. Braxton Hicks contractions During the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, you may have episodes when your belly tightens and becomes firm to the touch, then relaxes. Braxton Hicks contractions can occur often during the 9th month, such as every 10 to 20 minutes.

Braxton Hicks contractions: Usually go away during exercise or activity. True labor pains continue or increase with activity. Are felt more during rest. Preterm labor The length of a normal pregnancy is 37 to 42 weeks, measured from the date of the woman's last menstrual period. Early labor Early labor is often the longest part of the birthing process, sometimes lasting 2 to 3 days. Uterine contractions: Are mild to moderate and last about 30 to 45 seconds.

You can keep talking during these contractions. May be irregular, about 5 to 20 minutes apart, and may even stop for a while. Active labor The first stage of active labor starts when the cervix is about 3 cm 1. Compared to early labor, the contractions during the first stage of labor: Are more intense. Occur more often, about every 2 to 3 minutes. Last longer, about 50 to 70 seconds. Related Information Pregnancy. Credits Current as of: October 8, Top of the page Next Section: Related Information.

Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. Your due date is definitely near, but maybe not near enough to rush off to the delivery room just yet.

Knowing when to go to the hospital can save you from getting there too soon and being turned away or not soon enough and nobody wants that. Contractions in this stage of labor can be regular or irregular and last 30 to 45 seconds each.

Early labor can last several hours or even several days. No need to call your practitioner yet, either. Even if the intervals aren't consistent, or if you're not sure you're in real labor — but the contractions are coming pretty regularly — call anyway, just to be safe.

Also call the doctor if your water breaks, you experience any bleeding or bright red discharge not brown or pinkish , or if you experience blurred or double vision, a severe headache or sudden swelling. Follow the set of instructions your practitioner has given you if your water breaks. Put in a call to find out what to do. Definitely call your doctor right away if the fluid looks green or brown — it could be that baby had his first bowel movement called meconium in utero.

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When To Go To the Hospital. When you reach your doctor or midwife, be prepared to describe: How far apart the contractions are, their length and intensity, and if you're using breathing techniques. Whether or not the bag of waters has broken, the time it broke, and the color of the fluid.

If a bloody show is present. What To Expect When You Arrive at the Hospital When you arrive in labor and delivery, a nurse will check your blood pressure, temperature, may obtain both blood and urine samples, and place devices on your abdomen that monitor the baby's heart rate and your contractions.