This seems a little silly for me. I have 2 beautiful little girls. 2 successful, uncomplicated, unmedicated vaginal births. But with each of them - I didn't have quite the experience I've had this time around. Now 38 weeks pregnant & due any day, I've been to the Birth Center at least 5 times already THINKING I was in labor. The first 4 times were dehydration issues due to being sick & throwing up pretty much anything I tried to eat. Last night, I went in & wasn't dehydrated. Was having "real contractions" as my husband likes to call them. But after 3 hours of being in excrutiating pain... was sent home because my cervix wasn't dilating.

I know active labor is defined as labor that creates change in the cervix. That wasn't my luck last night & it was definitely suprising. And a little confusing, since I didn't go through any of this with my older 2 girls. So I'm wondering - for all you moms of 2 or more - how exactly do you tell when it's time to go in? The doctor wasn't very helpful in giving me any signs. She just said that the timing was right, but they need to be STRONGER contractions.

Is there anything I can do to help this process along? I know walking helps, but I had a horrible experience with a drill instructor for a brother making me walk for hours straight when I was pregnant with my oldest. So I'm a little lazy if you will. Any suggestions help - and any stories would too! How did you know when it was "that time"?

For me I knew it was time when I couldn't sit still. I was constantly figiting and moving around trying to find a comfortable position, but every position I tried I still felt uncomfortable. I have to say it was like having ants in my pants, for lack of a better description. My belly ached, my butt hurt, my legs twitched, my back was in knots. Just very uncomfortable that didn't go away no matter what I did. I was 7 cm when I arrived at the hospital. My son was born an hour later.

I knew it was time because my contractions were three minutes apart and felt like my body was ripping apart from the inside.
I was also 7cm when I got to the hospital, and had been in labor for about six hours. It was still another nine hours before my son arrived.