37 Weeks Pregnant: Irregular Contractions & Mucus Plug - Should I Go to the Hospital?

Question
Im 37 weeks and 3cm and today ive been having irregular contractions all day.There mostly in my back but i can feel my stomach tighten up like my Dr said it would.Ive tried to lay down and drink fluids and nothings helped.Ive been loosing my mucus plug to.Can you tell me if i need to go to the hospital.I would just go but its a hour drive away and i dont want to go up there and get sent home. :(

Answer
Dear Ashley,

If you are past that 37 week mark and there was no question about the dating of the pregnancy, you would essentially be considered full-term. In a full-term pregnancy, women are usually asked to call the doctor or go to the hospital if:
-they suspect rupture of their membranes (their water breaks).
-contractions are regular at 5 minutes apart.
-there is a sudden increase or decrease in fetal activity.

For you, since you are an hour away AND 37 weeks, I would not wait until the contractions are regular at 5 minutes. I would recommend regular at about 8-10 minutes. When you time contractions, you time from the beginning of one to the beginning of another.

If it is false labor, the pains will not increase in intensity or get regular and they will usually go away or decrease with a change in activity - either resting or walking around.

I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well and a joyous delivery!

Brenda