DS1-contracted for a few weeks, no labor. The morning I went into labor I woke up at 8am to my water breaking (trickle). Stood up and had a good gush. Contractions were pretty much immediately 5 mins apart. Midwives had me come in ASAP as longish hospital drive and I was already 3 cm dilated. He was born about 6.5 hours after my water broke.
DD-was not sure I was even in labor for a good while. Wasn't feeling an urgent rush to head to the birth center. Called the midwife, and we decided on me coming in. Things were kinda intense on the drive there but by the time I got to the birth center my contractions just felt like mild cramping. Midwife checked me and I was 10 cm and complete. I had NO idea and thought she was kidding. Hung out for an hour or so waiting to feel pushy (water hadn't broken, no urge to push) so that's what I did. She was born after about 3 hours of labor, but I wasn't sure I was in active labor.
When I was pg with DS2 I was kinda worried about when to call the midwife (homebirth for ds2). Thankfully it was very obvious. I contracted a good bit in the days leading up to labor, but no real lasting pattern. Woke up at 3 am to one HUGE contraction. They were immediately 2-3 mins apart. Called the midwife. DS2 was born about 5 hours after that first big contraction.
Mama to DS-2004
DD-2006
and a new addition-ds born march 2010