When should I go?

I am almost 38 weeks. Thursday I had a doctors appointment, and I was already dilated to a 4. She sent me up to labor and delivery to be monitored, which they did for a little over an hour, then checked me again, at which point they told me I was having contractions and was now at a 5. The doctor had me admitted, but as the evening progressed, my contractions stopped. The last time they checked me I was dilated to a 5, and effaced to 80%. I was kept over night, but my contractions never restarted. They told me the contractions I was having weren't sending me into "active labor" and they were sending me home, and they "wouldn't be surprised if I was back this weekend." So now I'm sitting here wondering when I should go back since I don't know when I'm having contractions...sorry it's long, but any thoughts?

They sent you home when you were dilated to 5? Why didn't they give you pitocin?

when you feel them, and they are consistent, go in

When you start feeling real contractions or your water breaks. My SIL was dilated at cm for the last 3 weeks of her pregnancy.
Trust me, you'll know when you're having real contractions.  

But I don't feel them....and I'm worried if I wait too long, without noticing them, that it'll be too late. And I told them I don't want the pitocin. When I was admitted my doctor said she would not be doing anything to progress it, that we would just see what happened....but the doctor on call wanted to start me on pitocin and I told them no.

you're so close to your due date I woulda took the pitocin at 5cm dilated.

Quoting Uh-Nis-Uh [EBF]:" They sent you home when you were dilated to 5? Why didn't they give you pitocin? "

Because she's not even 38 weeks and baby might just not be ready yet... And pitocin has risks and not everyone wants to mess with their hormones and increase their risk of cesarean...?

Quoting LeAnna Glenn:" But I don't feel them....and I'm worried if I wait too long, without noticing them, that it'll be too ... [snip!] ... progress it, that we would just see what happened....but the doctor on call wanted to start me on pitocin and I told them no."

try to be calm.
You didnt feel the ones when you were in the hospital cause they werent strong.
Trust me, when the real ones come, you WILL feel them. There will be NO mistake

<blockquote><b>Quoting Cat Abbott:</b>" Because she's not even 38 weeks and baby might just not be ready yet... And pitocin has risks and not everyone wants to mess with their hormones and increase their risk of cesarean...?"</blockquote>




Pretty much. When the baby is ready, it'll come. I am wanting as "natural" as possible, and didn't feel like that's what I wanted to do.

Quoting Cat Abbott:" Because she's not even 38 weeks and baby might just not be ready yet... And pitocin has risks and not everyone wants to mess with their hormones and increase their risk of cesarean...?"

I'm not telling her to take it, I was wondering why they didn't offer it. Most doctors push it on you before you're even dilated.

Quoting Uh-Nis-Uh [EBF]:" I'm not telling her to take it, I was wondering why they didn't offer it. Most doctors push it on you before you're even dilated. "

Ah, yes.
ETA: OP, like another poster said, you will know when you really are ready. And honestly, the few and far between births where the mom didn't know and ends up having baby at home are virtually all easy, uncomplicated births with a perfectly healthy mom and babe. I would count myself lucky if that were me!  

Quoting Cat Abbott:" Because she's not even 38 weeks and baby might just not be ready yet... And pitocin has risks and not everyone wants to mess with their hormones and increase their risk of cesarean...?"

I had pit with both my deliveries & not once was a section ever discussed. I'm just a slow dilater I guess *shrugs*

Quoting Cat Abbott:" Ah, yes."

trust me, I know all about pitocin, had it with both my kids, one was an emergency induction and the other I was overdue. I know how much doctors love it. lol

<blockquote><b>Quoting Uh-Nis-Uh [EBF]:</b>" I'm not telling her to take it, I was wondering why they didn't offer it. Most doctors push it on you before you're even dilated. "</blockquote>


Like I said MY doctor didn't want to start me on it, and I didn't want it, but the on call doctor wanted to start it and the nurse didn't know what to do when I told her no

Quoting LeAnna Glenn:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Uh-Nis-Uh [EBF]:</b>" I'm not telling her to take it, I was ... [snip!] ... on it, and I didn't want it, but the on call doctor wanted to start it and the nurse didn't know what to do when I told her no"

I understand why you don't want it, it sucks.