Going To The Hospital

HOW TO KNOW YOU'RE IN LABOR

Signs of term labor (37+ weeks):

Regular, painful contractions that continue despite rest or movement
Contractions that become stronger, longer, and closer together
Sensations in the lower back, abdomen, or pelvis

To time contractions, measure from the start of one contraction to the start of the next. Most contractions last 25–60 seconds.

Call when contractions are about 5 minutes apart for 2 hours or more, unless your provider has given you different instructions based on your history.

Your water breaks
Call the office right away if you experience a large gush of fluid or continuous leaking of fluid. If this happens, note the time your water broke and the color of the fluid (clear, brown, green, etc). If you are 37+ weeks and your GBS test is negative, you may be advised to labor at home for a short time. Please still call so we can guide you.

Mucus plug / “bloody show”
You do not need to call if you pass your mucus plug unless you begin having regular contractions or you think your water has broken. This can be a normal sign your body is preparing for labor.

Call the office if you have:

Contractions meeting the timing guidelines above
Decreased or absent fetal movement
Bright red vaginal bleeding
A gush or continuous leaking of fluid

Fetal Movement

You should continue to feel regular baby movements, even near your due date. Call if movements are significantly decreased or stop, or you do not feel at least 10 movements within 1 hour after a meal. You may be asked to come in for monitoring.

When You Call

Please call the office at 615-340-4655. We prefer to speak directly with the patient whenever possible. Be ready to share: