When to Go to the Hospital for Labour? Know the signs of Labor

Table of Contents

• Common Signs of Labour

• Early Labour Signs

• Active Labour Signs

• How often are your contractions?

• How to time contractions?

• How do you know when it’s time to go to the hospital for labour?

• What you should do when your water breaks?

• What to do when labour starts?

• When to Go to the Hospital for Labour?

• Conclusion

• FAQs On Hospital for Labour

Introduction

An expectant mother is bound to different feelings as she prepares to deliver her baby. It is normal to feel excited and nervous at the same time. It is thus important to discuss your signs and symptoms with your partner and healthcare provider to understand what you might expect.

When your pregnancy begins to wrap up, your body will start to get ready for labour and delivery. This is the process through which you will deliver your baby. Labour experience is often different from one person to the other. Some women have short-lived labours, while others experience long and difficult labours. In some cases, labour may stall and call for medical intervention.

In this blog, we will help you recognize the signs and when to go to the hospital for labour.

Common Signs of Labour

There are several signs that your labour is about to begin. These include:

• Contractions whereby your womb tightens and then relaxes.

• Frequent cramps and backache.

• Your water starts to break.

• Repeated urge to go to the washroom.

• Vaginal bleeding.

• Cervix starts to dilate.

• Diarrhoea.

• Fatigue

• Your baby drops and foetal movements stagnate.

Early Labour Signs

Also known as pre-labour symptoms, early labour signs that can occur from a full month to barely hours before active labour include:

• Your Baby drops 

For first-time mothers, expect your baby to drop or descend into your pelvis. This can happen two to four weeks before your labour starts, but it may vary due to various reasons.

During subsequent deliveries, this lightening feeling may not happen until an expectant mother is in labour. Your baby drops when making its way out. Its head is down and low. You may experience frequent urges to urinate because the baby’s head is pushing down on your bladder.

On the better side, you will have more breathing space since the baby is getting away from your lungs.

• Cervix starts dilating

Since your cervix is also preparing for delivery, it starts to open up and thin out a few weeks or days before you deliver. Your healthcare provider will be in a better position to physically examine your pregnancy at your weekly checkups.  You shouldn’t be worried about the rate at which your cervix is dilating. It may vary due to some reasons.

• Increased Back pain and cramps

Cramping and increased pain in your lower back may become prevalent when your labour nears. This is common especially for first-time mothers. This is a sign that your muscles and joints are stretching in readiness for delivery.

• Joints become loose

During pregnancy, a hormone called relaxin makes your ligaments slightly loosen up. Prior to labour, Joints all over your body start to loosen and become more relaxed. This indicates that your pelvis is opening up for your little bundle of joy to come out.

• Diarrhoea

The same way your uterine muscles are relaxing in readiness for delivery also applies to other muscular tissues in your body, including those in your rectum. This can trigger pre-labour diarrhoea. Staying hydrated is paramount at this stage.

• Pregnancy weight gain becomes stagnant 

Pregnancy weight gain usually stops near delivery. Some expectant moms even lose a few pounds. This is common and doesn’t affect your baby’s birth weight. A drop in the levels of amniotic fluid, increased activity and frequent urge to go to washrooms accounts for weight loss.

• Renewed fatigue

Your large belly, compressed bladder, and increased activity can deprive your energy levels.  It can be difficult to get restful sleep at night during the last weeks to days of pregnancy.  It is thus important to take naps frequently whenever you can.

Active Labour Signs

During active labour, which normally lasts between 4 and 8 hours, your contractions become regular while your cervix dilates up to 6 centimetres. It is during this stage that you should head to the hospital. Some of the symptoms you should never ignore include:

• Contractions become stronger and more painful. Each may last up to a minute and can occur at an interval of 3 minutes.

• Extreme pressure in your lower back and cramping in your legs.

• A strong urge to push.

• Your cervix expands up to 10 centimetres.

• Your water breaks.

• You may develop a stomach ache.

• Difference between Real labour vs. false labour 

There are some major differences between true labour and false labour. False labour contractions can start during your second trimester. They can be concerning but you shouldn’t be worried about them. The following questions can help to determine whether your contractions are real or false,  

How often are your contractions?

In false labour, contractions are irregular and don’t occur close to each other.

In true labour, contractions follow a regular pattern and lasts between 30 and 70 seconds. They are intense and close to each other.

• Do they change with physical activity?

In false labour, contractions may stop when you engage in a physical activity or during rest.  They can also disappear if you adjust positions.

In true labour, contractions will still occur even if you move, rest or change positions.

• How severe are your contractions? 

In false labour, contractions are normally weak and don’t become stronger. Or they may start strong and eventually become weak.

In true labour, contractions continually become stronger at a stable pace.

• Where do you feel pain? 

In false labour, you may not feel any pain, but some discomforts can occur in front of your stomach.

In true labour, you may experience some pain in your lower back which then shifts to the front of your stomach. Or the pain can start in front of your stomach and move to your back.

• Are there other symptoms? 

In false labour, you don’t experience other symptoms.

Other symptoms such as water breaking and bleeding can be experienced in true labour.

How to time contractions?

Contractions happen when the muscles of your uterus tighten and then relax. These contractions help to push the baby from your womb. When in true labour, you will experience regular contractions at an interval of 5 to 10 minutes. Each contraction can last about 30 to 70 seconds. They can be so intense that walking or talking becomes difficult. Since these are signs that labour has begun, it is important to write down the time it takes from one contraction to the next. Also, note down how strong they are for an hour. Try to walk or change position to see if these contractions stop.

How do you know when it’s time to go to the hospital for labour?

During early labour, contractions tend to be mild and irregular. It would help if you remained at home where you feel comfortable at this stage. If your contractions become painful and regular, each lasting one minute and happening every five minutes for more than two hours, it’s time you should go to the hospital. You are shifting from early to active labour. 

What you should do when your water breaks?

When your water breaks, you should go to the hospital regardless of whether you are experiencing contractions. It is worth noting down the colour, smell and amount of fluid when your water breaks. 

What to do when labour starts?

If you feel that you are in active labour, this is when to call your doctor or midwife to inform them about your progress. You should also note down how regular your contractions are and how long each is lasting.

Countercheck that you have everything you need for labour in your hospital bag. Remember to carry all your pregnancy notes. Even if you are planning a home birth, ensure your hospital bag is packed in the event of the unknown.

Stay relaxed as much as you can. Use all the techniques you have learned, like napping or breathing exercises.    

When to Go to the Hospital for Labour?

If you see these symptoms, go to the hospital immediately

• Your water breaks.

• Your baby starts moving less than usual.

• You start bleeding.

• Contractions become regular, and painful, coming every five minutes, and each lasting more than 60 seconds.

Conclusion

Most labourers can take anywhere between hours and days. Most moms enjoy plenty of time at home before they go to the hospital or birth centre to deliver. Getting familiar with the signs of labour, and how they progress, can make you feel calm and cope well during early labour.

As an expectant mother, it is important to note down all the symptoms you experience. You will be able to recognize the transition from early to active labour. Remember to counter-check that you have everything in your hospital bag and remember to carry your entire pregnancy notes. Inform your birth partner and midwife and go to the hospital immediately after you realise that you are in active labour.