Tessa Quinn
Knowing when to go to the hospital when having contractions can be tricky. It is recommended that you contact your doctor or midwife when your contractions are five minutes apart and lasting 60 seconds, and you've had this activity for about an hour. If you've had a baby before, you may need to go to the hospital when your contractions are between five and ten minutes apart for an hour. Other reasons to go to the hospital include vaginal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, fever, or symptoms of preeclampsia. If your water breaks, you should also call your doctor, and they will advise you on the next steps.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency of contractions | 5 minutes apart for 1 hour for first-time mothers, 5-10 minutes apart for 1 hour for mothers who have given birth before |
| Length of contractions | 1 minute each |
| Distance from the hospital | If you live far away from the hospital, you may need to go sooner |
| Water breaking | If your water breaks, contact your provider right away. If you are less than 37 weeks pregnant, this is called preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) |
| Vaginal bleeding | If you have vaginal bleeding, contact your doctor or midwife |
| Placenta | If you have constant and severe abdominal pain or a fever, this may be a problem with your placenta |
| Preeclampsia | If you have abnormal swelling, severe or persistent headaches, vision changes, intense pain or tenderness in your upper abdomen, dizziness, or difficulty breathing, these may be symptoms of preeclampsia |
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What You'll Learn
Time your contractions
Timing your contractions is a helpful way to determine when to head to the hospital. Here are some guidelines and recommendations to assist you in making that decision:
Timing Techniques
- Start timing your contractions when they become stronger and more frequent. You can use a watch with a second hand, a stopwatch, or a mobile phone app to time them accurately.
- It is recommended to time at least three contractions in a row. Note the duration of each contraction and the interval between them.
- Count from the start of one contraction to the start of the next to measure the interval between contractions.
- You can also write down the times to keep track of when the contractions started and how long they lasted.
Guidelines for Heading to the Hospital
- According to the 5-1-1 guideline, you should consider heading to the hospital when your contractions are five minutes apart, lasting for one minute each, and have been occurring for at least one hour.
- If this is not your first pregnancy, you may follow the 5-10-1 guideline, which means contractions are between five and ten minutes apart, lasting for one minute each, for one hour.
- If you live far from the hospital, your healthcare provider may advise you to come in earlier.
- Other guidelines include 4-1-1 (contractions every four minutes), 3-1-1 (contractions every three minutes), or 3-1-2 (contractions every three minutes, lasting about a minute each, for two hours).
- Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions based on your individual situation, such as whether it's your first pregnancy or if there are any complications.
Other Factors to Consider
- Walking around during early labour can help speed things up and ease discomfort.
- If you experience vaginal bleeding, constant severe abdominal pain, or a fever, contact your healthcare provider as these may be signs of complications.
- If your water breaks, call your healthcare provider for guidance. They may advise you to wait at home or head to the hospital, depending on various factors.
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Call your doctor
- Vaginal bleeding. A small amount of blood and mucus discharge, known as "bloody show", is normal when the cervix starts to open. However, bright red bleeding, resembling a menstrual period, is not common and may indicate the need for immediate medical attention.
- Water breaking, especially if it occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy, which is known as preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM).
- Symptoms of preeclampsia, including abnormal swelling, severe or persistent headaches, vision changes, intense pain or tenderness in the upper abdomen, dizziness, or difficulty breathing.
- Constant and severe abdominal pain or a fever, which could indicate a problem with the placenta, such as placental abruption or an intrauterine infection.
- If you tested positive for group B streptococcus, you should go to the hospital as soon as your water breaks to start receiving antibiotics.
- If you are pregnant with multiples, have a high-risk pregnancy, or are less than 37 weeks pregnant, your prenatal care provider will give specific instructions on when to call or go to the hospital.
It is important to note that these are general guidelines, and you should always consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice and instructions.
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Water breaks
While it is often depicted in films that a woman's water breaks as a sign of the beginning of labour, in reality, only about 8% of women experience their water breaking. If your water breaks, you should contact your provider right away. They may advise you to wait at home until you have regular contractions or a certain amount of time has passed. However, if your water breaks before 37 weeks of pregnancy, it is called preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM), and you should contact your provider immediately.
Your water breaking may feel like a gush or a trickle. If you are experiencing a cesarean delivery, your water may not break at all. If you are at the hospital for labour and your water has not broken, your doctor or midwife may recommend breaking your water through a procedure called an amniotomy.
If you notice meconium in your amniotic fluid (it looks greenish or is streaked with green, brown, or yellow), you should head to the hospital right away, regardless of your contraction frequency.
It is important to note that the timing of contractions is also a critical factor in determining when to go to the hospital. Your doctor or midwife may recommend guidelines such as the 5-1-1 guideline, which means contractions are five minutes apart, lasting one minute each, and have been coming for an hour.
In summary, while water breaking is an important indicator, the decision to head to the hospital also depends on other factors, such as the timing and intensity of contractions, and the presence of meconium in the amniotic fluid. Always follow the advice of your healthcare provider.
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Vaginal bleeding
First Trimester
Third Trimester
When to Go to the Hospital
If you experience vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, contact your doctor or midwife. They may advise you to go to the hospital, especially if the bleeding is heavy or causing pain. Heavy bleeding may be a sign of placental abruption, where the placenta detaches from the womb wall, which can put both mother and baby at risk. In this case, a caesarean section is usually recommended. If you experience a fall or trauma, go to the hospital immediately as your body may go into labour.
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Preeclampsia symptoms
While contractions are a good indicator of when to go to the hospital, there are other symptoms that may indicate that you need to seek immediate medical attention. One of these is preeclampsia, a serious condition that can be dangerous because many of its signs are silent, while some symptoms resemble normal effects of pregnancy.
Preeclampsia is characterised by high blood pressure, proteinuria, and other signs of damage to the kidneys or other organs. It is sometimes referred to as a silent killer because blood pressure often rises without any noticeable symptoms. In addition to high blood pressure, signs and symptoms of preeclampsia may include:
- Excess protein in urine (proteinuria) or other signs of kidney problems
- Decreased levels of platelets in blood (thrombocytopenia)
- Increased liver enzymes, indicating liver problems
- Weight gain and swelling (edema), particularly in the face and hands
- Headaches, nausea, and aches and pains
- Vision problems, mental confusion, or altered behaviours
- Upper right belly pain
- A general feeling of illness or being unwell
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical advice immediately. Preeclampsia can lead to serious complications, including seizures, coma, stroke, or other brain injuries. It is also important to note that preeclampsia may increase your risk of future heart and blood vessel disease.
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Frequently asked questions
If this is your first baby, you should head to the hospital when your contractions are five minutes apart, lasting for one minute each, and have been coming for an hour or more. This is known as the 5-1-1 rule.
If you've had a baby before, labour tends to be quicker. You should head to the hospital when your contractions are between five and ten minutes apart for one hour.
If you're unsure, it's always best to call your doctor or midwife. They will ask you questions about your pregnancy and assess your labour. They will also check your baby's position and heartbeat.
Yes, you should head to the hospital if you experience vaginal bleeding, constant and severe abdominal pain, or a fever. You should also seek medical attention if you experience any symptoms of preeclampsia, such as abnormal swelling, severe or persistent headaches, vision changes, or difficulty breathing.
