When to go to the hospital in labour
Go in when your contractions are regular, getting stronger and closer together. A common rule is contractions about every 5 minutes for an hour, but ask your midwife or hospital what they want you to do. Call or go straight away if your waters break, you bleed, your baby moves less than usual or contractions start before 37 weeks.
False labour or real labour?
| Feature | False labour | Real labour |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | irregular | regular and closer together |
| Strength | doesn’t build up | stronger and longer |
| After moving or a warm shower | often eases | doesn’t stop |
| Pain | usually at the front | often from the back to the front |
When to go in with contractions
Hospitals use different thresholds. In the US, a common rule is contractions about every 5 minutes, lasting about a minute, for an hour (5-1-1). The NHS advises contacting your maternity unit when you have about 3 contractions every 10 minutes. Second and later labours are often faster, so leave earlier, especially if the hospital is far away.
Call or go straight away if
- your waters break, especially if they are green, brown or smell unpleasant
- you have vaginal bleeding
- your baby is moving less or less often than usual
- contractions start before 37 weeks
- you have strong, constant tummy pain that doesn’t ease between contractions
- you have a fever, a severe headache, problems with your vision or sudden swelling of your face and hands
Call the hospital even without contractions. Note the time and colour of the waters and use a pad, not a tampon. The hospital will tell you whether to come in now. A packed bag helps: hospital bag checklist.
Calm Parent
The contraction timer in the app measures duration and intervals with one button, and the screen stays on while you time. No ads, 14 days of Premium free.
Get it on Google PlaySources
- NHS: Signs that labour has begun (nhs.uk)
- NHS: What happens if your waters break early (nhs.uk)
- ACOG: How to Tell When Labor Begins (acog.org)
This article is for information only and does not replace medical advice. If something worries you, contact a doctor. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.