When to call us
An obstetrician is available 24 hours a day for emergencies and deliveries.
Every birth goes differently, but there are some helpful guidelines you can use to determine if it’s a good time to call us. Think of this as a guideline, but most importantly, follow your gut. Are there any questions or concerns? Do you feel like it’s going really fast or could you use some extra support from us as you handle the contractions? Feel free to call us!
1Contractions
- When you go into labor for the first time, call when you have regular, painful contractions for an hour , coming every 3-4 minutes and lasting 60 seconds.
- Have you given birth before? If so, call when contractions come every 5 minutes and last about 60 seconds.
2Broken membranes
- When the baby's head has descended and the amniotic fluid is clear you may call us immediately during the day. At night you do not call right away but wait until 9:30 or until you have contractions as described above. It is nice for us if you collect some amniotic fluid in a glass and keep your wet underpants or sanitary napkins. This makes it easier to judge if your waters have indeed broken and if the amniotic fluid is clear in color.
- When we have indicated during the consultation that the baby's head has not yet descended, we would like you to call us immediately when the waters have broken. This is regardless of the time of day or the presence or absence of contractions.
- Also, if the amniotic fluid is brown, yellow or green, we want you to call us immediately. The baby may have defecated in the amniotic fluid. Should this be the case, it is a reason to transfer the delivery to the gynecologist.
3Blood loss
- Blood loss during labor is normal, but there is a limit to the amount. If you have a full pad within a short time (30-60) minutes, call us immediately.
- You may also lose the mucous plug, again this is normal and without contractions is not a sign that labor has begun. Losing the mucous plug may be accompanied by some blood loss. You do not need to call us about this.