When should you call during labor?
These are the reasons to call from 37 weeks of pregnancy onwards. If you are less than 37 weeks pregnant, please refer to the instructions on when to call during pregnancy.
Calling instructions during labor if you are expecting your first baby
- If you have had regular, painful contractions for two hours, occurring every 4–5 minutes and lasting approximately 60 seconds each.
- If your waters break and the baby's head has not yet engaged (dropped into the pelvis). Lie down immediately and call us. We will always let you know towards the end of your pregnancy whether the baby's head has engaged.
- If your waters break and the baby's head has engaged, check the color of the amniotic fluid. Try to collect a small sample of the fluid, or keep a wet pair of underwear or sanitary pad.
* Green or brown fluid means the baby has passed meconium (their first stool)
into the amniotic fluid. Contact the on-call midwife immediately.
* Clear fluid (no obvious color, although it may contain small white flecks of vernix). During the day, call the on-call midwife. At night, you do not need to call
immediately; you can wait until the following morning or until your contractions
are occurring every 4–5 minutes. - If you experience bright red bleeding. A small amount of blood-stained mucus is normal towards the end of pregnancy and during labor. However, if the bleeding is bright red and similar to a normal menstrual period or heavier, contact us immediately. Please keep any blood-soaked pads or materials.
- If you notice a significant decrease in your baby's movements. It is normal to feel your baby move less strongly towards the end of pregnancy because there is less room to move. However, if you are concerned or notice a clear difference compared to previous days, it is important to contact us at any time.
- If you are worried or unsure about anything, you are always welcome to call us.
Calling instructions during labor if you are expecting your 2nd (or more) baby
- If you have had regular, painful contractions for one hour, occurring every 4–5 minutes and lasting approximately 60 seconds each.
- If your contractions are irregular but very strong.
- If your waters break and the baby's head has not yet engaged (dropped into the pelvis). Lie down immediately and call us. We will always let you know towards the end of your pregnancy whether the baby's head has engaged.
- If your waters break and the baby's head has engaged, check the color of the amniotic fluid.
* Green or brown fluid means the baby has passed meconium (their first stool) into the amniotic fluid. Contact the on-call midwife immediately.
* Clear fluid (no obvious color, although it may contain small white flecks of vernix). During the day, call the on-call midwife. At night, you do not need to call immediately; you can wait until the following morning or until your contractions are occurring every 4–5 minutes. - Always try to collect a small sample of the amniotic fluid, or keep a wet pair of underwear or sanitary pad.
- If you experience bright red bleeding. A small amount of blood-stained mucus is normal towards the end of pregnancy and during labor. However, if the bleeding is bright red and similar to a normal menstrual period or heavier, contact us immediately. Please keep any blood-soaked pads or materials.
- If you notice a significant decrease in your baby's movements. It is normal to feel your baby move less strongly towards the end of pregnancy because there is less room to move. However, if you are concerned or notice a clear difference compared to previous days, it is important to contact us at any time.
- If you are worried or unsure about anything, you are always welcome to call us.
In some cases, we may give you specific instructions about when to call us during labor. For example, if you have given birth before and your labor progressed very quickly. If this applies to you, we will always discuss it with you during one of your antenatal appointments.
