When should you go to your birth location?

As their due date approaches, many moms-to-be wonder how they’ll know when it’s time to go to their birth location. If this question is on your mind, check out the following tips.

When to go to the hospital or birthing centre

If your pregnancy is healthy and you’re at 37 weeks or more, it’s generally recommended that you call your doctor or midwife in the following situations to find out whether you should go to your birth location:

For a first pregnancy

• You experience regular, painful 60second contractions every 5 minutes or less for 1 hour.
• Your water breaks (loss of amniotic fluid). Loss of amniotic fluid should not be confused with the loss of your mucus plug. Losing your mucus plug doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re ready to give birth.

For a second or subsequent pregnancy

• You experience regular contractions lasting at least 45 seconds every 5 minutes or less for 1 hour. If you live more than 30 minutes from your birth location, go as soon as you’re having contractions every 10 minutes.

Our downloadable guide will help you calculate the duration and frequency of your contractions.
 

• Your water breaks (loss of amniotic fluid).

In general, labour progresses more quickly when you’ve given birth before. However, this may depend on how your previous delivery (or deliveries) went.

Talk to your doctor or midwife

Whether or not this is your first baby, you should discuss the birth with your doctor or midwife in the weeks leading up to your due date. They’ll be able to tell you when you should go to your birth location based on your previous delivery (or deliveries), the distance you need to travel, and your overall health.

If in doubt

Many women go to their birth location too soon because they believe they’re in active labour when they’re actually still in early labour. In addition, it can be difficult to tell the difference between real and false contractions.

If you arrive at your birth location prematurely, you’ll be asked to return home, as the initial phase of labour can be quite long. You’ll be more comfortable at home and have an easier time getting used to the contractions. You can return to your birth location once labour is more advanced.

If you have any doubts or if you think labour has started, call your midwife or your hospital’s birthing unit. They’ll help you determine whether you’re in labour and when you should go to your birth location.

Things to keep in mind

• Talk to your prenatal care provider about when you should go to your birth location.
• Regular contractions may signal that it’s time to go to your birth location.
• If you experience any warning signs (e.g., vaginal bleeding, less frequent baby movements), go to the hospital immediately.

Scientific review: Amélie Guay, M.Sc., PNC(C), perinatal advanced practice clinical nurse, CHUM Research and copywriting: The Naître et grandir team Updated: September 2020

Photo: iStock/GOSPHOTODESIGN