When should you actually go to the hospital in labour?
When should you actually go to the hospital in labour?
It’s one of the most common questions expecting parents have and the answer isn’t always “as soon as contractions start.”
For many people, early labour can be spent at home focusing on rest, hydration, nourishment and comfort while labour progresses and becomes more established.
You may have heard of the 5-1-1 guideline:
Contractions are about 5 minutes apart Each contraction lasts about 1 minute This pattern has continued for about 1 hourThis can be a helpful general guideline for recognizing when labour may be becoming more established, but it isn't a rule for everyone. Your care provider or planned place of birth may give you different instructions based on your pregnancy and individual circumstances. Always follow your caregivers guidance for when you should go to the hospital.
Knowing what early labour can look like, and having a plan for those first hours, can make the start of labour feel a lot less uncertain.
We cover how labour begins, the stages of labour, when to contact your care provider and when it may be time to head to your planned place of birth in our Prenatal & Newborn Classes.
Learn more at Belly to Birth www.bellytobirth.ca
