Labor and Child Birth

Heading to the Hospital

When can I go to the hospital?

You can go any time depending on your tolerance but most are advised to go after an hour of contractions that are 5-10 minutes apart. You will probably know by instinct and knowledge when to go but there are certain situations where you should not wait at all. They are the following:

• If the water bag breaks
• If the colour of the amniotic fluid is brown or green. This is because of meconeum staining of the amniotic fluid which may mean that the baby is compromised in some way.
• If you have been told previously that you are group B streptococcal positive
• If there is bleeding accompanied by abdominal pains or is more than 5-10 ml.
• If there is mucus discharge and you are less than 36 weeks.
• In case you have been having any medical problems or complications.

When do you have to rush or show your doctor?

• In any case of bleeding or watery discharge from the vagina
• Whenever there is decreased fetal movements or no fetal movement
• There is persistent headache and/or blurring of vision
• There is persistent vomiting with/without headache
• There is sharp/shooting or continuous abdominal pain
• You feel uterine cramps or contractions
• There is sudden appearance of swelling on the face and neck
• Your bag of water breaks
• There is burning micturition / increased frequency of micturition / hesitancy during urination
• You have high grade fever
• You have severe diarrhea which is foul smelling and frequent

How do I know when I am in labor and it is a true contraction?

1. Here are some facts to determine if you are experiencing true labor pains or not.

• True labor pains occur every 5 minutes.
• It starts from your back and comes in front.
• The labor pains lasts for a minute each.
• You may find it extremely difficult to walk or talk during the pains.
• Changing positions, activities or shower will not reduce the pains.
• During a contraction, your stomach may be as hard as your forehead.

2. Your cervix will become progressively thinner and softer (also called effacement) and dilate up to 10 centimeters at the end.

3.  You may have persistent lower back pain, often accompanied by a crampy premenstrual feeling.

4. There might be leaking amniotic fluid

5. There might be scanty amount of bleeding and the mucus plug gets discharged. This is also called a ‘Bloody show'

How do I time my contractions?

• To time the length of the contraction, start timing at the start of the contraction and stop when the contraction stops.
• To time the frequency, check the time when the contraction starts and count until the beginning of the next.

Can I have an enema?

Do not worry. It is not a must again. It is your choice, because when you push your baby out, you may have a bowel push as well. To avoid embarrassment, one can go ahead with an enema.

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