When to Come to Labor & Delivery
Signs of labor
- Contractions every 2-5 minutes apart, for at least an hour, that you have to breathe through (contractions are timed from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next contraction for at least an hour)
- Leaking or gushing of amniotic fluid
Labor complications or concerns
- Consistent, regular, painful contractions prior to 37 weeks gestation
- Bright red bleeding like a period (some spotting can be normal in the last few weeks of pregnancy if you’ve had intercourse or if your physician has recently checked your cervix)
- Not feeling baby move like normal (fewer than 10 fetal movements in a 2-hour period)
- Constant pelvic pain
- Severe, persistent headache (can be accompanied by dizziness, blurred vision, epigastric pain)
Scheduled induction
- Arrive at scheduled induction time
- Eat a light meal before arrival (not for cesarean sections)
- Come prepared with your bags and infant car seat
- Come before scheduled induction day and time for signs and symptoms of labor or complications/concerns
Scheduled cesarean section
- NPO (nothing by mouth) after midnight including gum, mints, smoking, or vaping
- Arrive 2 hours prior to your procedure. Please check-in at registration upon arrival (if before 7:00 am please use Emergency Department Registration)
- Please shower the evening before or the morning of your procedure
- Avoid lotions, perfumes, or oils on the abdomen
- ALL jewelry/metal piercings removed
- Please remove your contacts and bring your glasses with you
