Know when it's time.
Stay home, call, or go now. A short guide for the moment you think labour might be starting, from a midwife who has supported over 1,000 women through pregnancy, labour and birth.
- The signs of early labour, and what helps at home
- My 1:5:1:1 rule for when to call your maternity provider
- "Talk to the hand": the sign labour is becoming established
- The signs it's time to go to your place of birth
- What to have ready when you call
- The signs that mean get help now
- A section for your partner
Knowing when to go changes everything.
"I did a lot of preparation for my birth but what helped me most was knowing when to go to hospital."
A mum"I wasn't timing every little niggle or panicking about whether I should call. It felt like I had a plan."
A mum"The biggest thing for me was knowing what I was supposed to be looking for."
A birth partnerA midwife for over 30 years.
I've worked in labour wards, at home births, in antenatal education and in one-to-one maternity support. The question I hear most isn't "what will labour feel like?" It's "how will I know when it's time?" This guide is my short answer.
This guide is general information. It isn't medical advice and doesn't replace your own midwife or doctor. If your maternity provider has given you their own instructions, follow theirs.