When you believe that you are in labor, call your doctor to find out whether it's time to go to the hospital now.

Fetal Kick Counts

If your baby stops moving, you need to get checked right away. Count your baby's movements daily after 28 weeks and call your doctor if any of the following happens:

• You count fewer than 10 movements an hour.
  
  
• It takes the baby longer and longer to move 10 times.
  
  
• You have not felt your baby move all day (12 hours).

Your baby is considered "at term" at the 38th week of pregnancy and by then is ready to be born. You need special attention if you start to go into labor before the baby is at term. Be sure to call your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms before 38 weeks:

• Lower back pain that is not relieved by changing positions.
  
  
• Pelvic pressure (feeling like the baby is going to come out).
  
  
• Four or more contractions per hour, with or without pain.
  
  
• Bleeding or a change in vaginal discharge.
  
  
• Severe abdominal pain; gas pains with or without diarrhea.

If you are at term, call your doctor when you experience any of these symptoms:

• Contractions are regular (every 5-7 minutes) and last 60 seconds or longer.
  
  
• Contractions continue even when you change positions or walk.
  
  
• Contractions are increasing in strength and developing into a regular pattern.
  
  
• Your water breaks (the fluid-filled sac around your baby breaks and leaks from your vagina). It's important to get to the hospital if this happens!

• If it's daytime and you're in labor, go to the Beatrice Riggs Women's Center and check in at the Maternity Reception desk.
  
  
• If it's night and if there is any complication, go directly to the Emergency Department. Emergency staff will make sure you're checked in and brought directly to the Baby of Mine Center.

You will be admitted to a private Labor and Delivery room and a nurse, your OB/GYN, and our staff will watch your progress. You will stay in this same room for your delivery unless you need a C-section or there are special circumstances. Your partner can stay with you at all times during Labor and Delivery.

When the baby is born normally or by C-Section, an APGAR is taken, a vitamin K injection and antibiotic eye ointment are administered, and your baby is returned to you as soon as possible for breastfeeding. Your baby stays with you in your room at all times, unless there are complications or you need extra rest.

If a C-Section is Required

If your OB/GYN determines that you need a C-Section, you will be moved to an operating suite for the procedure. Afterward, you stay as long as the doctor recommends in a semi-private recovery room. Visiting rules may vary, depending on circumstances.

Videotaping

You are welcome to videotape before and after, but usually not during delivery. Please ask the doctor and nurses for permission to videotape.