When to go to hospital for labour

You’ve done it! Whether you’ve been staring at your watch wondering when the first signs of labour will finally turn up, or it’s come as a slightly early surprise, going into labour marks the start of a special journey that will be unique to you.

One of the biggest questions at this time, especially for first-time parents, is when to go to hospital in labour. It can be tricky to know whether you need to grab your hospital bag and head in straight away, or whether you might be better off staying at home for a while longer - especially during the early stages of labour. This can be dependent on a few things, including how your pregnancy’s been up until now and whether you’ve given birth before. To be on the safe side, it’s always best to get in touch with your hospital’s maternity unit as soon as you experience any of the early signs of labour to find out what to do and when.

Here we’ll take a closer look at when to go to hospital for labour and offer some practical tips to help you get ready to meet your baby. 

Once your labour starts, it can be hours or even days before you need to go to hospital and start getting ready to bring your baby into the world¹. There’s simply no way to pinpoint exactly when you’ll need to go to hospital once your labour starts. That’s why it’s always a good idea to call your maternity unit before you go to hospital, so your midwife can assess what stage of labour you’re at, and whether you need to be seen yet.

Often, during the early stages of labour (also called the latent phase), your midwife will advise you to stay at home. During this latent phase, your cervix starts to soften and dilate, and you might feel some early, irregular contractions. This is a good time to try to have something to eat and drink, as this will fuel your body ready to deliver your baby. If you can, it can also help to stay gently active in order to help your labour along¹.

It’s normal to feel a little impatient during the early stages of labour, especially if they’re lasting a while. But if you do go to hospital in your latent phase, you might be sent back home to wait a little longer, so always check with your maternity unit before you set off².

As a general rule, if your waters have broken and your contractions are getting more regular, your midwife might decide that you’re ready to go to the hospital. In that case, it’s time to pick up your hospital bag and maternity notes and get ready to go!

We’ve got lots more helpful advice and information to help you stay in the know throughout your pregnancy and birth, from the latent phase to the third stage of labour. Take a look at our article to help you understand the three stages of labour and how close you are to meeting your baby.

Get in touch with your midwife or maternity unit as soon as your labour starts. That way, you can get advice based on your individual circumstances and find out what the next best steps are².

Call your maternity unit straight away if²:

• Your waters break
• You have vaginal bleeding
• You can’t feel your baby moving, or they’re moving less than usual
• Your contractions are close together (3 or more every 10 minutes)
• You’re less than 37 weeks pregnant and experiencing signs of early labour

These could all be signs that you need to be seen immediately, so don’t wait until the next day, even if it’s the middle of the night².

Your midwife is there to support you, so if you’re worried about anything at all during your pregnancy and labour, give them a call for some advice and reassurance.

When you call your midwife, they’ll ask a few questions to better understand what stage you’re at in your labour.

As well as checking how you’re doing, they’ll want to know³:

• Whether your waters have broken or you’ve had any vaginal bleeding
• Whether your baby’s movements have changed
• How long you’ve been having contractions for, how far apart they are and how long they last

Based on the information you give them, your midwife will be able to let you know whether you should head to hospital or wait at home a little longer.

Contractions are one of the many signs that your baby is on their way to meet you. Just like labour in general, contractions are different for everyone. Find out more about what they might feel like here.

Usually, contractions in early labour start infrequently and then get more regular and intense as your labour progresses. Your midwife will probably advise that you stay at home until your contractions are²:

• Strong
• Regular (about 5 minutes apart)
• Last about 60 seconds each

It’s possible to get labour contractions confused with Braxton Hicks contractions, especially if this is your first time going into labour. We’ll go into more detail about Braxton Hicks contractions below.

If this is your first time experiencing labour, things tend to move a little more slowly. It can take between 8 and 18 hours to go from the first stage of established labour to being fully dilated².

If you’ve given birth before, things can move more quickly, and you might go from the first stage of labour to being ready to meet your new arrival in 5 to 12 hours². If this is your second or third pregnancy, you might need to go to the hospital earlier, but your midwife will tell you if that’s the case.

As a general rule of thumb, unless it’s a genuine emergency, it’s best to call your maternity unit in the first instance when you’re experiencing the early stages of labour. They’ll be able to tell you the best course of action to take and whether you need an ambulance.

You should call an ambulance if⁴:

• Your midwife has told you to
• Labour is progressing more quickly than expected, and you have a strong urge to push
• You’re experiencing heavy vaginal bleeding
• You’re experiencing sudden and severe abdominal pain
• You can see your baby’s umbilical cord outside of your vagina
• You’re having a medical emergency, such as breathing difficulties or fitting

Never be afraid to follow your instincts. You know your body and your pregnancy, so if you feel that something’s not quite right, then don’t hesitate to call an ambulance, especially if you’re on your own and unable to get to the hospital yourself.

If you’re having your baby at home, follow the procedure you’ve agreed with your midwife⁵. You can always call the hospital if you’re unsure or have any concerns.

When you’re waiting to meet your little one for the first time, every twinge can leave you wondering whether it’s time for your labour to begin.

Towards the end of your pregnancy, your body might start preparing for your baby’s arrival with Braxton Hicks contractions, also known as practice contractions². They might feel uncomfortable, a little like a ‘tightening’, but they don’t usually hurt. They don’t last very long, happen frequently, or build up as time goes on².

In contrast, contractions will get stronger, longer and more frequent as your labour progresses. If you put your hand on your stomach you’ll feel the muscles in your womb tightening².

If you’re in any doubt about whether you’re experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions or the real deal, get in touch with your midwife at the maternity unit.

While you’re still in early labour or the latent phase, you’ll probably be advised to stay home longer. Try to relax and allow things to progress naturally.

If you’re feeling any discomfort, you can try²:

• Walking or moving about to find a more comfortable position
• Breathing and relaxation techniques
• Having your birth partner rub your back
• Taking paracetamol (this is safe during labour as long as you have discussed this with your midwife and follow the instructions on the pack)
• Having a warm bath or shower
• Using a TENS machine⁶

Your birth partner could be your partner, friend or family member. They’re there to support you at every stage of your labour and birth so you can focus on bringing your baby into the world.

Here are a few things they can do to help you feel comfortable and relaxed:

• Call the maternity unit to keep them up to date on your progress
• Run you a warm bath
• Massage your back
• Grab any drinks or snacks you might need
• Set up the TENS machine
• Help you with any relaxation or breathing technique you’ve been practising 
• Support you while you try different positions