When to go to hospital in labour

“When do we actually go in?” is one of the most common late-pregnancy questions — and the honest answer is that it depends, but there are clear signs and good rules of thumb to guide you.

For a straightforward pregnancy, a widely used guide for established labour is the “5-1-1” rule: contractions about five minutes apart, each lasting around a minute, for at least an hour. Before that, early labour is usually best ridden out at home where you’re comfortable. But this is a guide, not a rule — your midwife or hospital will give you advice for your situation, especially if you’ve had a fast labour before, live a long way from hospital, or are having a planned caesarean.

Some things mean you should call or go in straight away, regardless of contraction timing: your waters breaking (note the time and the colour — and call immediately if the fluid is green, brown or bloody), any bleeding heavier than a “show”, a noticeable drop in your baby’s movements, severe or constant pain, or simply a feeling that something isn’t right. When in doubt, ring your maternity unit — they would always rather hear from you.

Have your hospital bag packed and in the car from around 36 weeks, and your maternity ward’s number saved in your phone. Handy things to have ready: your Medicare and any private health card, your birth preferences, comfortable clothes, toiletries, a phone charger, snacks, and going-home outfits for you and baby — plus the all-important approved car seat, fitted and ready to go.

It helps to know what happens when you call or arrive. The midwife on the phone will ask about your contractions, your waters and your baby’s movements, and may suggest you stay home a while longer or come in to be assessed. At the hospital they’ll check you and your baby and see how your labour is progressing — and it’s very common to be examined and sent home again if you’re still in early labour. A few situations need a call regardless of the 5-1-1 guide: if your waters have broken (even without contractions), if you’ve tested positive for group B strep, if you’ve had any bleeding, or if your baby’s movements have slowed — always go in to be checked for that last one. When you’re unsure, a phone call costs nothing and settles it.

Don’t drive yourself if you’re in active labour — have your support person take you, or call 000 if it’s urgent. And don’t worry about being “sent home” if it turns out to be early; that’s common, and not a failure — just your body taking its time.

Trust your instincts. You know your body, and the call is always yours to make — your care team is on the end of the phone, day or night.