Signs of Labor
These guidelines apply after 37 weeks
After you have reached 37 weeks, you are considered full-term. Only at this point in pregnancy do the following guidelines apply:
If this is your first baby, for routine labor pains you should try to wait, and call us once the contractions are regular, about every 5 minutes, lasting 45 to 60 seconds, and are strong and uncomfortable (it is difficult to talk through the contraction) and this has been continuing for about 1-2 hours.
The “5-1-1” rule
Contractions every 5 minutes, 1 minute long, for 1 hour (and strong - meaning it would be difficult to talk or walk during a contraction)
If this is not your first baby
- Call when the contractions are regular, about every 6-8 minutes and uncomfortable (not yet painful)
- Basically, when you feel like you are in labor, you probably are.
Call if the water bag breaks (or leaks)
Also, if there has been any leakage of fluid per vagina that could be amniotic fluid, you should call us.