When to Call Your Midwives
Urgent concerns
Call anytime 24/7
You should page your midwives for any clinically urgent concern about your or your baby’s health. Some examples include:
Active labour (1st baby: 3-2-1 contractions | 2nd or more baby: 5-1-1 contractions)
If this is your first labour: 3-2-1 pattern. Strong contractions (you have to stop what you are doing and breath through) that start every 3 minutes AND each contraction lasts 1 minute AND this pattern has been consistent for 2 hours.
If this is not your first labour: 5-1-1 pattern. Strong contractions (you have to stop what you are doing and breath through) that start every 5 minutes AND each contraction lasts 1 minute AND this pattern has been consistent for 1 hour.
These are general guidelines. Your midwife will discuss with you if your individual circumstances (e.g. long distance from hospital or history of fast labours) require you to call at a different time.
Bleeding: bright red active vaginal bleeding, wear a pad to help assess the amount
Labour or rupture of membranes (“water breaking”) before 37 weeks
Decreased fetal movement: if you notice your baby is moving less than normal, lie down in a quiet place to count movements. If you feel fewer than 6 movements in 2 hours, or if you are still concerned please page your midwife.
Rupture of membranes after 37 weeks and any of the following:
you are Group B Strep (GBS) positive
the amniotic fluid is any colour other than clear or lightly pink (eg. green, brown)
you have a fever
you notice a foul odour
decreased fetal movement
If you think you need to go to the hospital or require immediate assessment
Call during daytime (8am to 8pm)
Rupture of membranes (“water breaking”) with: clear fluid, normal fetal movement, you are GBS neg, and not in active labour (please page within 8hrs if occurring overnight)
If you need support in early labour: irregular mild cramping/contractions, light spotting, loss of mucous plug
When paging, please leave a brief message with your full name, weeks of pregnancy, and your reason for paging. When your midwife returns your call, your phone will display “No Caller ID.” Please ensure your ringer is on and that your phone accepts calls from blocked callers.
If you do not hear back within 15 minutes, please page again. In the rare event of not being able to reach your midwife, please contact Penticton Regional Hospital and ask to speak to Labour and Delivery.
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During early labour, contractions help your body prepare for labour by lowering your baby into your pelvis and making your cervix thinner (effacement), softer, and more open (dilation 0-5cm). Early labour can last a long time (a few days) especially if it is your first baby, or may be much shorter (a few hours).
NORMAL Signs of Early Labour
Irregular contractions. These contractions can be uncomfortable or painful and are usually irregular in frequency, length, and intensity. For example, they might be every 5-20 minutes, last anywhere from 20-90 seconds, and may start and stop over days. It is common for some contractions to be stronger or longer than others. Contractions will be farther apart when resting, and closer together when upright and moving around.
Cramping or tightening
Diarrhea
Increased vaginal discharge
Loss of mucous plug
"Show"/spotting (mucous with small amounts of pink, red, or brown blood)
What You Can Do
REST - Tylenol and Gravol are safe to take in pregnancy and can help you rest. Being well-rested for active labour is one of the most important ways you can prepare.
Have a warm shower or bath. This often makes contractions shorter and less frequent.
Eat and drink. Your body is working hard, and often with the discomfort, people don’t feel like eating much. Frequent small snacks are important to fuel your body with the energy it needs for labour. Hydration is so important. If your body is dehydrated it may affect your labour progress. Continue to sip water throughout early labour
Distract yourself by continuing your usual activities as long as possible. Watch a movie, go for a walk, play a game, bake something.
Empty your bladder often.
Miles Circuit. This can help your baby get into an optimal position for labour.
Stay Positive. You have waited a long time for this day, and it is finally happening--your baby is coming! But labour takes time, and your body needs to go through each stage in order to bring your baby safely into the world. This is a good time to read positive affirmations, look at pictures of your baby’s ultrasound, and be with your partner or loved ones who can encourage you when the night feels long.