Women's Excellence in
Labor Instructions

Signs of Labor:

• Regular contractions: uterine tightening with menstrual-like pain &/or backache, off and on, that does not stop with changing your position.
• Water breaks: gush of water or constant leaking that could be clear, yellow or green. It may continue to soak your clothes even if you empty your bladder.
• Bloody show or mucus plug: slight bleeding when you wipe, or thick mucus with or without blood tinges in it. The mucus plug can come out weeks before labor also.

Coping with Early Labor:

• Walk around with rest periods as you need them.
• Breathe and relax with painful contractions.
• Drink fluids and eat lightly if you desire. (No food will be given to you in the hospital during labor).
• Empty your bladder every two hours.
• Take a shower, it will relax you.
• Make sure you have your bag packed.
• Have transportation and child care alerted.

When to go to the Hospital:

• Water breaks: go the hospital even if you are not having contractions. If you are having contractions, go immediately because labor may go faster after the water breaks.
• Heavy bleeding: blood running down your legs or like a period, go the hospital.
• 1st baby: go to the hospital when your contractions are 3 minutes apart, lasting 60 seconds.
• 2nd or more baby: go to the hospital when your contractions are 5 minutes apart, lasting 60 seconds (7 minutes if you have fast labors).
• Go to the hospital if you haven’t felt your baby move or if something just doesn’t seem right.

The doctor on call will be called by the staff at the hospital after you have been checked. You do not need to call the doctor unless you have a question or concern that can’t wait.

Contact Women’s Excellence during regular business hours if you have a question about the signs of labor or need to schedule your prenatal appointment.