You should make your way to the hospital if:
- You’re at 37 weeks or more and are experiencing contractions that are close together and painful.
- If it’s your first baby: every 5 minutes for 2 hours
- If it’s your second baby: every 5 minutes for 1 hour
- Loss of amniotic fluid
If you think that your water has broken, wear a sanitary pad for one hour. If after an hour the discharge on the pad is clear, pinkish or brownish, regardless of whether it’s a small amount or a significant amount, make your way to the Mother-Child Unit within two hours, even if you’re not having contractions. - Bleeding
Note: You may experience a small amount of bleeding within 24 hours of a vaginal exam or sexual intercourse. This is common and not serious. However, if the blood is bright red and heavy enough to soak a sanitary pad, go to the Mother-Child Unit immediately. - Decrease in baby’s movements.
- Abdominal pain that persists between contractions.
When possible, we suggest calling before leaving your house so that the team has time to prepare your medical file and get ready for your arrival.
Birthing Centres Contact Details
Risk Factors
If your doctor has told you that you have any of the following conditions, don’t wait to come to the Birthing Centre:
- Placenta previa
- Fetal growth restriction
- Gestational hypertension
- Low amniotic fluid
- If you’re planning a vaginal birth after a caesarean section (C-section)
You do not need to come to the hospital if:
- You are not yet at 36 weeks: if you have contractions, call the birthing centre.
- You lose your mucus plug. The mucus plug consists of a jelly-like substance that resembles raw egg whites with tinges of pink or brownish discharge. During pregnancy, it protects the uterus from contamination. The partial or total loss of the mucus plug can occur as of the 35th week of pregnancy. It is not a sign that your baby is about to be born.