Family Birth Center > Preparing For Childbirth > When To Go To The Hospital

When to go to the hospital

When labor begins, you may feel unsure about when you should go to the hospital. Talk with your doctor or certified nurse-midwife ahead of time and use these questions to help you decide.

1. Are your contractions so strong you no longer can talk at the same time and are having difficulty coping?
2. Have your contractions been three minutes to five minutes apart for more than an hour? How to time contractions.
3. Has your amniotic sac, or bag of water, ruptured?
4. Do you have a watery, bloody discharge (often bright red) with each contraction?

If care is provided by a doctor Call the Perinatal Evaluation and Treatment Unit (PETU) at 952-993-5250 and tell them you are coming to the hospital. If care is provided by a certified nurse-midwife (CNM) Call her answering service at 952-993-3123. Your CNM will tell you when to come to the hospital.