When to go to the hospital?

Labor can begin with contractions or breaking of water. This section provides instructions on when the mother should go to the hospital when she goes into labor. 

Always phone the hospital before leaving home! 
- Contact information
If you are unsure about whether you should go to the hospital or have other questions in your mind, please contact your hospital for advice. 

 

Contact the hospital
if you have any of the following symptoms


Heavy bleeding

  • Come to the hospital immediately. (NB! In the late stage of pregnancy, mucous discharge containing blood is quite normal.)
  • If you are bleeding copiously, call an ambulance to take you to the hospital.


Severe and persistent pain

  • Come to the hospital immediately.
  • If you experience severe pain with bleeding or discharge, call an ambulance to take you to the hospital immediately.
  • If you are in pain and feel an urge to push, call an ambulance to take you to the hospital.
       

Suspected breaking of water

  • Put on a sanitary pad and check if more fluid is discharged and what color it is. If more fluid is clearly discharged, contact the maternity hospital’s emergency outpatient clinic/ward or labor ward for advice.
  • If the fluid contains blood or is green, if your baby is in breech presentation, or if you are expecting twins, come to the hospital immediately.
       

Painful and/or regular contractions which gain in intensity (5-10 minute intervals) and persist after a few hours of bed rest.

  • Contact the emergency outpatient clinic/ward or labor ward of your maternity hospital.


Fetal movements do not seem normal

  • Contact the maternity hospital’s emergency outpatient clinic/ward or labor ward for instructions.


Acute symptoms including severe headache, vision disturbances, pain in your upper abdomen, intense itch in the soles of your feet, palms of your hands, or abdomen.

  • Contact the maternity hospital’s emergency outpatient clinic/ward or labor ward for instructions.

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