When to call

Your body is changing and that can be exciting and scary at the same time! Whether this is your first baby or not – no two pregnancies are the same and there are several signs to be on the lookout for! Knowing when to reach out to your midwife is an important part of feeling supported and confident throughout your pregnancy. While many changes you experience are completely normal, there are times when checking in can provide clarity, reassurance, and timely care. We encourage you to trust your instincts — if something feels different, concerning, or simply unclear, your midwife is here to listen, guide, and help you decide what’s needed. Below is an overview of situations where reaching out is especially important.

If any of these signs occur, please call us right away at (561) 300-0600:

• Severe lower abdominal pain or cramping
• Heavy bleeding from your vagina
• Uterine contractions or rhythmic lower back pain – more than 6 times per hour before 37 weeks
• Gush or trickle of fluid from your vagina
• Decreased movement of the baby after 28 weeks
• Pain or burning during urination
• Temperature is greater than 100.4 degrees

In a true emergency, always call 911.

Fetal Activity

Women typically experience the first signs of movement between 18 and 22 weeks. After 28 weeks, we recommend doing fetal kick counts daily. Choose a time during the day when your baby is typically active. You should feel 10 movements within that hour. Remember that babies have sleep cycles. If you have not felt your baby move in for a couple hours, eat, drink a large glass of cold water and lay down on your side. You should feel at least 10 movements within the next hour. If you do not feel adequate movement, please call us at (561) 300-0600.

You may be anxious as to “WHEN TO GO” to the hospital, how will I know? Don’t worry – very rarely does it happen like in the movies… there will be several signs that you are moving into early labor and ultimately active labor.

Early labor signs

This is a good opportunity to give us a call and let us walk through your symptoms so together we can walk through a plan!

• Contractions might start that aren’t too strong, they may feel regular or could even come and go
• You might also feel your little one moves around and kick more than they usually do or feel additional pressure of the baby “dropping” into place. This is likely because they are making their way down head first (hopefully) into your birth canal.
• As your birth canal opens, the mucus plug to your cervix may pop out. Don’t be alarmed! This is exciting and natural – you may even see a clear, pink, or even red glob or discharge in your underwear, or notice it when you wipe after using the toilet.

Active labor signs

We should be checking in and monitoring your progress once in active labor, so we can decide when it is time to head to the hospital.

• Contractions are stronger, more regular, and happen closer together in active labor. It’s a good idea to time them. Write down when your contractions happen and how long they last.
• Contractions usually are 3 to 4 minutes apart, lasting about 60 seconds
• Your water may break! Remember, we want to hear from you if this happens!