When i go to hospital

If your waters have broken, you will probably be advised to go straight in. If your contractions have begun but your waters have not yet broken and you are in close proximity to the hospital or  maternity unit, wait until they are regularly coming about five minutes apart, lasting about 60 seconds, and they feel so strong that you want to be in hospital.

If you are planning a home delivery, follow the procedure you have discussed and agreed with your midwife in your birth plan and during your discussions about what you should do when abour begins. The examination by the midwife will be the same at home, in a hospital or a specialist maternity unit.

 What will happen in the maternity ward once i arrive??

Your arrival

If you are carrying your own notes then take them to the unit's admissions desk. You will then be taken to the labour ward, where a midwife will take you to your room and help you change into a hospital gown or a nightdress of your own.

Examination by the midwife

The midwife will ask you about what has been happening so far and will examine you. If you are having a home delivery, then this examination will take place at home. The midwife will:

  • Take your pulse, temperature and blood pressure and check your urine.
  • The babys position will be assesed by feeling your abdomen and also the babys heart will be listen to or recorded.
  • perform an internal examination to find out how much your cervix has opened  in order to determine  how far your labour has progressed.  

Throughout labour these checks will  be repeated at intervals to continously assess your progress. Show your midwife your birth plan so she knows what you want and also ask any questions that you may have.

Some women choose to have water births. The decision to have a water birth should be made and discussed with the midwife early on in the pregnancy so arrangments can be made well in advance. Many women find that this helps them to relax. It may be possible to deliver the baby in the pool if labour progresses normally.

Information sourced from:

https://www.nhs.uk/planners/pregnancycareplanner/Pages/PregnancyHome.aspx