7- When should you come to hospital?

When should you go to the delivery room?

• If you are leaking fluid (your water may have broken), even if it is only a small amount
• If you have been having painful, regular contractions for over an hour (every 3–4 minutes if this is your first baby, and every 5–6 minutes from your second baby onwards)
• If you are bleeding fresh (red) blood.

At home, when you feel that labour has started:

• Ask your husband or birth partner to stay with you to help you relax.
• If labour has started but the contractions are still mild, relax and wait until they become more regular and intense.
• During contractions, relax by breathing calmly and ask your support person to massage any areas of your body that are causing discomfort.
• Feel free to take a warm bath to help you
• If your waters have broken and your doctor or gynaecologist has told you that you will need antibiotics during labour, you should go to the hospital as soon as possible, even if labour has not started or is only mild.

You will be welcomed and looked after throughout your stay in the delivery room by a team of midwives

Rules regarding accompanying persons on admission and in the delivery room