Pregnant when do i go to the hospital

Yes, this seems like a really long time to wait, especially when you have so many questions! Make an appointment. This is to make sure you have the best prenatal care plan for you and your baby. Write down your questions and bring them with you to your first appointment.

Check out our suggested list of questions here. There are many good options for over-the-counter prenatal vitamins. Look for one with at least mcg of folic acid and make sure it includes DHA, which is a supplement that can help promote brain and eye development. DHA is also found in fish, so adding low-mercury fish to your diet is beneficial for you and your baby. Apps like myHealthyPregnancy can help you track appointments, educate yourself and provide other tools that will be useful throughout your pregnancy.

If you have pelvic pain or vaginal bleeding at any time during your pregnancy, call your clinic immediately. In fact, there are many reasons a pregnant woman might visit Labor and Delivery, and here are four of them: You have contractions: Contractions are the most obvious reason.

However, many women aren't sure when it's time to head to the hospital. If you are preterm, or less than 37 weeks, you should go to Labor and Delivery if you are having contractions an hour, which is only every minutes. You should also go if you're having other signs of preterm labor, such as constant or intermittent lower abdominal pain or lower back pain, any kind of pressure , leaking of fluid, bleeding, or increased vaginal discharge associated with pain.

If you are full term, or over 37 weeks, it's time to go to Labor and Delivery once your contractions are minutes apart. You increase your chances of staying at the hospital if your contractions have been going on at that rate for at least two hours. Your water breaks: When this happens, it's not always obvious.

You may or may not be contracting when it happens. A woman's water will break spontaneously 10 percent of the time, meaning that usually it has to be done for you in the hospital. When your water breaks, it will probably feel like you just peed your pants.

This is totally normal! What happens when you arrive at the hospital in labor. What to bring to your labor and delivery. Labor and birth. Office on Women's Health. Join now to personalize. Photo credit: iStock. How can I prepare for my arrival at the hospital when I go into labor?

What do I do when I get to the hospital? What happens next? What happens once I'm admitted? Can I wait to see if I need an IV or fetal monitoring? Pack a bag. Well before your due date, you and your partner should prepare a bag with the items you'll need Map out the most direct route to the hospita l or birth center. Find out where to park, keeping in mind that you'll be leaving your car for at least 24 hours, and find out where you should enter if you arrive after hours. Take a tour.

Most hospitals offer scheduled tours of the obstetrical floor. It's a good idea to take advantage of one of them if you can. The more familiar you are with your surroundings, the less intimidating labor will seem.

Complete paperwork. At some hospitals, you can register ahead of time, so most of the paperwork will already be done when you arrive in labor. Check it out when you go for your tour, or ask your caregiver about preregistration. Know the signs of labor. At some point before your due date, your caregiver should give you a specific set of instructions for when she'll want to hear from you and at what point she'll advise you to head for the hospital.

If you haven't nailed this information down yet, do so at your next prenatal visit. Sources BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. Featured video. Parents say: How to care for a newborn baby. Moms say: Top 12 things to pack for the hospital.

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