When to go to the hospital

Real labor vs. false labor

You might have Braxton Hicks contractions — also called false labor — as your due date approaches. They’re basically warm-ups for childbirth, when your uterus expands and contracts, but you’re not in labor.

What’s the difference?

People call these types of contractions false labor because they can trick you into thinking it’s time when it’s really not. Spot the difference with these signs of Braxton Hicks contractions:

• There’s no pattern.

• They don’t last longer than an hour.

• If you move around, they go away.

• They aren’t painful.

If you’re still not sure, just call your care team. That’s what we’re here for.

Induced labor

Sometimes there are signs that it’s time to deliver your baby before labor starts on its own. If that happens, your care team might step in and get things going by inducing labor.

Learn why and how we induce labor

Counting labor contractions

A contraction is a tightening of the uterus that feels like cramping or pressure. You should feel it over your entire uterus and possibly into your back. As labor progresses, your contractions become more frequent and regular, so timing them is a good way to figure out when it’s time to head to the hospital.

Timing is everything. Here’s how it works:

• Start timing your contractions once you feel a few in a row.

• Time the length of each contraction. If the tightness lasts for 30 seconds or longer, they’re labor contractions.

• Count the time between contractions from the start of one to the start of the next.

If this is your first baby, come to the hospital when your contractions:

• Come every 3 to 5 minutes over an hour-long period

• Last at least 45 to 60 seconds

If you’ve given birth before, come to the hospital when your contractions:

• Come every 5 to 7 minutes

• Last at least 45 to 60 seconds

Speeding up the process

If your contractions are still far apart and you want things to go faster, try walking around. It can help your baby move into your pelvis. The pressure that gravity puts on your cervix can also help things move along. You can also try these labor and birth positions to ease discomfort and possibly speed things up a bit.

Planning ahead

The first thing to do is call us to let the care team know you’re on your way. Save the number of Kaiser Permanente's dedicated Labor Line to your phone now so you have it when you need it.

After you call your care team, get going! Grab your hospital bag, head to the hospital, and get ready to meet your new baby.