The last nine months may have seemed to last forever, but now you're on the home stretch.
When to come to the hospital
Your doctor will tell you when to come to the hospital when you are in labor. For most first-time parents, you will be asked to wait at home until labor is well-established-usually when contractions are about 5 minutes apart. Notify your doctor immediately if you experience any of these Warning Signs at any time during your pregnancy.
Warning Signs For Potential Complications During Pregnancy:
Most women only experience the normal discomforts that take place during pregnancy. However, sometimes there can be complications that need immediate medical attention.
If you experience any of the symptoms listed below, contact your health care provider immediately, or go to the hospital or emergency room.
- Vaginal bleeding
- Vaginal discharge that is unusual
- Pain or burning upon urination, or decrease in urination
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
- Leakage of fluid from the vagina
- Sharp pelvic pain or severe cramping
- Severe, persistent, frequent headaches
- Visual disturbances such as blurred vision, white lights or flashes, dots in front of the eyes
- Sudden swelling in hands, feet, and face
- Falling or sustaining a blow to your abdomen
- Noticeable decrease or absence of fetal movement
- High fever - over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit orally
- Contractions more often than four times an hour if you are less than 37 weeks
- Low back pain that comes and goes
- Any other problem that feels unusual
The bottom line: if you are worried, definitely call your health care provider!