When to call about contractions

Call maternity care urgently when the waters break, even if contractions have not started. Fluid may appear as a slow trickle or a sudden gush. NHS guidance recommends using a sanitary pad rather than a tampon so the color can be checked and contacting the midwife immediately if the fluid is smelly, colored, or accompanied by blood.

Vaginal bleeding also requires urgent contact. A small amount of pink, mucus-like show can occur as the cervix begins to open, but heavier blood or uncertainty should not be categorized at home. ACOG lists heavy vaginal bleeding as a reason for hospital assessment. Describe what you see and follow the service's instructions.

Call the midwife or maternity unit immediately if the baby is moving less than usual, movement has stopped, or the usual pattern has changed. NHS guidance says not to wait until the next day, even in the middle of the night. There is no universal daily kick target that makes a change safe to ignore.

Movement should continue up to and during labor. Do not use a home Doppler, a timer result, food, or a cold drink to reassure yourself after a meaningful change. A heard heartbeat does not establish that the baby is well. The maternity team needs the opportunity to assess movement and the baby's heart rate directly.

Call right away if you are under 37 weeks and think labor may be starting. Preterm symptoms may include regular or frequent tightening, pelvic pressure, low backache, mild abdominal cramps, a change or increase in discharge, or a gush or trickle of fluid. ACOG warns not to wait when these signs occur.

Do not require painful contractions or a one-hour pattern before calling. Preterm contractions may be mild or painless, and only clinical assessment can determine whether the cervix is changing. Give the service your current gestational age, symptom start time, fluid or bleeding details, movement, and any known pregnancy risks.

NHS guidance says to call urgently if any contraction lasts longer than two minutes or there are six or more contractions in ten minutes. ACOG lists constant severe pain with no relief between contractions as a reason for hospital assessment. These situations are not ordinary timer milestones and should not trigger a celebratory status message.

Stop the timer and call. Report the longest duration, how many contractions began within ten minutes, whether the uterus or pain relaxes between them, and any bleeding, fluid, movement change, dizziness, or other concern. If you cannot reach the maternity service, use the urgent-care route provided in your country or care plan.

NHS guidance says to call an ambulance when the baby appears to be coming now and there is a strong urge to push. Use your local emergency number rather than a country-specific number shown on an international website. Tell the dispatcher that the caller is pregnant, birth may be imminent, and where help is needed.

Otherwise, follow the maternity service's instructions about whether to stay home, attend for assessment, or go directly to the planned birth setting. Do not drive yourself while contractions are demanding attention. A partner or support person can handle the call, read recent timing entries, gather essentials, and keep the route clear.