Many individuals who are having their first baby worry that they won't know when their labour starts. Sometimes, the first sign is when your water breaks, more often though you will feel abdominal cramps which are also known as contractions. They will grow stronger, last longer, more painful, and closer together as you progress through early labour. You should come to the hospital when your contractions are five minutes apart and last between 45 and 60 seconds in length. If your water breaks, you should come to the hospital to also be assessed; don’t wait for contractions to start.
Throughout your pregnancy and before your labour, there are also a number of symptoms that you should be aware of. If you have any of the following symptoms between check-ups, you should contact your primary caregiver right away or call labour & delivery at 613-548-2315.
- vaginal bleeding
- fever
- swollen hands or face
- burning when you urinate
- less kicking from the baby
- severe pain in your chest or abdomen
- unusual headaches
- gush of fluid from your vagina
- regular cramps (uterine contractions)
Preterm Labour
Preterm labour is any labour that starts before week 37 of your pregnancy. It may not always be easy to tell if you are having a preterm labour, however there are certain symptoms that you should be aware of. If you experience any of these as new or different symptoms from what you are normally used to, contact your pregnancy care provider right away.
- Fluid flowing from your vagina. (This can be a sudden or constant and slow)
- Bleeding from your vagina.
- Contractions.
- A general feeling that something is just not right.
Inducing labour
In certain circumstances, your pregnancy caregiver may discuss induction with you. If your pregnancy care provider decides you should move ahead with induction, an appointment will be booked for you. When you arrive at KHSC for your induction go straight to the nursing station in Labour and Delivery on Connell 5.
The nurse will ask you questions as they check your vital signs and will also assess the fetal heart rate to make sure that the baby is healthy before things begin. The procedure will be performed by a doctor or resident, and your triage nurse will monitor you frequently. When you are stable, you may be sent home with follow-up care instructions and return to the hospital when active labour begins.
For more information you can read our Induction of labour booklet.
Arriving at the hospital
Labour and Delivery is located on the fifth floor of the Connell wing at the KGH site of KHSC. When you arrive, our staff will take your health card, register your admission to the hospital, and explain the different types of hospital rooms available to you while you are here. You will also be asked to sign a few forms and provide us with information on any extra insurance coverage you may have. Please be aware that some services or amenities may not be covered by your insurance or OHIP. For more information on these services please visit our billing expenses page.
You will then be taken to your room where you will be assessed and asked a few questions to help us build the type of care team you require. You may also be asked to provide a urine sample and some blood may be taken for testing. We'll also assess your baby’s heartbeat with a fetal monitor.
If it is determined that you are still in the early stages of labour, you may be asked to go home and wait to return to the hospital when your labour has progressed further. Your pregnancy care provider could also decide to admit you as an inpatient in our mother and baby unit, where you can wait until the active stage of your labour begins. The team will discuss these options with you as part of their decision making process.
Soon after you arrive, your care team will discuss your wishes with you so that we fully understand your birth plan. We'll use this information so that we can provide you with a supportive labour and delivery experience. Our teams respect your personal needs and choices.
