When to call triage in labour

When to call triage in labour

Working out whether you are in the early stages of labour or not can be very confusing. This information has been produced to help you and give you the confidence in yourself and in what is happening to you and your baby.

Maternity Triage provides assessment, monitoring and care for a range of pregnancy-related concerns. It is located at Worcestershire Royal Hospital next to the Meadow birth centre and the Postnatal ward. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For the full details, visit our Maternity Triage page.

It is important to contact Maternity Triage on 0303 003 5599.

If you think you are in labour – Labour is different for everyone but it commonly starts with contractions or your waters breaking. Your community midwife will have discussed signs of labour and when to call the hospital with you towards the end of your pregnancy. If you are less than 37 weeks pregnant and think you may be in labour, please call us immediately.

Your waters breaking – This is common during or shortly before the start of labour. Sometimes it will be obvious when your waters have broken, and sometimes it will be less obvious. If you are not sure, still give us a call, but you can place a maternity or sanitary pad in your underwear in the meantime and observe any leaking fluid. If you are less than 37 weeks or the colour of the water isn’t clear or “straw coloured” call triage immediately.

Vaginal bleeding – Please call Maternity Triage immediately for advice. A ‘show’ (the mucus plug) can start coming away from the neck of the womb (cervix) days (or sometimes weeks) before you go into labour. This will have a sticky, mucousy and blood-stained appearance and is completely normal. Fresh red bleeding however is not normal. If you are at all unsure, please contact Maternity Triage to discuss this. If the bleeding is severe call 999 for an ambulance. 

Reduced fetal movements or a change in pattern – Feeling movements is a sign of your baby’s wellbeing. From around 28 weeks pregnant you should start to notice your baby’s pattern of movements becomes more consistent. If you are concerned the pattern has changed at any time or your baby’s movements are reduced during your pregnancy, please do not wait, call the Maternity Triage department immediately. 

More advice can be found at: Your Baby’s Movements: When Does a Baby Start Kicking? | Tommy’s 

There are many other reasons you may need to contact triage in pregnancy, please visit our Maternity Triage page for more details on when to call and what happens when you visit maternity triage.