When to go to the hospital in labor with first child

Your body starts preparing for labor in advance — as much as a month before you actually give birth. It can be tough to know when it’s happening for sure. We’ll help you spot the difference between a dress rehearsal and the real deal.

Learn to recognize the signs of labor

When to come to the hospital

Timing is different for every pregnancy.

At your third trimester prenatal appointments, we’ll talk about how to know when it’s time, what to do, and where to go, but ideally you’ll come to the hospital when you’re in active labor.

It’s common to think the first signs of contractions are your cue to come to the hospital, but that’s usually not the case.

Signs that labor is 24 to 48 hours away

Early labor can last for days. All we can do at this stage is wait for signs that your body is ready to deliver, so a lot of people come in too soon and wind up going home again. Getting from point A to point B isn’t fun during any stage of labor, so call us before you come so we can help you avoid multiple trips.

Counting your contractions can help you figure out when it’s really time to go.