Signs that you may be in labour or that you need to come to the hospital

While labour is the most common reason to visit the hospital, there are other reasons you may need to come.

The symptoms of labour may include:

• a sudden gush or a constant slow leak of fluid from the vagina
• period-like bleeding from the vagina (some bleeding or "mucousy show" is normal as your cervix changes with labour)
• regular contractions of the uterus (contractions every 3-5 minutes, lasting 60-90 seconds, and have been like that for over an hour)
• painful contractions that you have to breathe through and you can't talk through
• constant low dull backache
• pelvic pressure

Other symptoms that you should be on the lookout for include:

• dizziness
• headaches
• blurred vision
• pain under the right side of your rib cage
• a change in the type and amount of baby movements you normally feel

If you are unsure of what you are feeling or what you should do, please do not hesitate to contact your healthcare provider or a Registered Nurse in the Birth Unit at 613-721-2000, ext. 2127.