Avoiding the Discharge Nightmare - 2 Ways to Know It's Time to Have Your Baby

Nursing Pajamas

It's been a long, emotional time for you. The big day is nearing. You've heard from other mothers the horror stories of going to the hospital only to find out upon arrival, that it's not a true labor. What a disappointing and discouraging feeling. For many first-time moms, it's difficult to know when you're really in labor because you have never experienced it.

Nursing Pajamas

"Ok. We've been watching you and the baby closely for the last hour. Since you're not in labor at this time, we're going to discharge you," the registered nurse declares. Your roller coaster of emotions begin to plummet. How do you avoid this scene from occurring? There are 2 things the nurses will look for during the one-hour observation period: rupture of membranes or active labor. If you meet one of these two criteria, you are well on your way to being a new mom.

#1. Rupture of Membranes.
As you know, your baby is in a sac filled with amniotic fluid. This fluid serves many purposes for your baby; most importantly, protection. Once the amniotic sac, or membranes, ruptures (also referred to as your "water breaking"), your baby no longer has this protection, which puts him at risk for infection. Generally, you will feel a gush of fluid that does not feel like urination. If you're unsure, a fern test will be performed. This will allow the nurses to know if your membranes have truly ruptured. Note: DO NOT wait to go to the hospital if your water breaks. The longer your baby goes without his protection, the more susceptible your baby will be to infection, which can lead to a prolonged hospital stay for your baby, as well as a higher level of care (i. e. the neonatal intensive care unit).

#2. Active labor.
Labor is the time in which your uterus will contract in order to push your baby out. Labor pains can be felt in the upper or lower abdomen, or even in the lower back area. When you are in true labor, the time in which they occur will progressively increase and will occur in regular increments. Once you start to feel labor pain, start your timer. Continue to count throughout the contraction and during relaxation. Once the next contraction starts, stop your timer. Continue to do this for 5-7 more contractions. When timing is regular, for example every contraction is five minutes apart, you are in a true labor. If the timing is irregular, you are most likely having Braxton-Hicks contractions, or false labor. Once you realize that your contractions are at least five minutes apart, get in the car and head to the hospital.

Keep in mind, you do not need to meet both criteria before going to the hospital. If one of the two occur, your little bundle of joy will be in your arms before you know it, and you will have avoided the discharge nightmare.

Avoiding the Discharge Nightmare - 2 Ways to Know It's Time to Have Your Baby
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