When to Go to the Hospital and What Real Labor Looks Like

One of the biggest questions families ask in late pregnancy is, “How will I know when it’s really time to go to the hospital?”

Movies and TV make labor look sudden and obvious, but real labor often unfolds gradually Actually staying home and giving yourself space to feel comfortable will help progress labor better than rushing to an unfamiliar space. Knowing what true labor looks like, how contractions change, and what signs matter most can help you feel calmer and better prepared when the moment comes.

This guide walks you through:

• How to recognize real labor patterns

• What to do in early labor

• When it is time to head to your birth space

• What partners should watch for, including when water breaks (or your ‘membranes release’)
  

What Does Real Labor Actually Feel Like?

Early labor can feel confusing because many sensations overlap with normal pregnancy discomforts. Real labor, however, follows patterns, not just intensity.

Signs of Real Labor

Real labor contractions tend to:

• Come at regular intervals- these can start far apart even every 30 minutes and then gradually come together

• Become longer, stronger, and closer together over time

• Continue despite rest, hydration, or position changes- practice labor can occur with dehydration

• Gradually leads to requiring your focus during each surge

You may also notice:

• Low back pressure or cramping that wraps to the front

• Pelvic pressure or a feeling of heaviness

• Needing to pause or breathe through surges

• Bloody show (Birth Show) or increased cervical mucus

Unlike practice contractions, true labor does not fade away with hydration or a nap.

Understanding Labor Patterns

Instead of asking, “How painful is it?” a better question is, “Is there a pattern?”

A helpful way to assess labor is timing contractions:

• When they start

• How long they last

• How much rest you get between them

True labor contractions usually:

• Last 45 to 90 seconds

• Come at consistent intervals

• Gradually shorten the rest time between surges
  

What to Do in Early Labor

Early labor is often best spent at home, where your body can relax and labor can progress more smoothly.

Helpful things to do:

• Eat light, nourishing foods

• Hydrate well

• Rest between contractions

• Use movement like walking, swaying, or birth ball circles

• Take a shower or bath

• Practice breathing or relaxation techniques

• Keep the environment calm and low-stimulus

This is also a great time for your partner to support you emotionally and help track contraction patterns without rushing decisions.

When Is It Time to Go to the Hospital or Birth Center?

Many providers use timing guidelines to help families decide when to leave for their birth space.

The 3-2-1 Rule

It may be time to go when contractions are:

• 3 minutes apart

• 2 ish minutes long (more importantly- it is lasting longer and is stronger)

• Last for at least 1 hour

For some families, especially first births, your provider may recommend waiting slightly longer. Always follow the guidance given by your care provider or midwife, especially if you have specific medical considerations.

Other signs it may be time:

• You can no longer talk or walk through contractions

• You feel increasing pelvic pressure

• Your intuition says it is time
  

Partner Guidance: What to Know When membranes release

If membranes release, partners can play a key role in gathering important information. A helpful acronym we teach families is TACO.

TACO for Rupture of Membranes

• Time: When did it happen?

• Amount: Gush or slow trickle?

• Color: Clear, pink-tinged, green, or brown?

• Odor: Amniotic fluid usually has little to no smell

This information is important to share with your provider right away, especially if fluid is green, brown, foul-smelling, or if you are unsure whether your water has broken.

Partners can also help by:

• Staying calm and reassuring

• Helping contact the care team

• Supporting rest or movement depending on contraction patterns

• Advocating for time and clarity when decisions arise (Read Here about how to use the BRAINS tool for informed consent)
  

When to Call Your Provider Right Away

Contact your provider if you experience:

• Bright red bleeding

• Decreased fetal movement

• Fever or chills

• Green or brown amniotic fluid

• Severe headache or visual changes

• Strong contractions before 37 weeks

When in doubt, calling for guidance is always appropriate.

How Birth Education and Support Help

Knowing what labor looks like ahead of time can dramatically reduce fear and unnecessary early hospital admissions. Birth education classes help families understand:

• Normal labor progression

• What sensations are expected

• When to rest versus when to go in

• How partners can provide effective support

Doulas also help families interpret labor signs, provide reassurance, and support decision-making so you do not feel rushed or alone.

Trusting the Process

Labor rarely starts with a single dramatic moment. It is a process that builds, unfolds, and shifts. Understanding patterns instead of focusing on pain alone allows you to move through early labor with more confidence and less anxiety.

When you know what to look for, what questions to ask, and how to support each other, you are far more likely to arrive at your birth space feeling grounded, prepared, and ready.

Your body knows what to do. Having the right tools helps you trust it.