Delivery

Essentially, the delivery can take place anywhere between the 37th and 42nd week of the pregnancy; before or after that point of time it’ll be a medical indication.
Labour can start with contractions or rupture of membranes.

In case of rupture of membranes and contractions haven’t started yet, please note down the time and check the colour of the water: if it’s green, yellow or brown, please call us, day or night.
If the colour is clear or rosy and flaky, and it’s already late or at night, please try to get some sleep and call us the next morning around nine o’clock. We will visit you during the day to check up on you and give you advise; until 24 hours after the membranes are ruptured, you can have your baby with the help of us, your midwives.
Sometimes, the membranes rupture and you immediately loose a lot of water; sometimes, it comes with small drops, the whole day through.

In case the baby’s head hasn’t descended yet, at the last check-up we will advise you to lie down, as soon as the membranes rupture. In that case, please call us immediately so we can come over and check if the baby’s head meanwhile has descended.

In case labour starts at first the contractions are often very irregular. Sometimes, after some time, contractions can stop. It’s called “false labour”.
There’s a good chance the delivery carries through if contractions hold on for one or two hours, and last for about a minute. If you want to have your baby in the hospital, and it’s your first one, we usually come over to your house to check upon you; by then we agree upon the time you have to go to the hospital.
Please, keep in mind that a first delivery can last for a day.
In case it’s your second or third baby, things can go somewhat faster: by the time your contractions come every five minutes, please give us a call.

Loss of blood around the time you’re due or during labour is normal; it’s caused by the dilatation of the cervix. If the loss of blood is more than during a menstruation, please call us immediately.

Loss of mucus can take place quite a while before labour actually starts; the mucus can be mixed with some blood and may have a pink or brown colour.
In this case, you don’t have to call us.

In case of anxiety you can always contact us. Of course, we also like to get some sleep during the night, so if it is not urgent, call us the next day, after 9 o’clock A.M.

In short, when to call:

• A first baby: contractions that last for a minute, and hold on for at least one hour, every four minutes
• Every next baby: regular, strong contractions, every five minutes
• Rupture of membranes, a descended head and a clear colour: call us during the day in case the colour is green, yellow or brown: call us day or night
• Loss of blood, more than a menstruation: call us day or night
• Anxiety
• In case your baby is kicking less than you’re used to: call us during the day
• After the delivery, please call us in case of fever, ample loss of blood, anxiety or any problem you have concerning your baby