The following transcript has been edited for legibility.
Hi! My name is Holly, and I’m one of the midwives here at Fayetteville Woman’s Care. Today, I’m coming to you from one of the labor and delivery rooms at Cape Fear Valley, and I’d like to take a few moments to talk about what to expect during labor—and when it’s time to come in to be assessed.
Signs of Labor: When to Come In
One of the key signs that it’s time to come in is painful contractions that:
- Happen every 3 to 5 minutes
- Last for at least an hour
- Are strong enough that you can’t talk or text through them, and you’re having to really breathe through each one
When that pattern occurs, we’d like you to come in so we can evaluate whether you’re in early labor or active labor.
It’s important to know that painful contractions alone are not always a reason for admission. Even if they’re regular, if your cervix isn’t at least 5 to 6 centimeters dilated, we’ll usually recommend you return home to manage the early labor phase in the comfort of your own space—your own bed, bath, and surroundings.
Managing Early Labor at Home
If you’re in early labor, there are a few things you can try at home to ease discomfort:
- Take a warm bath with Epsom salts
- Try Benadryl to help you rest or sleep
Sometimes, contractions will space out and go away. Other times, they’ll pick up in intensity and frequency. If they do become stronger and closer together, come back in so we can reassess.
Once You’re Admitted
Once you’re 5 to 6 centimeters dilated, we’ll admit you to one of our labor and delivery rooms. From there, you’ll have several options to help manage your labor:
- IV pain medication, if you choose
- Epidural anesthesia, if you prefer
- Peanut balls (with or without an epidural)
- Birthing balls to use at the edge of the bed
- Wireless monitors (limited availability, first come, first served)
When to Call or Come In
If it’s during our business hours (Monday through Friday), please call our office and make an appointment so we can assess you here.
If it’s after hours—on a weeknight or weekend—you should go to hospital triage.
To do that:
- Enter through the main entrance of Cape Fear Valley Medical Center
- Head straight to the fourth floor, where Labor & Delivery is located
- A nurse will assess you, check your cervix, monitor your baby, and contact us with an update
Other Reasons to Come In During the Third Trimester
In addition to labor symptoms, there are a few other important reasons to come in—either to our clinic or to the hospital:
- Decreased fetal movement – if you’re not feeling your baby move as much as usual
- Heavy vaginal bleeding – especially if it’s bright red or similar to a period (light spotting after a cervical exam can be normal)
- Suspected water breaking – if you’re leaking fluid or think your water may have broken
If you’re ever unsure or have questions about what you’re experiencing, please don’t hesitate to talk to one of our providers at your next visit. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
