Pregnancy: When should I go to the hospital? 

    If you are early in your pregnancy and have: 

• Vaginal bleeding saturating more than a pad per hour x2 hrs 
• Severe or sharp/stabbing lower abdominal pain with or without bleeding
• Unexplained significant/severe right shoulder pain  
• Severe nausea/vomiting where you are unable to tolerate fluids x24hrs 

    If you are 12 weeks or greater in your pregnancy and have: 

• Any vaginal bleeding that is heavier than spotting to a light day of your period
• A sudden gush of fluid or consistent trickling of fluid from the vagina 

    If you are between 24 and 37 weeks and have: 

• Regular contractions for an hour (This means about 6 or more in 1 hour, even after  you have had a glass of water and are resting)
• A sudden gush of fluid or consistent trickling of fluid from the vagina
• Unexplained low back pain or pelvic pressure that comes and goes
• A severe headache (not resolved with Tylenol and hydration), visual changes and/or severe upper right sided abdominal pain 
• A decrease in fetal movement:
  • Between 24-28 weeks, we expect daily fetal movement 
  • At 28 weeks and beyond, we expect the baby to meet their Fetal Kick Count goals of 10 movements in 2 hours
  • Go to the hospital if your baby is not meeting their kick counts OR has a decrease from their normal movement patterns 

    If you are 37 weeks and beyond and have:  

• Painful contractions that are 5 min apart x1 hour 
• If your contractions are regular and are increasing in frequency, intensity, and duration, it’s time to head to the hospital
• A sudden gush of fluid or consistent trickling of fluid from the vagina
• A severe headache (not resolved with Tylenol and hydration), visual changes, and/or severe upper right-sided abdominal pain 
• A decrease in fetal movement:
  • Go to the hospital if your baby is not meeting their kick counts OR has had a decrease from their normal movement patterns  

 If you are having painless or mild contractions that are irregular or more than 15 minutes apart:

1. Stop what you are doing
2. Empty your bladder
3. Drink 2-3 glasses of water (inadequate hydration is the number one cause of  preterm contraction and cramping) 

*If your contractions stop, call your doctor’s office during regular business hours to discuss. If contractions do not stop, go to the hospital.  

Post Partum: When should I go to the hospital?

• If you are experiencing vaginal bleeding saturating more than 1 pad per hour x2 hrs 
• If you have a fever greater than 101°F (low grade fever when milk comes in can be normal, monitor for other symptoms as listed in this section) 
• If you are passing clots larger than a golf ball with heavy bleeding (if bleeding remains normal continue to monitor) 
• If you have a severe headache (not resolved by Tylenol and hydration) visual changes and/or severe right upper abdominal pain
• If you are experiencing worsening pain, redness or drainage from your c section incision site
• If you experience symptoms of mastitis such as flu like symptoms, body aches, fever, red, hot, or hard areas of the breast 
• If you have any thoughts of harming yourself, your baby, or others 

Gynecological Concerns: When should I go to the hospital?  

• If you have had a recent procedure/surgery and are experiencing fever, severe or worsening pain, or incisional drainage with odor or vaginal discharge with foul odor
• If you have severe vaginal pain and/or swelling 
• If you are experiencing heavy vaginal bleeding saturating greater than a pad per hour x2 hrs

Please refer to the following links for more information on  pregnancy, postpartum, or gynecological concerns

• Kicks Count – Fetal Movement
• Preterm Labor FAQ 
• Bleeding in Pregnancy FAQ
• High Blood Pressure and Preeclampsia FAQ 
• Heavy Menstrual Bleeding FAQ
• Post Partum Depression FAQ
• Morning Sickness FAQ
• Safe Medications for Pregnancy