What happens when I get to hospital?

When you arrive at hospital for the birth you’ll be looked after by midwives who deliver babies virtually every day. They understand that giving birth is an extremely powerful physical and emotional experience, and they’re there to support you and your partner through it. Whatever you might need or whatever you want to know, don’t be afraid to ask.

Checks and tests

When you first get to hospital for the birth you’ll probably be taken to a room for mums-to-be who’ve just arrived, so you can be assessed. A midwife will take you through a series of checks and tests.
They’ll want to check:

•    What’s already happened in your labour, such as whether your waters have broken and whether your contractions have begun.
•    Your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and urine.
•    Your maternity notes.
•    Your tummy and, with your permission, carry out an internal examination to find out how dilated your cervix is.
•    Your baby will be monitored.

All the details will be written down.

The next steps

If you’re in early labour it may be better to go home again and wait for the contractions to get stronger. If you’re staying, you’ll be given a bed on the early labour ward and move into a delivery room when your labour progresses.

Have to check about ‘food and drink during labour’