How and When to Contact the Nurse-Midwife during your Labor
How to contact the Nurse-Midwife
During office hours, call your clinic and tell them what you are calling about. They will have you talk to the nurse, the nurse-midwife in clinic or the nurse-midwife on call
Clinic |
Phone |
UW Health West Women’s Center 3rd Floor 451 Junction Road Madison, WI 53717-2656 |
(608) 263-0150 |
UW Health East Obstetrics & Gynecology 2nd Floor 5249 East Terrace Drive Suite 9952 Madison, WI 53718-8339 |
(608) 265-1230 |
Access Community Health Center, South |
(608) 443-5480 |
Access Community Health Center, Evjue 3434 E. Washington Ave Madison, WI 53704 |
(608) 443-5480 |
UW Health Mt Horeb 600 North 8th Street Mt Horeb, WI |
(608) 437-3064 |
After hours, call 262-0486 or 1-800-323-8942
- These phone numbers will connect you with the answering service.
- Ask for the nurse-midwife on call.
- If you do not get a call back within 15 minutes, please call again.
Labor
It can be hard to tell when you are in labor. Even if it is not your first baby, it can be hard to tell. All labors are unique. Here are some guidelines to help you decide if it is time to contact the nurse-midwife for labor:
- Contractions are regular, strong, and are 5 minutes apart or less. Contractions should be timed from the start of one to the start of the next.
- Your bag of water breaks. The water may come in a “gush” or it may trickle slowly. If you notice a discharge that looks like water, note the time. Put on a pad and see if the water keeps leaking Contact the nurse-midwife right away, unless you are 36 weeks pregnant or more, the water is clear (not brown or green), and you know the baby is in a head down position, If this is the case contact the nurse-midwife within 12 hours.
- You have heavy bleeding. This means bright red blood that makes a spot on a pad bigger than a silver dollar. “Bloody show” is normal and a good sign. As a rule, bloody show is mixed with mucous and can be pink, red or dark brown. Not all women have bloody show, and it does not always signal that labor is starting!
Key Points to Think About
- How long it takes you to get to the hospital.
- How long it will take to make plans (child care, ride to hospital, getting support people to you, etc.).
- How long your other labors have been.
Hints for Early Labor
In early labor, it is good to:
- Drink plenty of fluids (at least 8oz. every hour).
- Eat high-starch and protein, low-fat foods.
- Balance walks and showers with taking a nap or a bath and resting.
- If your labor is starting at night, try to sleep as much as you can to conserve your strength in case of a long labor.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 02/13/2013
Copyright © 02/13/2013 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#7023
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