You think you're in labor… now what? First, take a breath — then text us. Telling us you had diarrhea, lost your mucus plug (again), or that you can't tell whether you're having contractions is welcome news!
You're never bothering us with TMI.
Here's the thing: we don't just care about the "big" stuff. We care about every detail of your birth, because those details are part of your birth story. Whether a detail informs a decision or an action is something we can help you sort through — and we seriously love helping our clients with this. So give us all the juicy details, my friend!
When to Call (or Text!) Your Doula
If you're experiencing any of the following, send us a text:
- Crampiness
- Contractions or Braxton Hicks coming once or more an hour
- Losing your mucus plug (send pics!)
- Sudden-onset diarrhea
- Increased pressure
- A suspicion your water has broken
- Feeling generally unwell
- A feeling that something isn't right
- Anytime — really
We are not your provider, and we don't pretend to be. But we can absolutely help you sort through when to call your provider versus when something is a normal, physiological sign of labor or pregnancy.
When to Call Your Provider
We're here to help with this, too. Most providers love a good heads-up so they know you'll be coming in at some point soon — and thankfully, most are great about letting you keep laboring at home.
In general, once you've confirmed you're in labor (regular contractions for about an hour), we can help you communicate that to your provider.
Here are some other reasons to call your provider:
- Suspected water breaking
- Excessive vaginal bleeding
- Water breaking with no contractions
- Blood pressure that's too high or too low
- Dizziness, a persistent headache, or a change in vision
- Pain that isn't a contraction
This is just a snapshot of reasons to call once you're in labor. If anything is worrying you, we want you to call — and we're always happy to help you sort through your decisions!
When to Go to the Hospital
There's no one-size-fits-all answer here. The decision to leave for the hospital should weigh all of your factors, like:
- Do you have preexisting conditions that mean you need to be at the hospital earlier?
- Are you GBS positive? (If so, you'll need antibiotics.)
- Are you coping well with contractions at home?
- Has your water broken? If so, is it clear?
- How far away is your hospital?
These are just a few of the factors swimming around a doula's head as we help you decide when to leave — and we love weighing them with you.
If everything is going well, our doulas aim to leave during a "sweet spot" in labor: far enough into active labor that the move won't disturb things, but not so close to transition that the car ride is miserable. It's an art form — not always predictable — but we do our best! That's also why we like to arrive while you're still at home, so we can support you through the transition.
Learn the Signs Before the Big Day
Doulas aren't just here for labor — we're here for pre-labor, too. In our signature birth classes, Marigold doulas teach you the signs of labor, the process of labor, and exactly when to call your doula or provider. We love helping families feel prepared, so labor and the postpartum weeks ahead can be smoother and more informed.