When to Go to Hospital During Labor
If you're a first-time mom, chances are you've already stressed about this scenario:
You're at home. Contractions are happening. But are they real real? Are they close enough? Strong enough? Should you go to the hospital now… or wait?
And the worst part? You're terrified of either going too early and getting sent home (embarrassing) or waiting too long and having a baby in the car (terrifying).
Girl, I SO get it.
During my (almost) decade as a an L&D nurse fielding phone calls and triaging moms in person, I’ve seen many first-time moms navigate this exact moment. And in all honestly, there's no perfect formula. But there are patterns, signs, and gut checks that can help you make the call with a lot more confidence.
So let's break it down.
Early Labor vs. Active Labor: What's the Difference?
Here's the thing most childbirth classes don't emphasize enough: early labor and active labor feel completely different. And knowing which one you're in makes a huge difference in when you should head to the hospital.
Early Labor Usually Looks Like:
Contractions that are irregular (maybe 10 minutes apart, then 6, then 12, then 8...)
Mild to moderate intensity—uncomfortable, but manageable
You can still talk, joke, scroll your phone through them
Long pauses between contractions where you feel pretty normal and can go about regular life
Early labor can last hours. Sometimes days for first-time moms. It's real labor, but it's the warm-up, not the main event.
Active Labor Is More Likely When:
Contractions are consistently strong; you have to stop what you're doing and breathe through them
They last about a minute each
They're coming every 3–5 minutes (this is the 5-1-1 rule: 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute, for 1 hour)
You can't talk or joke through them anymore
You need to focus inward and tune everything else out
This is when most providers want you to head in—especially if you're a first-time mom delivering at a hospital like Barton Memorial.
Why Arriving "Too Early" Can Actually Make Labor Harder
Okay, here's the part that might frustrate you, but I'm telling you because it matters:
Arriving at the hospital too early can sometimes work against you.
Here's why:
You're on the clock now. If you're admitted, hospitals often have unspoken timeframes they expect labor to progress within. If things stall, interventions (like Pitocin or breaking your water) start getting mentioned. BTW, it’s normal for labor to have plateaus, but hospitals typically see them as times to intervene.
It's harder to move freely. Even at the most supportive hospitals, you're in a medical environment. You're monitored. There are policies. It's not the same as laboring at home in your own space.
Early labor at the hospital feels longer. When you're at home, you can rest, distract yourself, eat, shower. At the hospital? You're laboring. It's more intense psychologically, even if your body's doing the same thing.
You might get discouraged. If you arrive at 2cm and labor for 8 more hours before much happens, that can feel defeating. At home, you wouldn't have known, and you'd just be riding the waves in your safe space.
Does this mean you shouldn't go in if you feel like you need to? Absolutely not. But understanding the tradeoffs helps you make a more informed choice.
So... When Should You Go to the Hospital?
Here's my honest, nurse-turned-doula answer:
Go when active labor patterns are established AND you feel like you need more support than home can offer.
That usually means:
✅ Contractions are consistently 3–5 minutes apart, lasting about a minute, for at least an hour (the 5-1-1 rule)
✅ You can't talk through contractions anymore—you have to stop, breathe, focus
✅ You're not sure you can keep coping at home
✅ Your intuition says it's time
And yes, intuition counts. I've seen moms "just know" it was time even when their contraction pattern didn't fit the textbook. Sometimes your body's telling you something the timer app isn't picking up.
Other Signs It's Time to Go In (Even If Contractions Aren't "Perfect" Yet)
Some situations mean you should head to the hospital regardless of contraction timing:
🚨 Your water breaks and the fluid is anything other than clear (green, brown, or bloody)
🚨 You're bleeding (more than just a little pink-tinged mucus)
🚨 Baby's movement has decreased significantly
🚨 You feel like something has shifted or changed and you can't shake the feeling
🚨 You're in significant pain and can't cope (this is valid—you don't have to white-knuckle it at home)
When in doubt? Call your provider or head to triage. That's literally what it's there for.
What Happens When You Get to the Hospital (So It's Less Scary)
Okay, you've decided it's time. You're heading to Barton Memorial (or wherever you're delivering). Here's what happens next:
You go to triage first.
This is just them assessing you; you’re not admitted yet. A nurse will:
Check your contraction pattern
Check your cervix to see how dilated you are
Monitor baby's heart rate
See how you and baby are tolerating labor
Then one of two things happens:
1️⃣ You're admitted. You're far enough along (usually 4–6cm for first-time moms, but it varies). You'll move to a labor and delivery room and the real party starts. At Barton, they triage in the labor rooms, so you’re already there!
2️⃣ You're sent home to labor longer. You're in early labor but not quite ready for admission. This is not a failure. It's actually a good sign—it means you and baby are doing well, and laboring at home a bit longer will likely help things progress.
Here's what I want you to know: Being sent home doesn't mean you were "wrong" to come in. It means you checked in with your care team, confirmed everything's okay, and now you have more information to work with. That's a win.
Trust Yourself (Seriously)
Here's the truth: there is no single "perfect" moment to go to the hospital.
Some moms go in at 7cm without realizing how far along they are. Some go in at 3cm because they need the reassurance of being monitored. Both are okay.
What matters is that you understand:
What early vs. active labor feels like
What the tradeoffs are of arriving earlier vs. later
What signs mean "go now" regardless of timing
That your gut feeling is valid data
Labor isn't a test you pass or fail. It's something happening with your body, not to it. And part of that is trusting yourself to know when you need more support.
Still Nervous About Knowing When It's Time?
If you're a first-time mom planning a hospital birth in South Lake Tahoe and the "when do I go in?" question is keeping you up at night, let's talk through it.
I offer free Hospital Birth Readiness Checks where we go over stuff like:
What contraction patterns to watch for
What labor at home vs. labor at the hospital might feel like for you
How to trust your instincts when the timing feels murky
Because you don't have to figure this out alone. And you sure as hell don't have to spend your entire early labor second-guessing yourself.
Let's get you ready and I’ll help take the guesswork out of it.
