When you're pregnant, you want to call your doctor or your midwife anytime that you have any kind of bright-red bleeding, a fall, or any kind of excessive headache or feelings of faint or dizziness. When you're in labor, you want to call your doctor or your midwife as your contractions get stronger, longer, and closer together. You want to give them a heads-up as to when you're coming into the hospital or the birth center. Remember, communication is really key in letting your doctor or your midwife know exactly where you are throughout the birth process.
When your water breaks during labor, you want to call your doctor or your midwife and let them know a few things. You can remember the word 'taco'. Time, what time did your water break? Amount, was it a gush or a high tear or a slow leak? Color, what color was the fluid? Was it clear and slightly blood-tinged, or did it look a little bit like pea soup? And the odor, was there a very strong odor to this? If the fluid was a little bit pea soup-like or had a strong odor, it might be a sign of meconium, or the baby's first bowel movement. This isn't always something to be stressed about or always an indication of a baby's stress factor, but important information for your care provider to know, so give them a call.
Another time to call your doctor or midwife during pregnancy or birth is if you're having an extreme headache, blurred vision, or lightheadedness. These could be symptoms of preeclampsia and you want to make sure your doctor knows about these things.
About video: These are things to keep in mind when thinking about when to call your doctor or your midwife during pregnancy or birth.
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