A Pregnant Woman's Dilemma: Go to the Hospital or Wait (by Amy S.D. Lee)

It's a pregnant woman's dilemma.  Once you are ready to go into labor, deciding when to go to the hospital or when to stay home can be a difficult decision. You hate to run to the hospital just to be sent home having overreacted. But, staying at home too long can be detrimental to you or your baby. Women are always eager to share with you how they went to the hospital with multiple episodes of false labor or how they delivered a baby in the car on the side of the interstate. Both sagas strike fear in the heart of the pregnant woman awaiting labor.  How do you know when to go and when to stay? 
When to go to the hospital
Once you reach 36 weeks in your pregnancy, you should continue to be vigilant about your own health and the well being of the baby, just as you were during the preterm period. The same health concerns should be evaluated whether early or late in pregnancy. But now you are "term" and it's okay to go into labor and for the membranes to rupture. Initially, you may pass a mucous plug that may be gooey and bloody. You may have some pink spotting or light bleeding referred to as "bloody show." Labor could come soon or be days away. These symptoms alone should not send you to the hospital but should let you know to get ready. The early period of labor can be quick or drag on for some time in a phase called "prodromal labor." As a general rule, when contractions are consistently 5 minutes apart for 1 hour, then it's tme to go to the hospital. Finally, anytime your membranes rupture, you should go in. Once the membranes are ruptured, the baby is exposed to the outside germs and becomes susceptible to infection if left too long. In general, it's better to deliver within 24 hours after the membranes rupture.  It's important to go to the hospital so that labor can be initiated if it doesn't rapidly ensue after the membranes rupture. 
You can always call to make sure
If you're not sure about when to go to the hospital, don't hesitate to call your healthcare provider.  There is always someone on call able to answer your questions. I wouldn't call in the middle of the night to ask about something that can wait for daytime but if you are truly worried that you may need immediate care, either call your provider or go to the hospital. You can never be too careful where your baby is concerned, and you don't want to deliver on the interstate!


This article was copied from health.yahoo.net