When to take your partner to the hospital
At this time, the baby is officially considered full-term [1]. That means labor can begin at any time!
Contractions are the main sign of the onset of labor. They come at regular intervals and increase in length, frequency, and intensity. The laboring mother will also feel pain in the abdomen and lower back [2] and release a pinkish mucus [3].
During the first stage of labor, contractions will progressively become stronger and can last anywhere from 9 to 12 hours [4]. At this time, the most important thing is to remain calm and check if the waters have broken. If your partner is leaking a clear, runny liquid, it means that the membranes have in fact ruptured. If contractions are five minutes apart, lasting at least 40 seconds, then it's time to go to the hospital [3]. Remember that a woman can be in labor without her membranes having ruptured, so pay special attention to contractions.
You should seek immediate medical attention if your partner experiences chest pain, dizziness or fainting, severe nausea or vomiting, shortness of breath, swelling of legs, arms, or face, heavy bleeding, a change in the smell or color of the fluid coming from the vagina, or if there is a sudden decrease in the baby’s movements [3, 4].
