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What to Do When You Are in Labour

Learn more about coming to the hospital in labour.
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Please contact your health-care provider if you think you are in labour, if your water breaks or if you have any concerns. You can also call our labour triage phone line at 416-586-4800 ext. 3210.

Labour is different for everyone, and it can be hard to predict exactly when it will begin.  

If you are feeling tightening at irregular intervals, it could be preliminary labour (pre-labour). This might progress into labour in the next few hours or days. We recommend staying home, drinking fluids, walking around or taking a shower.

Please come to our Labour and Delivery unit on the 15th floor (accessible only by the University elevators) if you are experiencing any of the following:

  • Regular contractions (5 minutes apart or less, lasting one minute and continues in this pattern for one hour)
  • Leaking fluid because your water has broken, whether or not you are having contractions  
  • You feel a decrease or change in your baby’s movement (after 26 to 28 weeks in pregnancy)
  • Bright red vaginal bleeding

If you have a scheduled induction of labour or Caesarean birth, please register at the Labour and Delivery unit.

If you have urgent concerns but are not sure if you should come in, call the Labour and Delivery triage at 416-586-4800 x 3210.

Triage and registration

When you arrive at the Labour and Delivery triage desk, you will meet one of our nurses, who will ask you about your pregnancy, the reason for coming to triage, your general health, medical history, recent travel and signs of illness. They will determine if you or your support person will need to go to registration.  

The triage nurse will put you in a room where they will check your blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and temperature. They will also check your baby’s heart rate and if you are experiencing any contractions. 

You will then be seen by a nurse practitioner, midwife or physician. They will assess you and decide either to admit you or send you home with a plan. Please bring your health (OHIP) card (or other valid health-care coverage) and a credit card for any charges that are not covered by OHIP or private insurance.

Learn more about what to bring to the hospital when you come to have your baby.