Calling the birth suite: what to say and what to ask

Make the call before finishing your notes

Keep your midwife's or birth suite's contact details handy. If you are worried or think labour has started, contact them without waiting for a complete record. This checklist organises a conversation, not a decision about whether you need assessment. Follow your own maternity team's care plan.

Lead with your main concern

Give your name, your pregnancy week and the reason for calling. Explain when you first noticed the concern and what has changed. Mention any instructions specific to your pregnancy. If a support person joins you, agree who will describe your experience and request interpreting support if needed.

Share observations rather than guesses

Describe contractions, fluid loss, bleeding or changes in your baby's usual movements. It is fine to say you are unsure. NHS guidance advises urgent contact for waters breaking, vaginal bleeding, reduced movements or suspected labour before 37 weeks. These are examples of concerns requiring prompt care, not a complete list.

Refer to the log if it helps

Read recent Birth Companion entries only if useful. Clarify whether a figure means contraction duration, the pause from the end of one contraction to the start of the next, or time between starts. Mention missing entries. A log or PDF summary cannot diagnose labour; do not delay contact to finish or export it.

Confirm the next step

Ask what to do now, where to go if assessment is needed and when to call again. Repeat the instructions and record them separately. If you think the baby is coming now with a strong urge to push, contact local emergency services. Never wait for an app notification. This is general information, not personalised medical advice.

Birth Companion Download on the App Store