Labor Instructions

Labor Instructions

Important Phone Numbers
Orange Coast Women’s Medical Group (949) 829-5533
Fudge Family Birthing Suites at Hoag Hospital Irvine: (949) 517-3223
Labor and Delivery at Hoag Hospital Newport (949) 764-5789

The following is a summary of when to call your provider regarding labor:

1. Irregular contractions and/or loss of mucous plug DO NOT indicate that you need to leave for the hospital, or even that labor has begun. Rather, it is time to call the doctor and prepare to go to the hospital when ALL of the following occur:

• For the first baby, contractions are 3 to 5 minutes apart; that is, one contraction starts 4 to 5 minutes after the start of the prior contraction. For the second baby, contractions are 5 to 7 minutes apart.
• Each contraction lasts from 45 to 60 seconds.
• You are unable to talk during a contraction and find you must use the breathing techniques you were taught in your birthing class.
• The contractions are getting progressively more painful.

2. CALL US BEFORE LEAVING FOR THE HOSPITAL. To avoid delays and confusion at the hospital, always call the Doctor – no matter what time – before leaving for the hospital. Nursing staff at Labor & Delivery are ready for you, and aware of any special needs you may have.

3. CALL THE REGULAR OFFICE PHONE NUMBER. Call (949) 829-5533 day or night to reach the doctor. After-hours the telephone is answered by the providers’ answering service personnel who are trained to notify our providers immediately of calls regarding labor. If you have trouble getting through on the telephone, call the Fudge Family Birthing Suites at Hoag Hospital Irvine at (949) 517-322-3225 or Labor and Delivery at Hoag Hospital Newport at (949) 764-5789. If your regular provider is unavailable the answering service will connect you with one of their qualified OCWMG colleagues.

4. Medications and Epidural anesthesia will be given on an individual basis as requested or as needed, subject to your progress in labor. Please make your preferences clear to your labor nurse and doctor. Spontaneous (natural starting) labors are generally preferred to induced for the health and safety of mother and baby. Remember that you are not “overdue” until two weeks after your due date.

5. Upon admission you’ll be asked for the name of the pediatrician you’ve chosen to care for your baby. Please confirm that your pediatrician is contracted with your insurance plan. (If a pediatrician hasn’t been previously selected, be assured that your baby will be cared for by a Hoag Medical Group pediatrician and will only discharged when medically stable).

6. Your medical condition and your time of admission will determine your length of stay in the hospital. Most insurance plans allow for 2 days for a vaginal delivery and 4 days for a C-section. You will not be discharged from the hospital until you are medically stable, regardless of what number day it is.

7. If you have any questions, please call us. We do not want you to worry needlessly. It is more expeditious, however, if you call rather than your partner/spouse or another individual as there may be questions that only you can answer.

8. Remember, when calling, identify yourself to the answering service by:

• YOUR NAME
• YOUR PROVIDER’S NAME
• DUE DATE
• WHAT NUMBER BABY THIS IS (i.e. Is this your first baby?)

GOOD LUCK ON YOUR BIG DAY!