Labor Instructions

What to do if you think you are in labor or your water breaks:

  • If the office is open (weekdays 8:30 am to 5:00 pm), please call the office. We may have you come in to be examined or direct you to Labor and Delivery.
  • If the office is closed (weekends, evenings, and holidays), please call Women’s Care at 541.686.2922 or 541.868.9700. You will be connected with a nurse or RN.

When to go to the hospital or call the office:

Contractions: Labor contractions often start 15 to 20 minutes apart and become progressively closer and increase in strength. With your first baby, contractions are not likely to cause progressive dilation of the cervix until they are four to five minutes apart and false labor is common. Contractions of false labor may be painful but are usually irregular. (Less than 30 seconds in duration and do not become more frequent or regular with time.)


Go to the triage area of PeaceHealth Sacred Heart RiverBend Hospital if you are having regular, strong contractions every 3 to 5 minutes for one hour

Ruptured or Leaking Bag of Water: Although your bag of water usually breaks or is broken during labor, this may occur prior to the onset of labor. When your water bag breaks, it typically gushes, but can also trickle.

If you think that your water may have broken, please call us regardless of whether or not you are having contractions.

Bleeding: Slight spotting or staining may occur during the last few weeks of your pregnancy, especially if you have had a pelvic exam. This should not be alarming, however, heavy bleeding or a gush of bright red blood may be significant. 

If you have heavy bleeding or if there is severe pain with bleeding, you should call your physician immediately.

Severe Abdominal Pain: This may indicate a serious condition. Please call immediately.

Arrival at Riverbend Hospital: Please register at the admissions desk in the first floor lobby. Once the admissions process has been completed you will be escorted to labor and delivery. You will initially be evaluated by an experienced certified Labor and Delivery Nurse who will contact the physician on call and inform us of your condition.

If at any time you are unsure of any symptoms you are having, please feel free to call for advice.

You may call these office numbers day or night. If the office is closed, you will be connected to our nursing staff.


Getting Ready for Delivery:

Pack your Hospital Bag: The hospital will become home away from home for a few days, so pack some comforting “extras.” Don’t forget you will be leaving with a new bundle, so bring some things for the baby!


For labor:

  • Your Prenatal Records (if they had been given to you) and health insurance card
  • Lotion or oil for massage
  • Your favorite pillow or blanket
  • Socks
  • Slippers
  • Bathrobe
  • Lip balm
  • A clip or hairband to pull back your hair
  • Brush/comb
  • Reading materials
  • A picture or favorite object to focus on during contractions
  • Glasses, if you wear them

For your hospital stay:

  • Open-front nightgowns or pajamas
  • Nursing bra and nursing pads
  • Shampoo, lotion, toothbrush and toothpaste, and personal toiletries
  • Loose-fitting clothes to wear home

For the baby:

  • Infant car seat
  • Receiving blanket
  • Mittens
  • A few diapers (just in case stops need to be made on the way home)
  • Diaper wipes
  • A few onesies