Medical disclaimer: This page is general health information for education only. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a qualified health professional. It has not been reviewed by a clinician. In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.
Call emergency services if birth appears imminent.
If you think the baby is coming now and there is a strong urge to push, call your local emergency number for an ambulance. In the United States, call 911; in the United Kingdom, call 999. Follow the dispatcher’s instructions.
If you think labor has started
Contact your maternity team for guidance. Contact them urgently if your waters break, there is vaginal bleeding, the baby is moving less than usual, or you think labor has begun before 37 weeks. Do not wait until the next day.
If you have heavy vaginal bleeding, call 911 or your local emergency number now.
Use live professional guidance
This page is a route to urgent help. It is not a delivery procedure, and it should not delay calling for assistance.
The NHS guide to signs that labour has begun describes when to contact a maternity unit and when to call an ambulance. See our first aid resources for other emergencies. Service numbers and care pathways depend on your location.
Sources & further reading
Sources consulted September 20, 2026. This is a drafting date, not a medical review date.