At some point — probably at night, because labour loves the night shift — you'll pick up the phone and call your maternity unit. The midwife who answers isn't making small talk; every question is part of a structured assessment to decide one thing: is it time for you to come in, or are you and your baby better served by staying home a little longer?
Knowing the questions in advance makes the call calmer and faster. Here's what to expect.
"How often are the contractions coming? How long do they last? How strong are they?"
This trio is almost universal, and it maps directly to how midwives assess established labour (commonly around 3–4 strong contractions in every 10 minutes, lasting 45–60 seconds). Useful answers sound like:
"In the last 10 minutes I had three, each lasting about a minute, and I can't talk through them any more."
Vague answers — "they're pretty often, quite long?" — usually lead to the midwife asking you to time them and call back. Doing a single timed 10-minute check just before you ring gets you the precise version in one go.
She may also listen to you through a contraction on the phone. That's deliberate: how you sound mid-contraction is one of the most reliable signals a midwife has at a distance.
"Have your waters broken? When? What colour was the fluid?"
If your waters have gone, note the time and look at the colour before you call. Clear or pinkish is the expected answer; green or brown fluid (which can mean meconium) or fresh blood are things the midwife needs to know immediately, and will usually mean coming in regardless of contractions.
"Is your baby moving as normal?"
Babies keep moving during labour. If movements have reduced or changed, say so clearly and early in the call — it changes the assessment more than any contraction pattern does.
Expect quick-fire context questions: How many weeks are you? Is this your first baby? Any complications this pregnancy — and where are your notes? Has anything been flagged for labour (for example group B strep, a planned induction date, or a baby in breech position)? How far away do you live? Second and subsequent labours are often faster, and the midwife factors travel time into her advice.
"How are you managing with the pain?"
This isn't a test of toughness. It's data: a first-time mother coping comfortably with chat between contractions paints a different picture from one who can no longer speak on the phone at all. Answer honestly.
Before you dial: do a timed 10-minute contraction check; note when your waters went (if they have) and the colour; have your maternity notes and gestation to hand; check baby has been moving. That's the whole preparation — four facts, and the call almost runs itself.
If you'd like the contraction half handled for you, Tocos runs exactly this kind of timed check — tap at the start and end of each contraction and read the summary straight down the phone.
Tocos is a timing tool, not a medical device. It doesn't monitor your body or provide medical advice. Always follow the guidance of your midwife, doctor or birth unit, and contact them directly if you have any concerns. If you think something is urgent, call immediately — maternity triage lines are staffed around the clock precisely for that.