Key points
- 5-1-2 rule: contractions every 5 minutes, lasting 1 minute, for 2 hours.
- Go to the hospital right away if your water breaks, you bleed like a period, or your baby moves less.
- We deliver at HCA Florida University Hospital in Davie.
- Choose a pediatrician close to home who accepts your insurance.
When should I go to the hospital?
Follow the 5-1-2 rule: go when contractions come every 5 minutes, last 1 minute each, and have been that way for 2 hours. If this is not your first baby, or you live far from the hospital, go sooner — when contractions are every 5–10 minutes and regular.
Go right away, regardless of contractions, if:
- Your water breaks — a gush or steady trickle of fluid (note the time and the fluid’s color)
- You have bleeding like a period or heavier
- Your baby is moving less
- You have signs of preeclampsia: severe headache, vision changes, pain under the right ribs, sudden swelling
What if my water breaks before labor starts?
This is called PROM (premature rupture of membranes); before 37 weeks it is called PPROM. Either way, go to Labor & Delivery to be checked, even if you have no contractions. Do not put anything in the vagina. Green, brown or bloody fluid needs to be seen right away.
Where do I go?
HCA Florida University Hospital Labor & Delivery, 3476 S University Dr, Davie, FL 33328 · 954-475-5758. Save this in your phone and plan your route, including at rush hour.
How do I choose a pediatrician?
Your baby will see a pediatrician 1–2 days after you go home. Look for a practice that:
- Is close to home (ideally within about 15 minutes)
- Has hours that work for your family, plus after-hours advice
- Accepts your insurance
Tell the hospital your pediatrician’s name when you arrive. Choosing a pediatrician.
What is the GBS test?
A quick vaginal-rectal swab between 36 and 37 weeks checks for group B strep. If it is positive, you receive IV antibiotics in labor to protect your baby. A positive result is common; it is not a sign of poor hygiene or an infection you need to treat now.
Should I decide about circumcision now?
If you are having a boy, let us know your decision before delivery. Circumcision is optional.
Has anything changed about pain relief?
Your choices from the 33-week visit still apply — comfort measures, IV medicine, and an epidural when you ask for one in active labor.
What are my birth control options after delivery?
You can get pregnant again before your first period returns. Waiting at least 18 months before your next pregnancy is healthiest for you and your next baby. Options include:
| Option | How long it works | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IUD (hormonal or copper) | 3–12 years | Can be placed at delivery or at your postpartum visit; safe with breastfeeding |
| Implant (Nexplanon) | Up to 3 years (approved), often longer | Can be placed before you leave the hospital; safe with breastfeeding |
| Progestin-only pill or shot (Depo-Provera) | Daily / every 3 months | Safe with breastfeeding |
| Combined pill, patch or ring | Daily / weekly / monthly | Usually started 4–6 weeks after birth |
| Condoms | Each use | Also protect against STIs |
| Tubal sterilization or salpingectomy | Permanent | Can be done at cesarean or after vaginal birth; Medicaid requires consent at least 30 days before delivery |
Think it over and let us know your decision about permanent sterilization by your next visit. Birth control options.
Next visit: About 1–2 weeks; after 36 weeks we see you weekly.
Go to Labor & Delivery right away for heavy vaginal bleeding, leaking fluid, decreased fetal movement, severe headache or vision changes, severe abdominal pain, or regular contractions before 37 weeks. Do not wait for a callback. HCA Florida University Hospital Labor & Delivery, 3476 S University Dr, Davie, FL 33328 · 954-475-5758. In an emergency, call 911. When to call or go to the hospital.
Important: This information is general education about a typical pregnancy. It is not medical advice and may not apply to you. Every patient’s care is personalized to her own health history, test results and needs, so your plan may differ from what is described here. Always follow the instructions your doctor gives you. Questions? Call Davie ObGyn at 954-880-1010. Do not use a routine online message for urgent symptoms.
Medically reviewed by Rahil Malik, MD, FACOG, board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist. Last reviewed: October 7, 2026. Content follows current recommendations of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). This page is general information and does not replace a visit with your doctor.