What to expect when you call 999 during pregnancy or childbirth
Whether you are jumping for joy, still in a state of shock, or feeling a mixture of both at being pregnant, you can rest assured that should an emergency arise we’ll be there to support you if we’re needed.
Pregnancy brings a variety of changes to the body, both physical and emotional. Some of these changes will be common and expected such as tiredness, nausea, unexpected mood changes, but also less familiar concerns which require you to contact your booked maternity unit, named midwife or 999 for emergency pre-hospital maternity care.
Normally, labour is not an emergency and it is not considered appropriate to call 999. Instead, you should make your own way to hospital if that is where you have chosen to give birth. There may, however, be instances during pregnancy and childbirth where an ambulance may be needed such as:
- Fresh and heavy continuous bleeding (in excess of an egg-cup full)
- The birth of baby is happening faster than expected and there is a strong urge to push
- Sudden onset of severe and continuous abdominal pain
- Waters have broken and your baby’s umbilical cord is noticeable outside the vagina
- Your midwife has advised you to call 999
- Other medical emergencies such as breathing difficulties, chest pain or fitting
In the event of an emergency, stay on the line with our 999 call assessor who can advise and support you until an ambulance crew arrives. If possible, please have your electronic or paper copy of your pregnancy notes ready for our crews when they arrive. They’ll ask you lots of question, but please make sure to let them know of any complications in your medical history generally and your pregnancy in particular as this will help them identify what the best course of treatment and care will be for you and your baby.
Important information:
- If you call 999 and it is NOT a life-threatening emergency, you may be referred to 111 for an over-the-phone assessment or be advised to contact your booked maternity unit/midwife and make your own way to hospital.
- In the event of an emergency, on occasions you may be transferred to the nearest maternity unit. Although, this may not be your booked hospital, it is important for the safety of you and your unborn baby.
- If your baby is born at home and you need transport to hospital, for patient safety reasons and to coincide with seat belt regulations 2016 unless a suitable 3-point car seat is provided, we may ask for you and your baby to travel in separate ambulances. We know this is not ideal, but it is important to ensure the safety of both you and your baby during the journey to hospital. Your birth partner is welcome to travel with you, or with your baby.
- Unlike registered midwives, our ambulance staff are not qualified to perform certain elements of midwifery care such as vaginal examinations, listening to babies’ heartbeat, facilitating water-births etc. Please try your best to follow their instructions if they ask you to perform an action, such as requesting you to come out of the water. This ensures ambulance crews work within their knowledge and scope of paramedic practice.
- Ambulance staff may contact the maternity unit for advice / guidance; they are the experts in this field so their guidance will be followed by our staff
- If a crew recommends you go to hospital, please follow the advice so we can protect the safety of you and your baby.
- Please be respectful to our staff, whatever the situation. From call handlers to control room clinicians, as well as our ambulance crews, they are all to do their job in the best way possible to ensure you and your baby’s safety is maintained at all times.