Ensure you have the appropriate telephone numbers so you can ring for advice. The maternity unit will have midwives available 24hrs/day, so don't think that it is too late or too early to ring.

The reasons you should take your partner to hospital are:
. Contractions. The general advice is that the contractions should be five minutes apart and lasting approximately 45 seconds. Your partner may find the contractions are uncomfortable before they get to this stage. If your partner is unable to cope with the pain you should ring the maternity unit for advice.
. Bleeding.
Bleeding at any stage of pregnancy is abnormal and you need to seek medical advice. The "show" a plug of mucus that sits inside the cervix can be streaked with blood, but any fresh red bleeding should be reported to the midwife.
. Ruptured membranes.
If you think your partner's waters have broken you should contact the midwife.
. Reduced baby movements.
The general advice is that babies should have 10 episodes of movement a day. If the baby moves less than 10 times a day you should contact the midwife, or if you are concerned with a change in pattern of movements.
. Any other worries.