Expectant Parent
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most common questions we receive from expectant/new parents.
If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Are you a provider interested in Nurse Core Triage? Visit our Provider FAQ.
Calling After Hours
What happens when I call my provider's office after hours?
If your provider partners with Nurse Core Triage, after-hours calls to the office are routed to our secure nurse triage system. You’ll be asked to leave a message and indicate whether your concern is urgent or non-urgent. Urgent concerns are returned promptly by a triage nurse, who provides guidance and escalates to the on-call provider if needed. Non-urgent messages are securely documented and sent to your provider’s office for follow-up during regular business hours.
When will a nurse call me back?
If your provider partners with Nurse Core Triage and you select urgent, a triage nurse will return your call as quickly as possible—our goal is within 5 minutes. If your message is non-urgent, it will be securely documented and sent to your provider’s office for follow-up during normal business hours.
How does the after-hours telephone system work?
If your provider partners with Nurse Core Triage, calls made to the office after hours are routed to a secure nurse triage system. You’ll be prompted to leave a message describing your concern and indicate whether it is urgent or non-urgent. Urgent messages are prioritized and returned promptly by a triage nurse. Non-urgent messages are securely documented and forwarded to your provider’s office for follow-up during regular business hours.
When is nurse triage available?
If your provider partners with Nurse Core Triage, nurse triage is available when the office is closed, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, based on your provider’s after-hours coverage plan. During regular business hours, your provider’s office typically handles patient calls and questions.
Who will I speak with when I call after hours?
If your provider partners with Nurse Core Triage and your concern is urgent, you will hear back from an experienced registered nurse with specialized training in obstetrics and women’s health. Our nurses provide guidance based on established triage protocols and will involve your provider if needed.
Urgent vs. Emergency Concerns
Urgent vs. Emergency Concerns
If your provider partners with Nurse Core Triage, you can call after hours for urgent concerns and a triage nurse will return your call promptly. If you believe you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
Examples of urgent concerns (call and leave a message)
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Signs of labor or regular, painful contractions
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Your water breaks or you think it may have broken
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Decreased baby movement
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Vaginal bleeding that is not soaking 1 pad every 15 minutes
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Severe or worsening abdominal/pelvic pain or persistent cramping
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Possible preterm labor symptoms (pelvic pressure, low back pain, cramping before 37 weeks)
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Severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling of face/hands, or right upper abdominal pain
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Fever (especially with other symptoms) during pregnancy or postpartum
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Persistent vomiting or unable to keep fluids down
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Symptoms of a urinary tract infection (burning, urgency, fever, back pain)
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Postpartum concerns such as heavy bleeding, passing large clots, worsening incision pain/redness/drainage, or severe perineal pain
Examples of a medical emergency (call 911 or go to the ER)
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Trouble breathing, chest pain, or fainting
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Seizure, confusion, or loss of consciousness
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Heavy bleeding soaking 1 pad every 15 minutes or uncontrolled bleeding
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Severe abdominal pain with weakness or feeling like you may pass out
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Severe allergic reaction (swelling of face/lips, difficulty breathing)
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Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, or feeling unsafe
If you’re unsure what to do, it’s okay to call and leave a message. We’re here to help guide you to the appropriate level of care.
What types of concerns should I call about after hours?
If your provider partners with Nurse Core Triage, you can call after hours for urgent concerns and a triage nurse will return your call promptly. If you believe you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
Examples of urgent concerns (call and leave a message)
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Signs of labor or regular, painful contractions
-
Your water breaks or you think it may have broken
-
Decreased baby movement
-
Vaginal bleeding that is not soaking 1 pad every 15 minutes
-
Severe or worsening abdominal/pelvic pain or persistent cramping
-
Possible preterm labor symptoms (pelvic pressure, low back pain, cramping before 37 weeks)
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Severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling of face/hands, or right upper abdominal pain
-
Fever (especially with other symptoms) during pregnancy or postpartum
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Persistent vomiting or unable to keep fluids down
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Symptoms of a urinary tract infection (burning, urgency, fever, back pain)
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Postpartum concerns such as heavy bleeding, passing large clots, worsening incision pain/redness/drainage, or severe perineal pain
Examples of a medical emergency (call 911 or go to the ER)
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Trouble breathing, chest pain, or fainting
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Seizure, confusion, or loss of consciousness
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Heavy bleeding soaking 1 pad every 15 minutes or uncontrolled bleeding
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Severe abdominal pain with weakness or feeling like you may pass out
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Severe allergic reaction (swelling of face/lips, difficulty breathing)
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Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, or feeling unsafe
If you’re unsure what to do, it’s okay to call and leave a message. We’re here to help guide you to the appropriate level of care.
What should I do if I have an urgent concern?
If your provider partners with Nurse Core Triage and you have an urgent concern after hours, call your provider’s office and follow the after-hours instructions. You’ll be prompted to leave a message and indicate that your concern is urgent, and a triage nurse will return your call as quickly as possible.
If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
What should I do in an emergency?
If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. Nurse Core Triage is not intended to replace emergency services and should not be used for life-threatening situations.
How do I know if my concern is urgent or non-urgent?
A concern is usually urgent if it involves new, worsening, or concerning symptoms that can’t safely wait until the next business day—such as pain, bleeding, changes in baby’s movement, signs of labor, fever, or symptoms that are causing you worry. Non-urgent concerns are typically questions or issues that can wait for your provider’s office to follow up during normal business hours.
If you’re unsure, it’s okay to call and leave a message—our goal is to help guide you to the appropriate level of care.
Test Results & Follow-Up
Can I get my test results through after-hours nurse triage?
Nurse triage services don’t have access to your medical records or test results. Their role is to assess symptoms, provide guidance, and help determine next steps—not to review or release lab or imaging results.
Here’s what you can do instead:
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Contact the provider or facility that ordered the test (doctor’s office, clinic, hospital).
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Check your patient portal if your provider uses one—many results are released there.
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Ask the triage nurse what to do next if you’re having symptoms or are concerned while waiting for results.
What happens if my concern is not urgent?
If your concern is not urgent, the nurse will provide guidance, education, and reassurance when appropriate. You may receive self-care recommendations, tips on what symptoms to monitor, and advice on when to follow up. If needed, the nurse can also help you determine the best next step—such as contacting your provider during office hours or scheduling a routine appointment. Our goal is to support you, even when concerns are minor, so you feel confident about what to do next.
Will a provider be notified of my call?
In most cases, yes. A summary of your call is documented and shared with your provider’s office according to their preferences and established workflows. This helps keep your care team informed and supports continuity of care. If your concern requires immediate follow-up, the nurse will take appropriate steps to notify the provider promptly.
Privacy & What to Expect
Is my information kept private?
Yes. Your information is kept private and handled securely. Nurse triage services follow strict privacy and confidentiality standards, including HIPAA regulations. Information from your call is only shared with your healthcare team as needed to support your care and is never used or disclosed outside of those purposes.
How is my call documented?
Your call is documented by the nurse in a secure clinical system. The documentation includes relevant details about your symptoms, questions, and the guidance provided. This information becomes part of your care record and may be shared with your provider’s office according to their established workflows to help ensure safe, coordinated care.
Will my call be recorded?
Calls may be recorded for quality assurance and training purposes, depending on the program and local regulations. If recording is used, it is done in compliance with privacy laws, and recordings are kept secure and accessed only by authorized personnel.
What information should I have ready when I call?
When you call, it’s helpful to have your name, date of birth, and your provider or practice name available. Be prepared to describe your symptoms or concerns, when they started, and any changes you’ve noticed. If applicable, having information about your pregnancy (such as how far along you are), recent test results, medications, or allergies can also help the nurse assist you more effectively.
Pregnancy & Postpartum Support
What pregnancy concerns can nurse triage help with?
Nurse triage can help with many common pregnancy-related concerns, including nausea or vomiting, pain or cramping, bleeding or spotting, decreased fetal movement, headaches, swelling, fever, urinary symptoms, and questions about medications or normal pregnancy changes. The nurse will assess your symptoms, provide guidance, and help you determine the safest next steps—whether that’s home care, contacting your provider, or seeking urgent care.
Can I call with postpartum questions or concerns?
Yes. Nurse triage can help with many postpartum questions and concerns, including pain, bleeding, incision or wound care, breastfeeding questions, fever, mood changes, and general recovery after delivery. The nurse will assess your symptoms, provide guidance, and help you decide on the next appropriate step in your care.
What if I’m not sure whether I should call?
If you’re unsure, it’s always okay to call. Nurse triage is here to help you sort through questions and symptoms, even if they seem minor. The nurse will ask a few questions, assess what’s going on, and help you decide the safest next step—whether that’s reassurance and home care, contacting your provider, or being seen urgently.
Planning Ahead
Will nurse triage be available 24/7 in the future?
Yes. I plan to offer parents 24/7 access through a direct line and a subscription service. This will be available for education and support—including answers to common questions, guidance on what’s normal, and help thinking through symptoms and next steps. This service does not replace your doctor’s guidance or medical advice, and you should always defer to your provider for medical concerns, treatment decisions, and follow-up. If you believe you or your baby are experiencing an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
How will parents contact you (phone, text, app)?
Parents will be able to contact me through a dedicated direct line, with additional options such as text-based support planned as the service evolves. Details about communication methods, availability, and how to access the service will be shared closer to launch.