According to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), an emergency medical condition is one in which acute symptoms are so severe (including severe pain) that the lack of immediate medical attention could result in serious damage to bodily functions or organs, or placing the health of an individual or unborn child in serious jeopardy.
For a pregnant woman who’s having contractions, an emergency medical condition includes insufficient time to safely transfer to another hospital before delivery or a transfer that may pose a threat to the health or safety of the woman or her unborn child.