How far are you willing to drive...

jashikcrib

to get to your hospital? Just asking b/c currently I'm registered for a hospital that's an hour away...wondering if that might be too far and if I should switch now...

theredofhead

We live 40 minutes away from the hospital without traffic, but in rush hour it has taken 1.5-2 hours... all worth it to me for the care we receive!

Hoshikitsune

I am between two hospitals and both are an hour or more away.  Choose the one you are most comfortable with.

keshupe29

I live about 45 min from my hospital with no traffic. To make it more interesting husband works about an hr further. Soooo hoping labor starts when he's not at work as the drive is already enough and I don't want to have to wait for him to come home and pick me up!

coffee89

Mine is about 20-25 minutes with no traffic. If it is rush hour it could easily take 45 minutes to get there. My husband works in the city which can take 30 minutes to an hour to get back home depending on the time of day. 

Even more fun is we only have one car so DH normally takes the train and bus home. If I have the car and either gets delayed I'll have to pick him up from the train in labor. If he has the car I'm stuck in my apartment until he gets home. I'm banking on the fact that he's only gone from home 50 hours or so out of the whole week so odds are in my favor of him being around.

LyndseylovesHugh

My hospital is 45 minutes away with no traffic. The closest one is 30 mins so I figured another 15 mins was worth delivering at the hospital I wanted to. When I was pregnant with DD my midwife knew how far if a drive it was and just adjusted the point that she wanted me to start my trek in. I ended up being induced so it wasn't an issue either way. This time I have a scheduled csection, but I could of course go into labor before that day, I'm not concerned about the drive.

Ashlieghee

I live 4 hours from the nearest hospital I will be staying with family the last 2 weeks so praying no early labor!

A&DPritchett2be

I am 45 mins away from my hospital, but I don't have a choice as I have to deliver on a military base. I know plenty of women who traveled an hour or more to the hospital, so you should be fine, but like PP said maybe head in earlier than what is normally recommended.

ElTrain5

Currently in labor, I could sit in a car for an hour, it would be uncomfortable but doable. I think you may want to consider going in earlier (like where I'm at now) when you're still dealing well with the contractions and just spending more time laboring there. I'm waiting at home until it gets much worse, but I've only got a 15 minute drive.

jashikcrib

@ElTrain5‌ oh my keep us posted!!

24karat

With DD, 35 minutes (even though there was a hospital 7 minutes away from our house) because of the staff and philosophies. With the twins 1.5hrs as it was the closest hospital to us with a L3 NICU available.

NADA-H

I chose my hospital based on their birth procedures and the doctor that I wanted + the cost was ok (private hospital)

the fact that it's a 5 minutes drive away from our home was just the cherry on top.

I would not want to be in the car for an hour while in active labor

haliebabyx3

Ours is about 45 minutes to an hour away with some traffic. I actually changed hospitals because one would take 2 hours if it were during rush hour, but they are sister hospitals. I have heard they treat you like gold at both, so I'm okay with the drive to get there.

ConversationFear

Ours takes about 30 minutes to get to without traffic. I've been concerned about being in the car that long in labor too, but it's mostly interstate driving, so as long we don't take the bumpy back roads, it might not be too bad.

 

naturaloaklandmama

I agree with all of the other commenters -- you want to go with the best care even if it means a further drive. However, I would talk to your provider to see if this changes the 4:1:1 determination of when you actually head in to the hospital. Perhaps you head in earlier if you ahve a long drive and thus you might not be in active labor and less uncomfortable? Not sure this is all FTM speculation over here -- but I know I would definitely want to know if this changed my timetable for actually getting into the car. Best of luck!

rainbowdashh

The hospital that accepts my insurance is 48 miles from my house. I have no choice but to drive at least 30 minutes!

AMcLaws

My hospital is maybe 10 minutes away. With DD1, it was about 20-30 minutes away.

Russiandea12

Mine is about 45 minutes away, but I was no comfortable with the care I was receiving at my local hospital, so I am more than happy to drive to receive better care.

LenaLove

Mine is about 35 minutes away.  I waited a little long to go in last time, and the car ride was pure torture.  I think you will be ok, just head in earlier than you normally would so that you aren't too uncomfortable and don't risk having the baby in the car

nolongerdinks

I would just recommend you leave for the hospital before your contractions are too close together. I think a suggestion is 4-7 minutes apart. If you have a far drive, maybe go when they are 10 minutes apart. I would ask your OB what their recommendation would be.

kateronium

I'm 5 minutes away from the only hospital that will deliver baby's for 100 miles (we have two hospitals but one of them doesn't have an L&D area.

T&HLove

My 1st pregnancy we drove almost 30 min depending on traffic. I loved the hospital, but my dd ended up in the Nicu (was totally unexpected- had completely normal pregnancy and labor after 40 wks) the Nicu was great, too. But driving there each day would just not be possible now that we also have a toddler to care for. So, we chose to go to the hospital ~5 min from home this time... Just in case.