Going into labor when hospital is an hour away?

junely

I live an hour from my hospital and my husband works an hour from home...should I call an ambulance or attempt to drive myself if I go into labor when my husband is not home? Has anyone experienced this and if so, we're you experiencing contractions every 5 minutes or farther before you started your journey in?

on_the_move

For my last birth and for this one I have been an hour away from the hospital.  I have always gone into labor in the evening so DH was home with me and it was my water breaking that made me go in.  For you I would give your DH a heads up if you start feeling any contractions and have him head home if they start getting regular even if they aren't 5 minutes apart yet.  It sounds like you might be a FTM so know that first labors are not normally very fast, but every woman is different.  Is there any one who is close to you that you could use as a back up to get you to the hospital.  I would let your doctor know about how far away you live and ask them if you should head to the hospital any sooner.

junely

Thank you for the advice! I am a STM, however, with our son four years ago, I was induced and had no early signs of labor before hand. Since everything was scheduled I feel as though I am a FTM...stressed out! Haha My husband and I have been discussing whether or not he should just meet me there. Another concern and horrible timing, is construction and detours on our route to the hospital. Even our backup route has construction going on. Talk about timing! I have to chuckle at the coincidences.

ChristyM87

I would not call an ambulance. Ambulances are under no obligation to take you to the hospital of your choice, and if your ideal hospital is 1 hour away my guess is there may be other hospitals closer that the emergency responders would be more likely to transport you too.

I would talk to your husband and discuss a plan. Seeing how labor is generally slow, I am planning on driving myself or calling a cab if my husband is at work

cMichelle0423

I agree, come up with a plan with you and you hubby. Unless you have an incredibly fast labor, you'll have more than enough time to get there. I'm going to be delivering at a birth center that's an hour and a half away from where I live. Although delivering in the car is like my biggest fear, I know realistically, if I listen to my body and have a plan put together, I'll make it there just fine. I know several people who live an hour+ away from their hospital, and have had no issues getting there in time.

tbasinski

I have the same problem. And my first two labors were quite quick. So basically at the first sign of labor I'm heading down closer to the hospital. I won't check in until my contractions are close but I'd prefer to be nearby. If my husband is at work (he works 48 he shifts) then I will either drive that way and meet him (his work is on the way sort of) or see if there is someone free to drive me. Kind of depends on how strong/close contractions are. If I don't feel I will be able to make it, then we go to the hospital down the street (not contracted w my insurance or I'd be going there). My husband is a paramedic and I'm an ER RN so we feel like we could handle whatever situation may arise, but obviously we want to be at the hospital to deliver.
For info- you could call an ambulance but they will take you to the closest hospital not the one you want to go to. Also, the reality is you have 9 mths to figure this out- so using an emergency resource because you didn't figure out a better plan isn't really appropriate. Please understand that there are most certainly situations where calling an ambulance when in labor is appropriate, but most of them aren't (in addition to my current job I used to be a 911 dispatcher so this is a bit of a pet peeve of mine.) in other words- start lining up alternate drivers, or consider an alternate delivery location is possible. (Again- my nearby hospital isn't contracted w my insurance but they by law have to not only see me when in labor, but also have to bill the insurance who then has to pay.)

millereliz13

Do you have a friend who could be on call to take you? Or a family member? My best friend lives 10 min away and has said she could help in an emergency. I only live 10 min from my hospital.