An Hour From the Hospital

maverickmomma

Hey ladies,

So this is my second pregnancy and the hospital in town doesn't deal in childbirth. So our closest and best hospital for the job is an hour away. My first was an induction because I was diagnosed late in my third trimester with preeclampsia. So far, nothing like that has been diagnosed and everything has been going smoothly (except the typical discomfort. About 34 weeks and I'm ready to be done).

What did you ladies do in such situations, or what do you plan on doing if you're in similar shoes to mine? 

ashley.hamilton13

I birthed my first at a birth center that was about an hour away.  I plan on doing the same this time around.  My plan was also to labor at home for awhile before heading there.  I ended up heading in sooner than I thought just because I didn't know how I would handle the car ride once I felt the pain.  Honestly I hated being in the car.  When I got to the BC they told me I could put my things in a room and go have lunch and come back but I didn't want to get back into the car.  An hour in the car isn't the most fun, but it's not the worst.  

I think this time (depending on what time of day I go into labor) I may get my things together and head that way sooner and stop for lunch or to walk around halfway to the BC.

yasandson

I dont have any input sorry im a ftm to be... Im just curious as to how sooner you'd have to hit the road this time since they say your second child comes faster than the first, shorter labor... 

maverickmomma

It's fine, don't worry. I called up my doctor about it today and she said at my next appt she is going to examine my cervix and see if we can schedule an induction when I hit 39 weeks. I guess we will talk about what to do in the event my DS doesn't wait that long. 

on_the_move

My #2, #3 and this baby are all going to be born at hospitals over an hour away and it hasn't been a problem. For the second I thought my water might have broken so we headed over, but I wasn't having any contractions yet. For the third I was scheduled for an induction because I hadn't gone into labor a week after my due date. 

It's pretty common in my area to be that far away and I haven't heard of any issues. I hope that helps ease any anxiety you might be having. 

maverickmomma

It helps, the only reason why there is so much concern is because my daughter was born about 45 minutes after I was induced. And second children are typically faster than the first. Not always, but typically. Which I think is why the OB I spoke to is leaning toward getting me a scheduled induction if everything adds up fine at my next appointment.

kmornelas29

I would highly advise not doing the induction because of distance from the hospital. Inductions increase csection rate. It also puts more distress on baby. An hour is not far at all for labor. If your that concerned maybe get a hotel near by the hospital to be at the minute you feel anything so you are close. Not all labors are the same, and being induced with a baby 45 minutes later is not indicative of this labor. I would wait until labor really starts and feel it out. 

maverickmomma

u.u;

I appreciate the advice, @kmornelas29 but the induction was recommended by my doctor to prevent the possibility of me giving birth in the car. It's merely an option they're considering at this point, too. If I get a hotel, I still have an hour drive. And sitting in a hotel IF I even make it that far after labor starts doesn't really make much sense. Plus it's a lot of money to throw away unnecessarily when I can just go to the hospital the second I feel labor starting or the second I feel my water breaking. Especially when that money could go to better uses, like buying more baby diapers. And that's a lot to risk on a big "if" ... especially with my SO having to drive 30 minutes from work, and him working Mon-Fri from 3pm-11pm. That would only tack on an additional 30 minutes to the already 1 hour drive (we only have one car).
Also, I read an article where it did say that induction increases c-section. Only to read another article by the same website that said "maybe we were wrong." 
In case you'd like to read it: https://www.fitpregnancy.com/pregnancy/labor-delivery/induction-does-not-increase-c-section-risk

So at this point, I can't really say either way that such information is correct. Not with two sources saying the opposite facts.
Not that I don't appreciate you trying to warn me. But unfortunately it looks like the info is inaccurate.

However, I think it is necessary to say that when it comes to induction they will monitor the baby, the baby's growth (to make sure baby is developmentally read), and they will also be checking me to see if my body would be ready and able to have an induction. Doctors don't induce unless both mom and baby are ready. Plus, voluntary induction doesn't occur until 39 weeks anyway which baby MAY decide to come before that and I may have to haul ass to the hospital to begin with. But by 39 weeks, baby is considered full term. 

But again, all this is completely based on IF they go through with the induction idea. Which again wouldn't be performed until later in my 39th week, so labor may occur naturally beforehand anyway. But personally I'm absolutely petrified of that happening because I'm not sure that my SO will be home when it happens, I'm not sure that I won't start to give birth before we reach the hospital, and I really don't want to be having contractions during such a long car ride. I appreciate your advice but I just don't think it's something I can really do.

momma6angels11

About the induction making a C-Section more likely...lol... This has never been the case for me and Ive been induced with all 6 of my children! ALL born vaginally..
@maverickmomma if your ob is offering an induction so you are not left on the side of the road delivering a baby,I would definitely choose that over being on the side of the road. 

ailynk

I lived an hour from hospital for previous birth and labor was just 4hrs.

Our plans was to call an ambulance if in doubt.

What I did, I lined car seat with plastic then a folded towel in case water broke, and had a bucket in case of nausea. My husband and I educated ourselves on how to deliver the baby in an emergency and had the relevant supplies such as towels, blankets, water and something to place placenta in. No need to clamp or cut cord as ambulance should arrive in time to do that etc even if you're in the middle of nowhere. Emergency services would talk you through the delivery anyway.

We got to the hospital safely though and water didn't break until I got there. Contractions aren't that painful while water in tact as it dampens them. As soon as my water broke, omg the pain, haha.

asickles98

I was induced with three out four of our kids.  I would rather be induced then deliver where there is no one to assist.