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3rd Trimester
countrymice06
member
Going into labor at work...
countrymice06
member
So, I'm a teacher, and although I know it is rare, I think a lot about my water breaking/going into labor while I'm with kids. I kind of had a mental plan as to what I would do, thinking that my guidance counselor friend could drive me. (Depending on traffic, it could be up to an hour drive to the hospital.)
But then another teacher-mom told me that because of liability issues, if a pregnant employee's water breaks at school, she has to go to the hospital by ambulance.
Has anyone else heard of that? This scares the heck out of me! I hate a huge scene and I'm pretty sure my kids would be traumatized for life- not to mention how expensive it would probably be.
I'm going to ask on Monday, just wanted to hear others' thoughts.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Going into labor at work...
Yeah I am not sure how they could force you to take an ambulance but if that were the case, maybe you could at least sit in the main office and wait, not your room so the kids possibly won't see what's going on.
I would definitely ask tomorrow to clarify things and then change your plans if needed. Like PP said, can you call a family member or friend?
I'm a teacher too, and have been working on a plan for what to do if my water breaks at school. I'll call the librarian to come cover for me, get to the restroom, and have the school nurse call my emergency contact who will drive me to the hospital. The idea is for the kids to know nothing, or at the very least to know only that I left campus before the end of the school day. They should see and hear nothing of a personal nature that might either freak them out or give them more information than I'd like them to have.
Work out a coverage plan with your counselor friend so even if she can't drive you to the hospital she can take over for you if needed. Heck, work out a code phrase so you don't have to directly discuss labor/water breaking within earshot of your students. If you do have to take an ambulance, it won't have its lights and siren on, so there's a good chance that most of the kids will never even know it arrived for you.
Also, if this is your first baby your labor is likely going to be long. If your water does break on its own it's important for you to get to the hospital within a few hours, but it's not imperative that you be there within minutes.
I would pitch a fit if my school called an ambulance against my will. After all, I'm the one that gets stuck with the bill, not them. My plan is:
1. Have a water bottle handy at all times so I can dump it on myself if my water breaks and then the kids will think I'm just a slob instead of realizing what happened. (This is also going to be my code for my team leader- "Hey, kid, go tell Ms. H that Mrs. Thiede spilled her water!"
2. Then a TA or another teacher will take my class so I can call my mom (she's closer than my DH) to come pick me up. When she gets there, I'll waddle out through the office and tell the office ladies I'm in labor and I'm leaving. Ta da! No ambulance!
Yeah, I'm planning on working up until the due date (or beyond, I guess) because I only get six weeks and I would hate to waste them before the baby gets here. I really don't have anyone outside of school to take me because my husband works pretty far past the hospital in the other direction.
Good points though! It will be interesting to see what they say tomorrow.