Travel at 38w

bloverde · May 2012

I've been planning a med free birth with my midwives since the start of pregnancy. The best laid plans.... My grandma needs a triple bypass on Friday at home, which is a fairly large city with an excellent healthcare system, four hours away. So, yay, road trip at 38w!

There are several larger cities along the way or very close to our route: Cleveland, Columbus. I know if LO decides its time, it will be more difficult for me to have a NB with some random doctor in some random city. I'll be brining my records of course. But what else can I do? My mainstay is not to go in too soon because that is more likely to lead to intervntion. If I go into labor actually at home, I can labor at my parents house. But if I'm in a car, I'm afraid I'll cave in and want to go to a hospital way too early. Advice?

SWBs Wifey · May 2012

I haven't even asked about leaving town this late in the game. With DS1 I was told not to go outside the immediate area (2 hours- and only to a larger city) after 32 weeks. (Earlier than many moms, but at the time, he was measuring small and they were a little concerned) This time, I was told no travel after 36 weeks.

mb314 · May 2012

Hopefully you would be okay, but I would research and potentially contact hospitals in Columbus, Cleveland and other nearby towns. Cities that large should have several different hospitals and I'm sure there are likely some that are friendlier to natural birth than others (perhaps some that have associations with midwife practices).

Would you consider going to to a birth center if needed in another town? I would also research what your insurance covers if you are "out of network"

LaurelBee · May 2012

I didn't travel after 36 w either, but it sounds like it's pretty necessary for you at this point. But it sounds like you are taking the necessary precautions. I would suggest lots of pit stops, little exercise, and no sex

Wishing your gma a sucessful surgery and quick recovery!

StefandTodd · May 2012

I went in a car trip to my IL's 2.5 hours away at 38 weeks. My LO didn't come until 40w, so I was okay. My plan though was to be able to leave immediately if I started to feel any cramps or contractions.

If you can be able to leave right away, I think you'll be okay getting through the first 4 hours of early labor in the car, if that were to happen. I think it's unlikely enough that that would be my plan. GL to you.

AshNish · May 2012

I will be in a similar situation - my brother is getting married 4 1/2-hours away 9 days before I am due. With my first birth I barely made it to our local hospital (I was fully dilated and pushing when we left for the hospital) let alone the hospital we were supposed to be going to 45min-1 hour away. I also had my first baby a few days early. We are planning on bringing my records along with us as well as knowing where we need to go in case I go into labour. My midwife has suggested since my first birth that I go to the hospital as soon as I suspect I'm in labour this time because of the speed of my first birth. I think if you have a backup plan laid out in case you go into labour you will probably be fine having your med-free birth even with a random doctor. Just make your plans clear from the beginning. Also, there is a good possibility that you will not have the baby at 38 weeks anyway. Good Luck!

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