Have I been incredibly stupid

ladameperdue · August 2013

Potential parenting fail #1. This may be a little long, apologies in advance. So far I've taken a fairly laissez-faire approach to the birth - thinking it will probably be at most one very unpleasant day that probably would not follow any carefully laid plans anyway, etc. However, while having dinner with our neighbors yesterday, I realized that yes, our due date is New Year's Eve, and yes the hospital is in midtown Manhattan... Neighbor asks - how are you going to get there? DH and I look at each other, simultaneously realizing the whole center of the city shuts down in gridlock for the ball drop.
I had been assuming we would take a cab when the time came, but now I'm thinking, if this baby is indeed born on NYE, there may be no cabs to be had, and independent car companies probably book up in advance that day (or maybe not?). We don't know anyone who owns a car here. I have never before ventured anywhere near the city on New Years - no idea what the subway will be like. Has anyone been here? Any NYC moms want to chime in?

The other options seem to be, plan to spend the week leading up to it at my parents' house an hour away and plan to have the baby at nearby teaching hospital. This would inevitably turn into a family affair as both my brother and sister are brand new nurses at said hospital, and I can see the whole thing turning into a big birth party complete with giant Italian American family (help me). I would rather keep them all away until it's over.

Or talk to dr about scheduling some kind of induction? Really don't want to do that either, but... what would you do? How concerned would you be about baby being one of the 10% born on its due date? Should DH start taking midwifery classes, or should we start scoping out hotels at various points along the upper west side in case we try to walk and don't make it? Feel free to have a good giggle on my behalf.

KelseyKetchum · August 2013

I personally would camp out in or near the hospital

adawn1981 · August 2013

You could always call 911 and take an ambulance. Overkill? Maybe, but if there are no cabs and you have no car you need to get there somehow. I am sure you will not be the first person to do it.

northport6 · August 2013

Sweet. Jesus. This is a little bit of a problem should you actually go on NYE, but as you noted, that's super unlikely. My advice would be that once your contractions start going regularly on NYE, I'd just head to the hospital, even if you're not timed the way they want you to be timed before going in -- the earlier you get in transit and arrive at the hospital, the better off you'll be, I think. I can't imagine you'll be laboring on the subway, but if you have to, it's better to not be too far along with the contractions. Talk to your OB about the possibility and about your concerns with transit to the hospital -- don't bring up an induction, though, because you never know if a doctor is going to encourage that for their own reasons (like not wanting to come in and deliver on NYE or something).

74dragonfly · August 2013

ColeRose said:
Honestly, you have awhile to go before you have to worry about this. I would stick with the practice you are seeing now to deliver aka not going an hour away. I would potentially book a hotel room within walking distance to your hospital just in case. If you deliver before then you can always cancel.

This is what I would do. If you don't go into labor it can just be a romantic night with DH.

cantsitwithus · August 2013

You don't even really know that you would have LO on NYE and I agree with @ColeRose. If you don't go into labor that night then you and DH can spend your last NYE without a child, living it up in a hotel room.

ladameperdue · August 2013

These are really good points about the ambulance (better to give birth in there than a cab if need be, right?) and a nearby hotel - thank you, didn't think of that one.

Maybe she'll come a week in advance or later and we won't even need to worry. : )

FutureMrsCaesar · August 2013

I like the hotel room idea, but honestly you are going to pay out your ass for a hotel there on NYE and you are going to need to book it like, yesterday. Of course if baby comes early you can always cancel it. I would ask your Dr what he/she recommends. He obviously encounters this problem every year so I'm sure he has some suggestions. FYI OBs are extremely busy with inductions and deliveries (health insurance & tax reasons) the last few days of the year, so if you think you might be leaning that direction you would want to get that on the books now.

edenkeever · August 2013

I would book a hotel close to your hospital...if you go into labor, you'll be right there. If you don't, babymoon!

MissyC979 · August 2013

Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Even if you do go into labor that day, first time labors are usually pretty long and you would likely have enough time to get to a hospital. I would just go in at the first sign of any labor, if it even happens that day. A hotel for that night sounds way too expensive to me.

nicholssquared · August 2013

Have you talked to your doctor? They deal with this every year - they'll probably have suggestions for you.

zou bisou · August 2013

Another vote for asking your ob. He or she probably has a strategy you haven't thought of.

And for what it's worth, I was worried about having a very short labor with baby #2 and delivering in the car. Our hospital was not very close. Our ob calmed my nerves by saying that baby coming too fast is not typically a problem. In most cases, mom and baby will be ok though it's good to know some CPR and how to clear a blocked airway. The majority of delivery issues are when baby is coming too slowly and the complications because of or during that. Not saying having a un-medicated birth in a car is anyone's ideal delivery experience, but at least it's usually ok health-wise.

ladameperdue · August 2013

@nicholssquared definitely planning to get her input at next appt. Just laughing at myself for not having thought of it until now.

natleilynn · August 2013

nicholssquared said:

Have you talked to your doctor? They deal with this every year - they'll probably have suggestions for you.

This! I'm sure you're not the first NYE Momma with concerns about this. They probably know some tricks you could use.

MamaHanna · August 2013

I am a former New Yorker and I think you will be fine. Depending on where you live I would not think it would take you more than a couple hours to get in. If your labor is only a couple hours then you are one lucky lady! Just go as soon as you feel something. You will have to spend more time at the hospital but it will be worth it!

lp0 · August 2013

I agree, definitely consult with your dr for a plan. There are usually signs of early labor (burst of energy, increased Braxton hicks contractions, etc). You could be extra careful about watching for these signs and head to the hospital early or hang out nearby.

PinkinProvence · August 2013

I can't think of any hospital in midtown Manhattan near Times Square so I think you are fine. Are you delivering at NYU? That is on the east side and won't be affected.

You probably won't be able to get a cab, but if you do happen to go into labor, a call for a police escort would be in order

Do you live in the city or are you coming in from somewhere? If you live in the city and are really worried, I would rent a car for a couple of days or get a zip car to use at your convenience. Hotels are probably either booked up already or cost prohibitive.

monkeybutt61612 · August 2013

I'm in NYC too and will likely have a C-section on nye. What hospital is in midtown that you may deliver at? I'm at NYU. The likelihood that you go into labor new years eve night is pretty slim. I honestly wouldn't worry too much about it.

logpowell · August 2013

I'm due Dec 30 in NYC so I could be in a similar situation except we have a car so worse case, my husband will drop me off at the hospital. Do you live in Manhattan? If so, I think you'll be able to find a cab or a black car looking for a fare. It might take a little longer than normal, so I'd probably try to go to the hospital earlier rather than laboring at home for as long as possible. If you are coming from outside of Manhattan, I would probably rent a car for a few days before/after just to be safe. I'd say skip the hotel - you would probably still need to find a cab from the hotel to the hospital and paying $500+ for a night isn't worth it. I also would not do the out of town family thing - you'll have to go to that dr for visits ahead of time which sounds like a huge pain!

SusanC111 · August 2013

FutureMrsCaesar said:

I like the hotel room idea, but honestly you are going to pay out your ass for a hotel there on NYE and you are going to need to book it like, yesterday. Of course if baby comes early you can always cancel it. I would ask your Dr what he/she recommends. He obviously encounters this problem every year so I'm sure he has some suggestions. FYI OBs are extremely busy with inductions and deliveries (health insurance & tax reasons) the last few days of the year, so if you think you might be leaning that direction you would want to get that on the books now.

This is what I'm thinking. I can't believe there's even hotels still available and they if there are, they prob cost $$$$$. I'm on Team Ask Dr.

Aycul18 · August 2013

I would say should you actually fall into the 10% to go into labor on your due date, your best bet is to call an ambulance.

A hotel room is going to cost an arm and a leg, and they may charge you a cancellation fee due to the holiday.

Also, if your lucky your insurance may cover all or part of the ambulance, and they are trained professionals, so on the off chance that you wouldn't make it to the hospital, at least it would be a sterile environment rather than a dirty cab.

Just my 2 cents :-)

2010weddinggal · August 2013

Aycul18 said:

I would say should you actually fall into the 10% to go into labor on your due date, your best bet is to call an ambulance.

A hotel room is going to cost an arm and a leg, and they may charge you a cancellation fee due to the holiday.

Also, if your lucky your insurance may cover all or part of the ambulance, and they are trained professionals, so on the off chance that you wouldn't make it to the hospital, at least it would be a sterile environment rather than a dirty cab.

Just my 2 cents :-)

Ambulances are far from sterile

trust me I know from experience, but I would rather have the baby in the back of an ambulance with sterile supplies then in the back of a cab with next to nothing.....

ladameperdue · August 2013

Thanks ladies - it's St Luke's Roosevelt, 59th and 10th and we're coming from uptown (so could be worse if going crosstown, I think). Really helpful suggestions.

PinkinProvence · August 2013

Oh you're fine with SLR. There will ne no street closures anywhere near there. That's really uptown not midtown.

If you do go into labor on NYE, I do not think it will be impossible to find a cab. But if it is taking too long to hail a cab, an ambulance can get you there in no time. No one drives in the city on NYE so there will be no traffic!

Want a personalized experience?

Have I been incredibly stupid

Re: Have I been incredibly stupid

Choose Another Board

Search Boards