Going into labor at work

TheBorg7of9 · October 2013

This is one of my fears. My last labor began in the middle of the night, but my contractions were 3 minutes apart from the get go.

How can I prepare for going into labor at work. I was thinking I should have a towel and extra pair of pants here. Anything else I should keep at the office?

Did this happen to anyone here. How did you get to the hospital? I will have to take a cab or wait for my husband (20-30 minutes away) to come pick me up. Should we keep the hospital bag in the car at all times?

Thanks for your input!

thedash · October 2013

A few overnight pads in case you are leaking fluid. Not much else you can do I think. I was terrified of this too but knew I was in labor before it got serious and stayed home that day. Good luck!

mexicolombiana · October 2013

I went into labor with my first at work. No big deal at all. I just started having contractions and went home where labor progressed. But my water never broke.

With my second i was on the couch and my water broke. If I had been at work it would have SUCKED. I mean I was like a waterfall gushing. I barely had enough time to strip naked and stand in the shower at home. Where the hell would I have gone at work? Even if I had gotten to a bathroom I would still have made a mess somewhere.

Anyway I would carry some big pads and towels in my car just in case.

I wouldn't be afraid of the timing because I would just drive myself to the hospital if labor was progressing or someone at work would drive me, but I really would hate to have my water break at work knowing how much I gushed last time!

Nechie122 · October 2013

I was working when I went into labor, but luckily my boss let me work from home that last week or so. Is that an option for you?

And, yes, I kept my hospital bag with me whenever I left the house after about 39 weeks. My husband thought I was crazy! Ha, maybe I was.

TheBorg7of9 · October 2013

mexicolombiana said:

I went into labor with my first at work. No big deal at all. I just started having contractions and went home where labor progressed. But my water never broke.

With my second i was on the couch and my water broke. If I had been at work it would have SUCKED. I mean I was like a waterfall gushing. I barely had enough time to strip naked and stand in the shower at home. Where the hell would I have gone at work? Even if I had gotten to a bathroom I would still have made a mess somewhere.

Anyway I would carry some big pads and towels in my car just in case.

I wouldn't be afraid of the timing because I would just drive myself to the hospital if labor was progressing or someone at work would drive me, but I really would hate to have my water break at work knowing how much I gushed last time!

Thanks for your input!

I take public transportation to work though.... so, I think if I went into labor my only options would be cab or wait for DH.

Pips09 · October 2013

I know so many women worry about this, but it shouldn't be a big deal. Keep some pads at work in case your water breaks, and you'll either get a ride from a co-worker or take a cab to the hospital. I only know one woman who actually had their water break at work (since it's not usually the first sign of labor). She tied a sweatshirt around her waist and drove herself.

NicoleWI · October 2013

I worked until close to my due date each time, and then worked from home until I went into labor or until I had scheduled being off. Is that an option? That is your BEST option. Working from home was WAY less stressful while worrying about going into labor. For the week until my due date while I was still working, I really didn't now what I would do if I went into labor but was just hoping it wouldn't happen. My plan was to drive myself home, unless I couldn't drive, b/c I am about 30 to 45 minutes away from home.

As it turned out, I was induced with DD1, my water broke at home with DS at a week overdue (but I had no contractions until they gave me pitocin hours later), and I had a c-section with DD2.

CarrieB. · October 2013

I take the bus to work, so I just plan to ask for a ride to the hospital if I need it. My house is just a couple miles from work and my hospital is like 15 minutes from work, so it's not a big deal. I can also work from home if I want to.

With DD1, I woke up the day after my due date and called in to start maternity leave because I felt awful. My water broke that evening.

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