Hi Ladies!
Just to introduce myself- I am a birthmom to a beautiful little girl. Circumstances were rough and I wanted to give her so much more than I could do alone. I wanted an unmedicated labor for my daughter, but 18 hours after my water broke I was only at 2 cm. We tried walking, squatting, pressure points, nipple stimulation, everything possible at a hospital but my labor kept stalling. I ended up with pitocin and 31 hours in I caved and got an epi. I was so emotionally drained I didn't care what they did to me any more. Our sweet girl was born an hour later after 3 pushes.
I am pregnant again with my amazing husband and due in August, and we are very excited about this baby. I am determined to overcome my terrible previous labor and do this one unmedicated. I'm not sure I'm ready for home birth, but the birth center in my city shut down in November. There is one 1.5 hours away (100 miles) and two 1 hour 50 min away (~120 miles). I want so badly to have an unmedicated birth but also would like to have a birth outside of the hospital setting to set it even farther apart from my last birth.
1. Has anyone had experience traveling this far?
2. Would you recommend it?
Thank you!
Edit: I found another 1 hour 10 min away, or 72 miles.
Re: How far is too far to travel?
B born 7/15/13, C born 3/2/15, #3 on the way May '17
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I saw your 1st delivery was lengthy and general guidance is the 2nd would be half as long. So I'd think an hour would be reasonable if you were clear on signs of labor. At the other side of the spectrum... My family has a history of quick deliveries and so I was very concerned about getting to my m/w in time and she's 30 minutes away. For my 1st pg, active labor was obvious, but for my 2nd I didn't know I was in active labor (contractions were a little uncomfortable and irregular) - thankfully I happened to have my m/w appt and she sent me to the delivery room. Then my water broke and I knew I was in active labor. I delivered 2 hrs later. Similarly my friend didn't recognize she was in active labor for her 2nd either and inadvertently delivered at home - mom and baby were fine.
BTW - I didn't particular like my 1st delivery experience with nurse and last-minute OB; the 2nd was at the same hospital but with a m/w and nurse and it made all the difference!
Wishing you a smoother experience!
Unexplained IF/RPL
TTC#1 2003 BFNs, 2004-2009 5 angels above
2010 IVF-PGS-FET#1, DD b. Aug-2011
TTC#2 2012 BFNs, 2013 FET#2, DS b. Nov-2013
TTC#3 2015 BFNs, FET#3 (my 6th and last angel above)
Journey Complete.
Mom to Benjamin 6/2011 and Lena 5/2013; baby 3 on the way