STM advice.. traveling distance while in labor

Growingapepper · May 2015

Ok so I really need some help here! I am trying to go with a 100% natural delivery. I really wanted to avoid a hospital delivery with an OB but I decided to tough it out because the closest midwifery birthing center is about 1 hour 45 mins away, or possibly even 2.5 hours depending on traffic. I also wasn't all that comfortable with a home birth since this is my first child and the closest hospital is about 20 minutes from my house.
Well, now I'm starting to freak and stress out about my OB and being in a hospital. I specifically picked a female ob because I am NOT at all comfortable with a male dr. Well she hasn't been there for any of my appointments, I've only seen her for 5 minutes so far. And I just found out at my last appointment that she has a rotating practice with 3 other male doctors. So she probably won't even be the one on call when I go into labor. I refuse to have a male doctor, I just can't do it. But beyond that, it's like she doesn't even care about her patients enough to see them herself. All the reasons I wanted to avoid a hospital birth with an OB are turning out to be true and I feel like it's going to ruin the birthing experience.
So I guess what I'm asking (after all that^^^ lol) is do you think it is possible to drive an hour 45m to 2 and a half hours once labor begins so I can go this birthing center? Or is is that just completely unrealistic and I'd probably pop a baby out in my car? I would drive down as soon as my contractions start, and if I have to stay in a hotel for a night I'm ok with that. I'd even be ok with a false alarm and coming back home. The way I see it, if I can't make it to the birthing center in time, I'd just have to go to the nearest hospital and be in the same situation I'm in now, a stranger delivering my baby.
Also, still considering a home birth. But I'd like to hear if you think the drive is possible or not

BeachBabe22 · May 2015

When I was in labor I didn't care if it was a male or female delivering my baby. The nurses do most of the work and the OB is only in there while you're pushing. I saw a midwife for all of my appointments but she wasn't available when I was in labor and I delivered with an OB I never met before.

If you want a natural birth they recommend that you labor at home as long as possible so I don't see the distance to the midwife center being an issue.

Growingapepper · May 2015

Yeah a lot of people say that they don't really care it's a guy when it comes down to it, but I genuinely mean it when I say I am not ok with a male doctor. ESPECIALLY during the pushing stage.

thinkpink101 · May 2015

I wouldn't want to chance it. Take me for example. I was in labor and had NO idea. I was fully dilated and effaced without a single contraction I could feel. It was pure luck that I was in the Dr office for an appointment...

ForeverEverAfter · May 2015

I think that's doable. My drive to the hospital is at least 45min, closer to an hour. Plus, early labour is pretty tolerable. I plan to labour at home for a while but I wouldn't be worried about going to a birth centre early, it's a low key environment-well suited for labour to progress (unlike hospitals that make people nervous and stall labour).

WDDCH · May 2015

I am all for birth centers and homebirth. But I worry that that drive may be too much when in labor, for me personally, to the birth center. You can't move and it could get really uncomfortable.

I went to a birth center and the drive was around 40 minutes. I was so anxious the whole drive. And not for fear of delivering my fourth baby on the side of the road. It was other drivers being insane and being in a crazy busy highway, etc. This is one reason I had the next at home. What I did at the birth center could have been done at home with the same equipment coming to me rather than me risking the drive.

I think what you need to do for yourself is call a homebirth midwife. Let her talk to you about how she keeps mom and baby safe, what her transfer rate is (mine is like 2% and usually because the mom chooses to go, not because there's a medical reason) and any other concerns you may have.

After you've interviewed her you can feel out where you think you should go.

KH7337 · May 2015

I'm in the same situation as you! I'm traveling for a midwife (2 hour drive) praying that it works out. I had such an amazing experience with her last time that we just can't let her go. If you do end up with having to deliver around a male doctor though you won't even care. Like the other ladies said I know that you have time to think about it now, but once you're in that situation you will just want the baby OUT!!! I hope that you and I make it to our midwives right on time:) I'm planning on bringing some towels and plastic in the car just in case... especially for my tush if my water breaks.

Rachelsbaby · May 2015

At the point of full on labor ur not going to care if it's female or male at that point ur just ready to get the baby out. My first son I never even saw my doctor and I actually had a doctors appointment that day and he never even delivered my baby. But the 20 min drive is totally doable. You could still have birth totally naturally in the hospital but if something goes wrong you're there. Don't have to worry about calling 911 and waiting 10-15 minutes for the ambulance to come on top of the 20 minute ride.

mmd091909 · May 2015

I think that you would probably be okay with it being far BUT I personally wouldn't want to chance it. My contractions went from 15 minutes apart to 2 minutes apart in less than an hour.

I understand you preferring a female doctor. I'm the opposite, I strongly prefer a make. When it was time to push I didn't care it if it was my dog delivering...I just wanted the baby out! Lol

I had a completely unmediated birth both times in a hospital. I did have the IV port (not sure of the technical name) set up in my hand but did not have any fluids. I was free to walk around, shower, bathe- basically do as I pleased.

The comfort of being in the hospital was good for me. I had a prolapsed cord and retained placenta with my first; my second was sent to the nicu for breathing issues. I was thankful to be in a hospital.

Growingapepper · May 2015

Thanks everyone. Everyone's advice is all over the place, so I think it's a risk I'm willing to take. If I can't make it, I'll just have to stop at the nearest hospital on the way. I'm still looking into homebirth but my insurance only covers CNMs, and all the local midwives are CPMs. I don't think I'll be able to find one willing to travel all the way to me. And if I do, I'll still be waiting 2 hours for my midwife to arrive.

WDDCH · May 2015

Sounds like a plan. Hope you love the birth center! I like the previous commenter who said to bring plastic (to sit on in case water breaks) and clean towels to keep baby warm IF baby comes before you get there. Honestly if you leave earlier in labor you should make it. Most FTMs don't have baby in 2-3 hours.

Growingapepper · May 2015

@KH7337 good luck to you too! If you go into labor before me you'll have to let me know how the drive goes. Definitely going to bring some towels and plastic lolol
@WDDCH I plan on getting in the car as soon as I think labor is starting. If it's a false alarm, so be it. Thanks for all the help!

squigles28 · May 2015

I work out of my car and drive a lot for work. I'd like to work up until the end if possible, so a lot of these posts were helpful for me too deciding if that is doable

mmd091909 · May 2015

@kalipepper I suggest puppy training pads. They are pretty big in size and super absorbent. Perfect to put on the seat of the car in case of water breaking! I had a few of those and a pair of yoga pants in a ziploc.

str13 · May 2015

Since you'll have that drive ahead of you, have all your bags and things you want with you ready, either by the door or in the car already (when you start getting closer to your due date!). Before DD1 was born I went ahead and had her seat in the car so I wouldn't have one more thing to do when headed to have baby.
I agree on the pads and towels too!!

blondehairblueeyeditalianbaby · May 2015

I had a very fast labor. It was 4.5 hrs total. I stayed at home for the first 2 because I could not make myself get in the car. The thought of riding to the hospital and having to sit in the car was miserable (I actually jumped out in the driveway once). I live about 3 miles from my hospital. Know how I felt the first time I would say no. I also know most labors do not go like mine. My contractions were 1 min apart after the first 13 min on labor. Good luck in your decision.

Mufflerlove · May 2015

I think time wise you'd be okay but my god I would have been miserable. My contractions started and stayed at 3 mins apart. I cannot imagine being in a car during that.

Boobopgirl · May 2015

It sounds like you have pretty much decided what you're going to do, but I just wanted to mention that if it is feasible, hiring a doula might not be a bad idea if you end up deciding to go with the hospital birth. Someone you are comfortable with and can help you calm your anxieties about having an unfamiliar doctor. I disagree with the previous posters who said you won't care. I definitely have known moms who did care. You MIGHT care, and that could stall your labor and cause unnecessary interventions. I wouldn't chance it if it's something you feel that strongly about.

That said. Are you confident that the person driving will be able to stay calm and collected while you're moaning in the backseat (or front seat or whatever)? I would consider having an additional support person ride along with you, if not for your sake, then for the driver's peace of mind. Another thing to consider is if you have a small car, you may want to leave the child seat in the trunk so you can spread out more on the back seat during the long drive and install it after you get there. I would consider having a homebirth kit in the car just in case baby comes and you need to wait for an ambulance or some such thing. But it's your baby and you have to be comfortable with what's going on, so I say go for it.

cjstats87 · May 2015

My second came pretty fast incomparison to my first...both hospital deliveries, my first was the house (male who had horribly big hands and wasn't very nice) dr checking me until my dr arrived. And with my second it was a partner of my dr that I'd seen before who did the checking until my dr arrived to catch him. I will always feel more comfortable with a woman and I also have an ob who's very laid back and doesn't like to intervene.

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STM advice.. traveling distance while in labor

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