driving yourself while in labor

gmd88 · July 2015

Question for the experienced mamas! I am planning to work up until I have my baby.. So it's very likely I may go into labor at work. My mom has assured me labor typically starts slowly and I will have no problem driving myself home or to the hospital (both 45 min away). As I've shared this lately, people have been acting like I'm insane for having this plan... And it is starting to make me nervous. I work with only men and I don't really feel comfortable with any of them driving me either ..

So to all you STMs (+), any input? Am I crazy or should I expect to be able to drive myself?!

Thanks!!!

Joie80 · July 2015

I imagine that each experience is different. My labor started very slowly with mild regular contractions. I'm sure I could've driven at that point.

Startingagain2015 · July 2015

I wouldn't take the chance you never know how fast or how hard labor will set in. Try to make other arrangements if you can.

bpwife&mama · July 2015

I could have easily driven myself to the hospital with DS. I was having very mild contractions and not in a lot of discomfort. But you never know how it will be. You wouldn't want to drive yourself if contractions were really bad and you had to pull over or got distracted.

atthemoment · July 2015

Following this post! DH works 45 mins away from home and the hospital is 20 mins away from our house (opposite directons) so ive wondered what would happen if i had to drive too!

gotdiesel2007 · July 2015

I drove with #2 and drove my self home after #1 and #2 ( #1 was induced so I drove but no contractions)

squigles28 · July 2015

I drive a lot for work. I am cutting my work radius to 1 hour in any direction at 36 weeks. So I figure I could make it home if needed.
But husband and I also made agreement that he would come get me if needed.

Miz_Liz · July 2015

FTM's typically go into labor at night. In my case, I woke up that day and had enough signs that I knew it was starting so I called my boss and told him I wouldn't be in. That said, I definitely could have driven myself. I was home for a few hours before even heading in to L&D and even then could have driven. I personally wouldn't stress.

Starynightsky24 · July 2015

By the time I knew I was in labor my contractions were already 2 minutes or less apart and I was in terrible Pain. I thought DS would be born in the car.

I will say though... If you think you're that close to delivery I'm not sure you'd care who was driving you. Lol. I would have been thankful for even the most awkward and annoying co worker at that point.

gmd88 · July 2015

Thanks ladies! As far as the coworker driving me it's more that I don't want to make them uncomfortable.... We are a small company and all get along well but they are all your typical "engineer" type if you know what I mean lol

WDDCH · July 2015

This is something you'll have to feel out in the moment. If you feel fine then drive. If at any point you cannot drive/focus then pull over and call an ambulance or someone who is nearby. If you go into labor and feel you cannot drive then call a taxi, ambulance or ask one of those manly engineer types that you work with to drive you. Don't risk it for the sake of not wanting them to feel uncomfortable. If one of them wants to step up then they'll step up on their own.

lvrunningirlie · July 2015

I drove myself to the hospital last time and (assuming I don't go too quickly) will probably drive myself this time. With that being said I only live 10-15 min from the hospital. I would be more leery if the drive was longer than that just because you don't know how your labor will progress. And even being as close as I am, I have a few people on standby to come get me if I can't drive.

ann_jeremiah · July 2015

Joie80 said:
I imagine that each experience is different. My labor started very slowly with mild regular contractions. I'm sure I could've driven at that point.

This!

breezymeema7 · July 2015

I sure as hell couldn't but only because my babies practically fly out of my vagina. Most likely, you'll be fine to drive yourself. I would have a backup plan ready just in case though.

laurena612 · July 2015

My contractions were strong and extremely painful from the get-go. I sure as hell couldn't drive even from the beginning. Everybodies different but I'd have a plan just in case you can't drive.

emmacake08 · July 2015

Personally I would like to labor at home as long as possible so I'm actually going by if I'm lucid and not that distracted by pain to drive, then it isn't time to go. I personally don't want to be stuck in the hospital any longer than I have to be. Also, my husband's and engineer and works on a floor of about 100 and I know there are loads of them that would take a coworker to the hospital. Heck, half of them are fathers themselves. I wouldn't stress about it. These little details sort themselves out in the moment quite easily, quickly.

bhargrave88 · July 2015

I had zero contractions or Braxton hicks, so imagine my suppose when the middle of the night on the eve of my induction date, my water broke, I lost my plug, and contractions followed shortly after at 2.5 minutes apart from there on out. I live 45 mins from the hospital, and thought I was dying the entire ride.
No way I would have wanted to drive myself. I probably could have but I probably would have wrecked too.

If you find yourself in a situation like that; you should have someone else drive because the pain was very distracting!

If your having mild and further apart contractions and feel like you could do it and really want to, go for it.. But I'd personally still have someone else drive me after my experience.. I know every labor is different but I won't take the chance of my child's life because I'm too stubborn to ask for help.

puccagirl77 · July 2015

I was induced with pitocin and I had very mild pain before my water was broken. So much so that I probably wouldn't have realized that I was in labor. I would not have wanted to drive 45 miutes after my water was broken. I would keep a towel in my car and ask someone to drive me. I think most people would welcome an excuse to blow of 90 minutes of work.

cjollyrn · July 2015

Luckily for me, I actually work in the hospital that I'm planning on delivering in. But I would like to go home first anyway. I think if I couldn't drive myself, I would definitely ask a coworker or call a taxicab. I personally wouldn't call an ambulance to take me to the hospital, but I'm stubborn.

cosplaymom · July 2015

I wouldn't risk it! Just saw a story about a lady who drove herself while in labor, ran off the road into a river, had the baby in the car, and got stuck halfway out the door with the umbilical cord still attached to her baby on the car seat.

Maybe some of that was glamorized but it still seems easy to get into an accident in the middle of a contraction.

Perfect Sonnet · July 2015

No way was capable of driving myself last time. I would definitely have someone drive you. Not only for your safety, but others on the road.

gmd88 · July 2015

Ugh I'm just so nervous about it all! I would love for my husband to come get me but it would be extending the time I have to wait as well... I guess I will just have to see how it goes on that date... Nothing else I can really do... There is a hospital very close to my work if worst comes to worst :-??

mjpensyl · July 2015

I'm a FTM so I don't have any personal experience - following this post - but maybe take note of some landmarks and safe spots to leave your car from work to home. Then, if you do drive but it becomes unbearable or unsafe, you can pull over and DH will know where to meet you.

P.S. My DH is an engineer so I know exactly the type you mean when referring to your coworkers.

maddo1214 · July 2015

My partner and I live about 45minutes away from the hospital and he has no Licence so it looks like I will be driving myself. I would call an ambulance but they would take me to a different hospital than what I am registered at and one that I am NOT okay with birthing at (it has an absolutely horrible reputation, everyone fakes their addresses to register with other hospital to avoid it!!). My only other option is to go and stay with my mum in the weeks leading up to the birth as an ambulance would take me from her address and I could have her on call to drive me as well. But that situation isn't particularly ideal either.

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