Driving yourself when having contractions?

psherman42wwsa · August 2015

Hi Everyone!

Long time lurker here, first time poster lol. I am currently 40 weeks +1 day and I am still working full time. I am in nursing management and I mainly sit at my desk for most of the day recently. Anyway, people at work are starting to drive me CRAZY about "whens your last day" and "what are you going to do if you go into labor at work". My plan has always been to leave work if I have any contractions and drive myself home (30 minute drive) where my husband will meet me and stay until I'm ready to go to the hospital( I live 2 miles from the hospital). Do you all think my plan is unrealistic? This is my first child and from what I hear, this is going to be a longggg process and I figured I would have enough time but now all these comments have me second guessing my decision. Any thoughts?

Also, If I hear "WOW your still here!", "whens your due date?" ," you look like your about to pop!" one more time.... I think I really will burst. Whos with me! ? lol

Kwest1007 · August 2015

My guess would be it's different for everyone. I'd say see how u feel in the moment. If too painful to drive but not emergency, have ur husband come get u. If u feel u can drive, you can always attempt it. If worse came to worse, you could always pull over and call an ambulance if it became an emergency. Or anyone from your work or in that area,!that could u drive you if needed?

jessandandy09 · August 2015

I have driven home having contractions, but only at the beginning when they are smaller. Labor can start differently for everyone and progress differently for everyone. IF you start by your water breaking or with intense contractions, then you should call your husband to come get you and not attempt to drive. If you are having mild contractions (period like) then you should be fine to drive home.

kelseyrayay · August 2015

I couldn't even make it down the road if I tried. I guess it depends on the person and how bad the contractions are for them.

toccoaparker · August 2015

My contractions are 3-4 minutes apart right now, dilated to 3; hurts like hell but dr won't keep me until my cervix does something so I am driving around running errands. It isn't the most pleasant or comfortable but it is possible:) good luck!

ann_jeremiah · August 2015

I really think you'd be ok to drive... Especially in tbe early stages of labor and contractions.

deviduke412 · August 2015

I know there was a post about this a little while back. Try the search function to find it and see if there's any good info for you there.

holli0801 · August 2015

I would just say, be flexible with your plan. It may be just fine, it may hurt like hell from the get-go. I only live 10 mins from work and would plan on driving home so I could change and get my stuff. But, I work at the hospital. So worse comes to worse, I'll waddle my way to L&D and have SO meet me :-)

cosplaymom · August 2015

I absolutely would NOT have been able to drive to the hospital. I could hardly walk! You don't know how bad or how easy it will be until you're in labor. Have a back-up plan.

Perfect Sonnet · August 2015

I would say it depends. I think you may be able to drive home with mild contractions, but if they're bad definitely have your husband or a co-worker take you directly to the hospital. Or if you're all up all night with contractions, just don't go to work the next day and have your husband stay home to take you to the hospital if need be.

The not being able to predict, control, or plan for this whole situation is the worst part for me.

CaliforniaDream87 · August 2015

Totally depends. My contractions didn't start out at a 10 right away with my last pregnancy.I would've definitely been able to drive home. This is something that you will have to experience before really answering.

breezymeema7 · August 2015

Most likely, it will be just fine. Have a backup plan ready though.

SashaDenn25 · August 2015

Im winging it. Im working up until I have her as well unless I dont go by next week and have to be induced. My plan has been the same as yours. Ill drive home to meet my husband and we will leave together. However, I have plans B and C ready to go to. If I feel I wont be able to make it home through pain I will go straight to the hospital from work as it is 15 mins away and my husband will meet me there. Finally, if im like F this who the heck can drive with this going on then someone from work will be driving me to the hospital from here to meet my husband.

athanaid · August 2015

I was planning on working until I went into labor. I'm due next Tuesday. Sunday night I went into work and half way through I started having back pain. Loads of pelvic pressure and long lasting tightening. I left work thinking it was time. On the drive home I had two good unmistakable contraction. I had to scream out. Got home and long story short it, it slowly went away.I dicided after that I was done. Got doctor to write me off the rest of the week and start my leave. Every one is different but to me there was no way I was going to go through that again.

desertmama2 · August 2015

I'll second all the "your plan will probably work but don't be afraid to be flexible." With my first I definitely could have driven the first few hours.

Turns out, that quote is good advice for your birth plan too.

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