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Switch OB vs Long Drive for Labor

Sallyjane3113Sallyjane3113 member
in 3rd Trimester
I am pregnant with my first, and I love my OB and the nurses at the birthing center I chose. They know me, my husband, our natural birth plan, and even our daughter's name! My husband got a new job and we will be moving when I am at 35 weeks! We will be just under two hours away from the hospital in this new home.

What would be crazier, switching providers that late in my pregnancy and having to go to a new hospital, or sticking with the provider I trust and being a two hour drive from the hospital? We don't have any family or someone I can stay with near the hospital, but getting a hotel is an option. We are having a lot of trouble deciding! Any mom's advice would be greatly appreciated!
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Re: Switch OB vs Long Drive for Labor

  • missilinimissilini member
    I loved my OB and her office is at least an hour away and sometimes with traffic it could take well over an hour and half to get there. I would say stick with your current provider if you really like her. Most likely you'll be in labor for several hours while you make the drive.
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  • stephaniearthursstephaniearthurs member
    I wouldn't really know what to say, but I would suggest that you have a contingency plan in case of emergency. Make sure that the local hospital takes your insurance (as a Canadian, I'm not sure if this is an issue). Maybe even see if you can go a tour JIC. You hear of people taking hours to deliver, but also, babies who come fast!

    I can understand wanted to stay with a doctor you are comfortable with, but make sure you try and plan for the unknown (which I know can be hard)!
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  • lakesideknitterlakesideknitter member
    Have you talked with your doctor about this? He or she may have some recommendations, knowing your specific case and your area (traffic, etc..).
    Me: 28, DH: 40
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  • lalg28lalg28 member
    My OB office is an hour and a half away. We live rural, so it's either drive to the city or use the local hospital which is terrible. And I love my OB. I say stick with the doctor you love. Just don't wait too awful late to leave and you'll be fine. And definitely pre-register at the hospital or birthing center if needed.
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  • kynbar5kynbar5 member
    I'm an hour from the hospital I will deliver at and haven't ever had a problem (yet lol) making it there in time. If you really like your ob I'd say to stick with them. Also, 1st time labors tend to be long so as @BostonTerrior2008 pointed out I'd try to figure out what you would do if labor wasn't progressed enough for them to keep you. You said a hotel was an option so maybe start looking into which one you would stay at (closest to hospital preferably) if you weren't admitted. Good luck and I hope it all works out for you! :)
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  • tbasinskitbasinski member
    I live 45 miles from my hospital. With traffic it can easily take 2 hrs. Our plan is to leave as soon as I have contractions and if that means sitting in the parking lot for hours, so be it. We live very close to another hospital but I don't want to go there if I don't have to. But as this is my 3rd baby and my labors are fast, that may happen. In the US labor is covered by emergency laws (EMTALA) and the closest hospital HAS to admit you if you are in labor, and your insurance would pay.
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  • cMichelle0423cMichelle0423 member
    The birth center I'll be delivering at is an hour and a half away. I LOVE the center and my midwives so I'm not planning on changing just because they're not 15 min away. Not everyone lives conveniently close to a hospital.
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