I have to go back through and read all of these responses, but I just want to say that this has been on my mind a lot! I'm glad you asked the question. I'm 40 minutes from the hospital without traffic, but I work right next door. I'm hoping I deliver during a workday so that I'm already there. DH's work is an hour and 15 minutes from the hospital. I'm already trying to prepare to have someone else drive me, like a neighbor or something. I don't want my family to be waiting there so I don't want them to be the drivers. It's kind of stressing me out.
Me: 29, DH: 31 Married: October 2014 Began TTC: April 2015 BFP #1: 9/18/15. EDD 5/18/16. MC 10/26/15. (9w) BFP #2: 2/27/16. EDD 11/7/16. MC/D&E 4/20/16 (11w) BFP #3: 9/22/16. EDD 5/29/17. DS born 4/24/17 BFP #4: 5/20/18. EDD 1/23/19.
I don't see an OB for my pregnancy. Just my GP at my home clinic. I will not know the doctor at the delivery, but I don't really care. They're there to catch. I do everything else.
B born 7/15/13, C born 3/2/15, #3 on the way May '17
I’m a modern man, a man for the millennium. Digital and smoke free. A diversified multi-cultural, post-modern deconstruction that is anatomically and ecologically incorrect. I’ve been up linked and downloaded, I’ve been inputted and outsourced, I know the upside of downsizing, I know the downside of upgrading. I’m a high-tech low-life. A cutting edge, state-of-the-art bi-coastal multi-tasker and I can give you a gigabyte in a nanosecond! I’m new wave, but I’m old school and my inner child is outward bound. I’m a hot-wired, heat seeking, warm-hearted cool customer, voice activated and bio-degradable. I interface with my database, my database is in cyberspace, so I’m interactive, I’m hyperactive and from time to time I’m radioactive.
There are two hospitals I can deliver at, both about 25 minutes from my house. One is a large trauma center and we would definitely go there if I was high risk or the baby had more needs than regular. The other has a new birth center, and is less crazy, so I'd prefer to deliver there. However, they are about 40-50 minutes from my work, and then another twenty if I stop home to drive with DH. Who knows what will happen.
I have been thinking a lot about this too! With DS we were 8 minutes from the hospital and like @lulubemadness I was worried about knowing when to go in and having enough time but when I did finally go in after my water breaking and having consistent contractions every 2-3 minutes all night long, I was barely at 3 cm. We have since moved and are up in the mountains about 25-30 from the nearest hospital. I am very glad this baby is due in late May because while there shouldn't be much traffic between us and the hospital, it's a 2,000 foot altitude change between us and the hospital and on a snowy day it could be a much longer drive for sure.
We are about 7 miles from the hospital; takes us about 15-20 minutes to get there depending on traffic.
Like some others have said, I'm more concerned with the logistics of finding care for DD1 when I go into labor. That's one of the pros of hiring a doula. I feel more comfortable knowing that I'll at least have SOMEONE there should DH be the only person with DD!
DH: 34/Me: 35 Married: Feb 2008 DD: June 2011 TTC# 2: April 2014 BFP!! 8/29/16 --> EDD: 5/11/17....it's a GIRL!!!
With DS, we were 15 min from our hospital that had s separate mother and baby tower with a NICU. I labored at home for 13 hours and when I arrived was 5.5 cm dilated. Had baby boy 9 hours after arrival.
Depending on where we are are living in May (currently in escrow, just had the home inspection and although it is completely renovated, they apparently cut many corners - our "repair" list is loooooong- so we shall see in 3 days if the deal is still on ) we will be 15 min from a hospital with a special care nursery or 45 min from the hospital I delivered DS at...
But like many others have posted, I think I'm a bit more concerned about who will be with DS or if I'll be delivering by myself if MH is with DS...
@BeachMommy2B I live.in Northern Minnesota. And actually, the closest hospital is only 1.5 hours away but in Canada. We can deliver there, they have no problem with it, but insurance won't cover it. Where I live.you either have a scheduled c-section or induction or, if you are like me and prefer spontaneous labor, you call an ambulance and hope you get there on time.
I don't live in a highly populated community so the whole County only has <50 a year born, and rarely does someone not make it. It happens sometimes, someone just in October didn't make it, but it's still pretty rare considering the circumstances. But, mostly people they schedule inductions.
B born 7/15/13, C born 3/2/15, #3 on the way May '17
I’m a modern man, a man for the millennium. Digital and smoke free. A diversified multi-cultural, post-modern deconstruction that is anatomically and ecologically incorrect. I’ve been up linked and downloaded, I’ve been inputted and outsourced, I know the upside of downsizing, I know the downside of upgrading. I’m a high-tech low-life. A cutting edge, state-of-the-art bi-coastal multi-tasker and I can give you a gigabyte in a nanosecond! I’m new wave, but I’m old school and my inner child is outward bound. I’m a hot-wired, heat seeking, warm-hearted cool customer, voice activated and bio-degradable. I interface with my database, my database is in cyberspace, so I’m interactive, I’m hyperactive and from time to time I’m radioactive.
With DS the hospital was about 10 min away. Even so, I arrived deep into active labor and at 6-7cm dilation, with barely enough time to get one dose of antibiotics for being GBS positive (not enough time for the recommended two doses spaced 4 hrs apart; since then I think they've relaxed the recommendation to just one dose.)
With DD the hospital was 10-15 min away. We knew to go in much earlier (GBS positive again) and had plenty of time, arriving at 3cm dilation. Of course they didn't let us be officially admitted, so after walking the halls for an hour I was already 5cm and delivered again under the 4 hour mark.
With this one, I am 5-10 min away from the birth center. The birth center is across the street from the hospital in case anything goes wrong.
@JCWhitey: okay, not to be morbid, but when you say "in October someone didn't make it," are you referring to not making it to the hospital in time to deliver there, or... the other? (please clarify!)
I"m about 20-30 minutes, there is a hospital closer to my house. I choose to stay at my current doctors instead of switching for a few reasons... #1 My husband is a FF/Paramedic and he could technically deliver my baby haha #2 I've been through a lot with my current practice/ hospital and didn't want to switch. #3 Worst case scenario something goes wrong and my baby needs the NICU or a specialist, my hospital is partnered to Children's in the city where I have 2 cousin doctors there and 1 cousin that is a NICU nurse so I feel so much better having them.
As of now I am delivering at a hospital that is good 45 minutes drive from my house without traffic. This is my second kid and with DD I had to be induced due to pre-e so I have no idea about "fast or slow labor" times to compare.
How far are you away from your hospital? I remember talking about this about my last BMB and some people were about a hour from their preferred hospital. Are you concerned you won't make it to the hospital in time?
I totally have a soapbox about this topic, since common TV portrayals (and the news stories that get blown out of proportion) greatly exaggerate how quickly babies come. Active labor averages 8 hours... Sooooo... You're probably pretty likely not to have the baby in the car. Of all the things to be worried about, honestly, this should be small. I totally get that it's faster with each birth, and I'm not trying to minimize the risk, but it's fairly unlikely.
My biggest worry is that I work downtown. If I go into labor, I either have to take an hour train back to my suburb or... what? Actually, I need to ask my midwife about that. Active labor on a busy train, NO THANK YOU.
Me: 35 | DH: 46 MMC: 09/13 (9 weeks) DD: Born 8/22/14 Babies #2 & 3: Due dates 6/9/17 And my other love: writing
As of now I am delivering at a hospital that is good 45 minutes drive from my house without traffic. This is my second kid and with DD I had to be induced due to pre-e so I have no idea about "fast or slow labor" times to compare.
How far are you away from your hospital? I remember talking about this about my last BMB and some people were about a hour from their preferred hospital. Are you concerned you won't make it to the hospital in time?
I totally have a soapbox about this topic, since common TV portrayals (and the news stories that get blown out of proportion) greatly exaggerate how quickly babies come. Active labor averages 8 hours... Sooooo... You're probably pretty likely not to have the baby in the car. Of all the things to be worried about, honestly, this should be small. I totally get that it's faster with each birth, and I'm not trying to minimize the risk, but it's fairly unlikely.
My biggest worry is that I work downtown. If I go into labor, I either have to take an hour train back to my suburb or... what? Actually, I need to ask my midwife about that. Active labor on a busy train, NO THANK YOU.
Well, my first labor was about 5 hrs, my second less than two. Like, I woke up at 330 having to pee and having very slight normal pregnancy back pain, and younger daughter was born at 510. So, while it might not be likely for most people (especially first time moms!), and it was nothing like TV labor, the thought of an accidental home birth or side of the road birth does kind of scare me! Younger daughter was born less than half an hour after we got to the hospital, and we live 15 minutes away.
As of now I am delivering at a hospital that is good 45 minutes drive from my house without traffic. This is my second kid and with DD I had to be induced due to pre-e so I have no idea about "fast or slow labor" times to compare.
How far are you away from your hospital? I remember talking about this about my last BMB and some people were about a hour from their preferred hospital. Are you concerned you won't make it to the hospital in time?
I totally have a soapbox about this topic, since common TV portrayals (and the news stories that get blown out of proportion) greatly exaggerate how quickly babies come. Active labor averages 8 hours... Sooooo... You're probably pretty likely not to have the baby in the car. Of all the things to be worried about, honestly, this should be small. I totally get that it's faster with each birth, and I'm not trying to minimize the risk, but it's fairly unlikely.
My biggest worry is that I work downtown. If I go into labor, I either have to take an hour train back to my suburb or... what? Actually, I need to ask my midwife about that. Active labor on a busy train, NO THANK YOU.
Well, my first labor was about 5 hrs, my second less than two. Like, I woke up at 330 having to pee and having very slight normal pregnancy back pain, and younger daughter was born at 510. So, while it might not be likely for most people (especially first time moms!), and it was nothing like TV labor, the thought of an accidental home birth or side of the road birth does kind of scare me! Younger daughter was born less than half an hour after we got to the hospital, and we live 15 minutes away.
My labors are also very quick. I walk around at 2cm dilated for 3-4 weeks with absolutelty no contractions. The baby sits so high up and my cervix is so posterior that my doctor can't even do a membrane sweep. And then bam, my water breaks and I go from a 2-8cm almost instantly with constant contractions. So a quick labor is definitely a worry for me and I don't think it should be completely ruled out for everyone when making labor plans!
Married 03.09.09 Sweet Baby H 12.21.11 Sassy Baby P 03.26.14 Little Brother Due 05.22.17
I'm only 20 minutes away. My first pregnancy, I was induced a week after my due date. I was never really worried about hospital distance since it wasn't too far away and just made sure I knew where to park and enter once I arrived at the hospital. Wouldn't being in labor and wandering around trying to figure out where to park or where to go be the worst? lol.
@SKZW. Sorry! Didn't make it to the hospital and the baby was born in the back seat of their car in the parking lot of the clinic. Baby and mom are fine!
B born 7/15/13, C born 3/2/15, #3 on the way May '17
I’m a modern man, a man for the millennium. Digital and smoke free. A diversified multi-cultural, post-modern deconstruction that is anatomically and ecologically incorrect. I’ve been up linked and downloaded, I’ve been inputted and outsourced, I know the upside of downsizing, I know the downside of upgrading. I’m a high-tech low-life. A cutting edge, state-of-the-art bi-coastal multi-tasker and I can give you a gigabyte in a nanosecond! I’m new wave, but I’m old school and my inner child is outward bound. I’m a hot-wired, heat seeking, warm-hearted cool customer, voice activated and bio-degradable. I interface with my database, my database is in cyberspace, so I’m interactive, I’m hyperactive and from time to time I’m radioactive.
@sls oh yeah I totally get that. I know that I should get to the hospital in no time, but because I had to be induced early with DD due to pre-e, I have nothing to compare/go off of like @h&pmomma or @Squirtgun
I have a small pool of personal STM friends to base my fears on. All had very quick 2nd labors. One friend woke up and thought "I think I'm in labor" and had the kid in under an hour. Thankfully she made it to the hospital. She didn't get the epidural and things were hectic, but both mom and baby were fine.
To be honest I'm not really worried either. I think that because like I mentioned before I was in labor for almost 36 hours with my first. Can imagine my 2nd being a huge difference. While yes there are women that have fast labors, the majority of women do not, especially FTM. Sometimes its genetic as well. I mean my mom went in for an induction for my sister on sun and she wasn't born til thur morning, by CS!!!! When ever I read a story about a women giving birth in the car, side of the rd, parking lot, etc, I always read further to see how many other kids she has. It almost always says there's like 2-3 other kids at home. Also, I remember learning in my last birthing class that only like 10% of women have their water break on its own. Mine had to be broken which is so common.
Re: Short labor times I don't mean to come off as dismissive to people who have good reason to think labor will be short (or don't know). My comment is more because as a FTM, I was a super Nervous Nelly about everythiiiiiing. So if you're a FTM and your own mother regales you with tales of her 18 hour labor for your ungrateful ass every Thanksgiving, I'd be more worried about planning for enduring that than running red lights to the hospital.
Speaking of, my hospital has this crazy jacuzzi tub I wanted to sit in for my entire labor, but I couldn't because I was being induced. I hope to enjoy that this time, booyah.
Me: 35 | DH: 46 MMC: 09/13 (9 weeks) DD: Born 8/22/14 Babies #2 & 3: Due dates 6/9/17 And my other love: writing
So, my first was 5 hours from water breaking to birth or 4 hours from first contraction to birth. So, short for a first labor. So everyone, doctors, nurses, etc. warned me that labor #2 would likely be much faster so to not mess around when labor started. Due to PTL I was 5.5 cm from 35 weeks on. At 37 weeks my water broke and I thought for sure I'd have the baby in under an hour!
Nope. 14 hours later she was born. Everyone who insists second labors are shorter can suck it! (I'm joking!) But even my doctor apologized for it and said she couldn't believe how long it took. I literally chilled at 5.5 cm for 12 hours more after my water broke. 2 freakin' weeks of that BS! I'm banking on this labor being 20+ hours. But still plan to haul my butt to the clinic to catch my ambulance as soon as labor starts, just in case!
B born 7/15/13, C born 3/2/15, #3 on the way May '17
I’m a modern man, a man for the millennium. Digital and smoke free. A diversified multi-cultural, post-modern deconstruction that is anatomically and ecologically incorrect. I’ve been up linked and downloaded, I’ve been inputted and outsourced, I know the upside of downsizing, I know the downside of upgrading. I’m a high-tech low-life. A cutting edge, state-of-the-art bi-coastal multi-tasker and I can give you a gigabyte in a nanosecond! I’m new wave, but I’m old school and my inner child is outward bound. I’m a hot-wired, heat seeking, warm-hearted cool customer, voice activated and bio-degradable. I interface with my database, my database is in cyberspace, so I’m interactive, I’m hyperactive and from time to time I’m radioactive.
Chiming in on the fast vs. slow laboring issue -- I think what you need to do is know that there is SUBSTANTIAL variability and if you're a FTM or someone who was previously induced or had a CS or whatever prior to labor, then you don't know what your body "usually" does (also every labor is different even within the same mom, but there is much more consistency within-moms and across-moms).
So if you're a FTM, be ready for a 3 day labor, because it might happen and that will suck. Also, be ready for a 2 hour labor, because that might happen and could suck for other reasons (like if you don't get to the hospital.) Just be actually ready in terms of planning (more needed for fast labor) and mentally (more needed for slow laboring.) And never be too wedded to your birth plan.
Though it didn't end up being a problem, my mistake was putting too much stock into the "FTMs labor a long time and have their babies after their due date." Sure, within-mom variability usually works in this direction. But you could still be a fast laborer and not know it. I was pretty fast and ended up getting to the hospital later than intended (that was also an error in interpreting contraction timing, as I was having frequent contractions but they were never regular, so we stayed home.) And I was so convinced I'd still be pregnant on my due date as a FTM that we were not done getting ready for the baby and didn't have our hospital bag packed, even though DS was only 4 days early. Don't be stupid like us! Then I was not mentally prepared as a STM to be overdue, because I thought she'd come at the same time as her brother if not earlier, and she was more than a week later than he had been. So my advice is be prepared for anything and zen about everything. Lord knows I need to tell myself that this time, because after two very similar L&Ds, this third one could be totally different.
Going off of what @kat81 said, all of those contraction rules should not be used as your only means of deciding when to go to the hospital. I keep hearing the 5-1-1 or 4-1-1 rules. For some women those are BS! I never had 5-1-1 or 4-1-1 or even 3-1-1 with my son. I went from no contractions to 1 minute long and 1 minute and 30 second apart and they stayed there. If I'd decided to wait an hour I would've made it to the hospital but I would have been really miserable the whole drive there.
Basically, when you feel like you need to go then GO! Trust your instincts. The worst that will happen is they'll tell you it's too soon and you either go home or go for a walk or get food somewhere. Not the end of the world.
B born 7/15/13, C born 3/2/15, #3 on the way May '17
I’m a modern man, a man for the millennium. Digital and smoke free. A diversified multi-cultural, post-modern deconstruction that is anatomically and ecologically incorrect. I’ve been up linked and downloaded, I’ve been inputted and outsourced, I know the upside of downsizing, I know the downside of upgrading. I’m a high-tech low-life. A cutting edge, state-of-the-art bi-coastal multi-tasker and I can give you a gigabyte in a nanosecond! I’m new wave, but I’m old school and my inner child is outward bound. I’m a hot-wired, heat seeking, warm-hearted cool customer, voice activated and bio-degradable. I interface with my database, my database is in cyberspace, so I’m interactive, I’m hyperactive and from time to time I’m radioactive.
I totally almost delivered DD (my first, full term on her due date) on my dining room floor. I went from irregular BH-like cramping to transition while sitting on the toilet waiting for my sister to pull the car out because the cramping was making me tinkle. She ended up calling for an ambulance because these real contractions were on top of each other and I couldn't physically move during one (they were head to toe, body frozen), and there was barely enough time to catch my breath between them, so walking outside to the car was a no-go. While waiting for the bus, my sac bulged out of my cervix fully intact and not ruptured, I could feel it sitting against my thigh.
From first BH-like cramp to delivery, it was about 4 hours. From first real contraction to delivery, maybe 90 minutes? And that's only because I crossed my legs, grabbed my crotch with one hand, and refused to let go or push until I got to L&D, where it was delivery first and take names after.
It’s not that I don’t like you, it’s that I don’t know you. Stranger Danger.
Currently we are 20-30 mins from the hospital, but like a pp we are in escrow and waiting to hear if they'll do repairs from inspection. If all goes well we will then be about an hour, give or take with traffic/time of day, from the hospital...a whole different county lol but I really like my OB and can't imagine changing in March when we would be moving! Obviously if it's an emergency situation and can't make it to her, wherever they take me will work!
Scares me a little bit to be that distance away but I'm sure all will be ok. My parents should be living closer to the hospital that I'm sure I could go there to wait if needed. Mom had an emergency CS with me and high BP (only in labor) with me and my sister. Had a CS with her as well. Told the dr all of this and she didn't seem concerned. So I guess that's a good thing!
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
I was induced with my first due to GD. I had to be there at 5:30 in the morning so it took us like 15 minutes to get there that early in the morning with no traffic. With traffic, it can take a good 30 minutes. Plus I work an hour away so if I go into labor at work, it could potentially be an hour and a half before I can get to the hospital!
Oh man! I completely forgot how I work an hour from the hospital too! Ugh and my DH works like 45 min give it take from the hospital in the opposite direction of me! This will be interesting!
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
Oh man! I completely forgot how I work an hour from the hospital too! Ugh and my DH works like 45 min give it take from the hospital in the opposite direction of me! This will be interesting!
Oh yeah this will be different for me this time. Last two times, work, home, and hospital were all near each other. (Well, my work...DH's work was kind of far last time.) This time, work is ~30 minutes from the birth center. I don't really know my plan if I go into labor at work, like during one of my final exams. I guess I quickly find a proctor and then see if someone else is available to give me a ride, leaving my car at work? I'm not sure if I trust myself to drive 30 min on the highway during labor, even early labor. Waiting for my husband to fetch me would take an additional 30 minutes if he's coming from our house (he sometimes teleworks) or hour if he's coming from actual work.
The other problem with the leave-the-car-at-work plan is that the birth center requires that you show up with a car in case you need to get transferred to the hospital during labor. I think it's also required for discharging (so it needs the carseat). We only own one car....
@kat81 Sounds like it will be fun planning for both of us! My boss has said she would drive me if I went into labor while at work, so that was nice. However, the car seat will probably be in my car since H has a 2 door truck. Maybe she'll be okay driving my car and a family member can give her a ride back to her's? Luckily she does know my mom so it wouldn't be too weird to ask! Then it would just be getting H's truck home, but again family should be able to help with that. Ugh just one more thing to figure out, right?!
It has been helpful talking it out though with you and everyone else it at least gets me thinking and hopefully we will come up with something by then!
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
With the recent discovery of twins we have switched providers and hospitals. I was seeing a midwife, who I loved, who was a part of an office with 4 other midwives and one OB/GYN. I met with that OB after our ultrasound ad not only very much disliked her but she only delivers at a hospital 55 minutes away through an area known for heavy traffic issues. That's something I can't risk. I have speedy labors (less tghan 5 hours from contarction 1 or water breaking) and twins very much change that whole game as well. I have an appointment in 2 weeks with a new OB who has been highly recommended by 2 fellow mama friends, one of whom has twins!
@WxM941: It stinks to have to switch providers, but it's so important to find a good match & to make that connection with someone you can trust. Good for you for advocating for yourself & taking the time to search out someone new!
@WxM941: It stinks to have to switch providers, but it's so important to find a good match & to make that connection with someone you can trust. Good for you for advocating for yourself & taking the time to search out someone new!
Thank you! I had a very bad experience with my first and I refuse to go
through it again. I'm a firm believer that it's never to late to switch.
Your birth experience and comfort is something to be seriously
considered.
Re: GTKY Distance from Hospital
Married: October 2014
Began TTC: April 2015
BFP #1: 9/18/15. EDD 5/18/16. MC 10/26/15. (9w)
BFP #2: 2/27/16. EDD 11/7/16. MC/D&E 4/20/16 (11w)
BFP #3: 9/22/16. EDD 5/29/17. DS born 4/24/17
BFP #4: 5/20/18. EDD 1/23/19.
I don't see an OB for my pregnancy. Just my GP at my home clinic. I will not know the doctor at the delivery, but I don't really care. They're there to catch. I do everything else.
B born 7/15/13, C born 3/2/15, #3 on the way May '17
I’m a modern man, a man for the millennium. Digital and smoke free. A diversified multi-cultural, post-modern deconstruction that is anatomically and ecologically incorrect. I’ve been up linked and downloaded, I’ve been inputted and outsourced, I know the upside of downsizing, I know the downside of upgrading. I’m a high-tech low-life. A cutting edge, state-of-the-art bi-coastal multi-tasker and I can give you a gigabyte in a nanosecond! I’m new wave, but I’m old school and my inner child is outward bound. I’m a hot-wired, heat seeking, warm-hearted cool customer, voice activated and bio-degradable. I interface with my database, my database is in cyberspace, so I’m interactive, I’m hyperactive and from time to time I’m radioactive.
However, they are about 40-50 minutes from my work, and then another twenty if I stop home to drive with DH. Who knows what will happen.
Like some others have said, I'm more concerned with the logistics of finding care for DD1 when I go into labor. That's one of the pros of hiring a doula. I feel more comfortable knowing that I'll at least have SOMEONE there should DH be the only person with DD!
DH: 34/Me: 35
Married: Feb 2008
DD: June 2011
TTC# 2: April 2014
BFP!! 8/29/16 --> EDD: 5/11/17....it's a GIRL!!!
Depending on where we are are living in May (currently in escrow, just had the home inspection and although it is completely renovated, they apparently cut many corners - our "repair" list is loooooong- so we shall see in 3 days if the deal is still on
But like many others have posted, I think I'm a bit more concerned about who will be with DS or if I'll be delivering by myself if MH is with DS...
DS1 7/24/15
DS2 5/7/17
I don't live in a highly populated community so the whole County only has <50 a year born, and rarely does someone not make it. It happens sometimes, someone just in October didn't make it, but it's still pretty rare considering the circumstances. But, mostly people they schedule inductions.
B born 7/15/13, C born 3/2/15, #3 on the way May '17
I’m a modern man, a man for the millennium. Digital and smoke free. A diversified multi-cultural, post-modern deconstruction that is anatomically and ecologically incorrect. I’ve been up linked and downloaded, I’ve been inputted and outsourced, I know the upside of downsizing, I know the downside of upgrading. I’m a high-tech low-life. A cutting edge, state-of-the-art bi-coastal multi-tasker and I can give you a gigabyte in a nanosecond! I’m new wave, but I’m old school and my inner child is outward bound. I’m a hot-wired, heat seeking, warm-hearted cool customer, voice activated and bio-degradable. I interface with my database, my database is in cyberspace, so I’m interactive, I’m hyperactive and from time to time I’m radioactive.
With DD the hospital was 10-15 min away. We knew to go in much earlier (GBS positive again) and had plenty of time, arriving at 3cm dilation. Of course they didn't let us be officially admitted, so after walking the halls for an hour I was already 5cm and delivered again under the 4 hour mark.
With this one, I am 5-10 min away from the birth center. The birth center is across the street from the hospital in case anything goes wrong.
I totally have a soapbox about this topic, since common TV portrayals (and the news stories that get blown out of proportion) greatly exaggerate how quickly babies come. Active labor averages 8 hours... Sooooo... You're probably pretty likely not to have the baby in the car. Of all the things to be worried about, honestly, this should be small. I totally get that it's faster with each birth, and I'm not trying to minimize the risk, but it's fairly unlikely.
My biggest worry is that I work downtown. If I go into labor, I either have to take an hour train back to my suburb or... what? Actually, I need to ask my midwife about that. Active labor on a busy train, NO THANK YOU.
MMC: 09/13 (9 weeks)
DD: Born 8/22/14
Babies #2 & 3: Due dates 6/9/17
And my other love: writing
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17
B born 7/15/13, C born 3/2/15, #3 on the way May '17
I’m a modern man, a man for the millennium. Digital and smoke free. A diversified multi-cultural, post-modern deconstruction that is anatomically and ecologically incorrect. I’ve been up linked and downloaded, I’ve been inputted and outsourced, I know the upside of downsizing, I know the downside of upgrading. I’m a high-tech low-life. A cutting edge, state-of-the-art bi-coastal multi-tasker and I can give you a gigabyte in a nanosecond! I’m new wave, but I’m old school and my inner child is outward bound. I’m a hot-wired, heat seeking, warm-hearted cool customer, voice activated and bio-degradable. I interface with my database, my database is in cyberspace, so I’m interactive, I’m hyperactive and from time to time I’m radioactive.
or @Squirtgun
May17 Siggy Challenge
Labor
To be honest I'm not really worried either. I think that because like I mentioned before I was in labor for almost 36 hours with my first. Can imagine my 2nd being a huge difference. While yes there are women that have fast labors, the majority of women do not, especially FTM. Sometimes its genetic as well. I mean my mom went in for an induction for my sister on sun and she wasn't born til thur morning, by CS!!!! When ever I read a story about a women giving birth in the car, side of the rd, parking lot, etc, I always read further to see how many other kids she has. It almost always says there's like 2-3 other kids at home. Also, I remember learning in my last birthing class that only like 10% of women have their water break on its own. Mine had to be broken which is so common.
I don't mean to come off as dismissive to people who have good reason to think labor will be short (or don't know). My comment is more because as a FTM, I was a super Nervous Nelly about everythiiiiiing. So if you're a FTM and your own mother regales you with tales of her 18 hour labor for your ungrateful ass every Thanksgiving, I'd be more worried about planning for enduring that than running red lights to the hospital.
Speaking of, my hospital has this crazy jacuzzi tub I wanted to sit in for my entire labor, but I couldn't because I was being induced. I hope to enjoy that this time, booyah.
MMC: 09/13 (9 weeks)
DD: Born 8/22/14
Babies #2 & 3: Due dates 6/9/17
And my other love: writing
Nope. 14 hours later she was born. Everyone who insists second labors are shorter can suck it! (I'm joking!) But even my doctor apologized for it and said she couldn't believe how long it took. I literally chilled at 5.5 cm for 12 hours more after my water broke. 2 freakin' weeks of that BS! I'm banking on this labor being 20+ hours. But still plan to haul my butt to the clinic to catch my ambulance as soon as labor starts, just in case!
B born 7/15/13, C born 3/2/15, #3 on the way May '17
I’m a modern man, a man for the millennium. Digital and smoke free. A diversified multi-cultural, post-modern deconstruction that is anatomically and ecologically incorrect. I’ve been up linked and downloaded, I’ve been inputted and outsourced, I know the upside of downsizing, I know the downside of upgrading. I’m a high-tech low-life. A cutting edge, state-of-the-art bi-coastal multi-tasker and I can give you a gigabyte in a nanosecond! I’m new wave, but I’m old school and my inner child is outward bound. I’m a hot-wired, heat seeking, warm-hearted cool customer, voice activated and bio-degradable. I interface with my database, my database is in cyberspace, so I’m interactive, I’m hyperactive and from time to time I’m radioactive.
So if you're a FTM, be ready for a 3 day labor, because it might happen and that will suck. Also, be ready for a 2 hour labor, because that might happen and could suck for other reasons (like if you don't get to the hospital.) Just be actually ready in terms of planning (more needed for fast labor) and mentally (more needed for slow laboring.) And never be too wedded to your birth plan.
Though it didn't end up being a problem, my mistake was putting too much stock into the "FTMs labor a long time and have their babies after their due date." Sure, within-mom variability usually works in this direction. But you could still be a fast laborer and not know it. I was pretty fast and ended up getting to the hospital later than intended (that was also an error in interpreting contraction timing, as I was having frequent contractions but they were never regular, so we stayed home.) And I was so convinced I'd still be pregnant on my due date as a FTM that we were not done getting ready for the baby and didn't have our hospital bag packed, even though DS was only 4 days early. Don't be stupid like us! Then I was not mentally prepared as a STM to be overdue, because I thought she'd come at the same time as her brother if not earlier, and she was more than a week later than he had been. So my advice is be prepared for anything and zen about everything. Lord knows I need to tell myself that this time, because after two very similar L&Ds, this third one could be totally different.
Basically, when you feel like you need to go then GO! Trust your instincts. The worst that will happen is they'll tell you it's too soon and you either go home or go for a walk or get food somewhere. Not the end of the world.
B born 7/15/13, C born 3/2/15, #3 on the way May '17
I’m a modern man, a man for the millennium. Digital and smoke free. A diversified multi-cultural, post-modern deconstruction that is anatomically and ecologically incorrect. I’ve been up linked and downloaded, I’ve been inputted and outsourced, I know the upside of downsizing, I know the downside of upgrading. I’m a high-tech low-life. A cutting edge, state-of-the-art bi-coastal multi-tasker and I can give you a gigabyte in a nanosecond! I’m new wave, but I’m old school and my inner child is outward bound. I’m a hot-wired, heat seeking, warm-hearted cool customer, voice activated and bio-degradable. I interface with my database, my database is in cyberspace, so I’m interactive, I’m hyperactive and from time to time I’m radioactive.
From first BH-like cramp to delivery, it was about 4 hours. From first real contraction to delivery, maybe 90 minutes? And that's only because I crossed my legs, grabbed my crotch with one hand, and refused to let go or push until I got to L&D, where it was delivery first and take names after.
It’s not that I don’t like you, it’s that I don’t know you. Stranger Danger.
Scares me a little bit to be that distance away but I'm sure all will be ok. My parents should be living closer to the hospital that I'm sure I could go there to wait if needed. Mom had an emergency CS with me and high BP (only in labor) with me and my sister. Had a CS with her as well. Told the dr all of this and she didn't seem concerned. So I guess that's a good thing!
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
The other problem with the leave-the-car-at-work plan is that the birth center requires that you show up with a car in case you need to get transferred to the hospital during labor. I think it's also required for discharging (so it needs the carseat). We only own one car....
It has been helpful talking it out though with you and everyone else
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin