- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
March 2017 Moms
Cbeanz
member
Getting to the Hospital
Cbeanz
member
For all you non-home-birth moms:
After hearing @DrillSergeantCat 's amazing birth story, I started re-thinking how I am getting myself to the hospital!
How are you all planning on getting there?
How far away is it?
When will you decide it's time to go?
What are your plans for your older kids?
Any other special plans you are making?
After hearing @DrillSergeantCat 's amazing birth story, I started re-thinking how I am getting myself to the hospital!
How are you all planning on getting there?
How far away is it?
When will you decide it's time to go?
What are your plans for your older kids?
Any other special plans you are making?
Re: Getting to the Hospital
DH: 37
DD: 03/17/17
DS: 12/06/19
How far away is it? The hospital itself is only about a mile away - super convenient! If only we had a sitter on call who lived closer!
When will you decide it's time to go? My second labor was 3 hours long. I'm not wasting any time! As soon as I have a couple of contractions in a row I'm headed to the hospital! And I will call and tell them to start running the water in the tub because I have my mind set on a water labor this time!
What are your plans for your older kids? In laws live in town, so we are calling them. I plan to ask them to pack a bag ahead of time and be ready at a moment's notice starting around Valentine's Day. (Due date 3/3)
Any other special plans you are making? Playing musical car seats this weekend to figure out the best configuration now that we'll have 3. Big sister can buckle herself in now! So she'll be moving to the third row. We'll probably pack our bag this weekend too, just in case.
How Far - 25min
When to go: my (and all of yours!!) provider has a number to call at all hours to talk with the oncall midwife and talk through contraction timing/intensity/how far away you live--to get advice on when to come in. So I will definitely be utilizing them. A normal rule of thumb is around 4-1-1 : contractions every 4min, lasting 1min, that have done so for 1hour.
no offense to DrillSergantCat-but it sounds like she chose not to go in as soon as would normally be recommended - since she said her contractions were close to 2min apart. She also specifically said she was waiting till her water broke, which again isn't something you're told to wait for. Not all water will break early on in labor. Lots won't break till right before pushing or There are even very rare cases where baby is born with water bag still intact! ((Again-drillsergeant-your a trooper!) but I don't think any of you need to be too worried about mimicking this exact situation!
As a STM, personally I'm going to try and track and time things like I mentioned, call if unsure. But im also planning on going with my gut - I remember what it felt like when things got more intense. But I'm thinking I'd rather leave sooner than later. I'd prefer to walk the halls of the hospital if they want to admit me for an hour-than to sit and wait at home and stall labor because I'm so anxious about getting there. ((Labor was 5hrs with my first-so I'm also more worried about getting there as opposed to laboring at home for long))
Older Kids--calling my mom who's 40min away to watch 18mo old DD. If for whatever reason things are progressing super fast and I feel uncomfortable waiting that long to leave we will bring DD with us and she can hang out with DH in the waiting room for half an hour or so till my mom arrives. ((OR if it's the middle of the night we will see if anyone close by can come sit at our house till my mom arrives))
Not a rule in place to keep those of us who know we are in labor and progressing from going in. I'm sure since things went fast last time for you too, heading in as soon as you know it's labor and not BH is a good call!
EP: 2.17.2016
DS: 3.4.2017
How far: Door to door about a half hour
Time to go: I'm a FTM and I don't want to go too early, I'd like to labor a bit at home, but I'm also super anxious so I honestly think I'll have trouble figuring it out and likely go too early. I did download that "full term" app that some recommended to time contractions.
Plans: Once we are admitted, I (or DH) plan to call my mom so she can start making her way. She is about 2.5 hours away. We will also notify my sister, 1 hour away. My in laws and sister/brother in law live in town, so someone will be on call to feed/walk our dog while we are in the hospital, and my mom will be making sure the house is clean for our homecoming (I get crazy about dog hair)!
I'm 3/28 but I already have my hospital bag packed. Yet we still have the carseats to install....
How far away is it? If I'm at my city office, its only .6 miles away. If I'm at a regional office, a little under an hour. If I'm at home, the drive can vary from 30 minutes (if during non-rush hours) to 1.5 hours easily (if during rush hours).
When will you decide it's time to go? With my first baby, I was in labor FOREVER, so I keep saying I'm going to hold out at home for a while this time. That being said, I was also delivering 15 minutes from home. This time I'm delivering in the city and traffic can be so unknown so I should probably not wait as long as I'd really like to.
What are your plans for your older kids? My mom (who lives less than 2 miles away) will watch DD while we're at the hospital. She has also offered to keep her for a few days after we return home so I can start to trudge my way through the sleepless fog with just the infant, rather than the infant and my 3 year old. I'm tbd on that though.
Any other special plans you are making? Nada. Just hoping for a healthy delivery.
We live about 10 minutes away from the hospital (small city, mild traffic)
-When will you decide it's time to go?
This I will play by ear as things can progress quick. I have to call my midwife if I think labour is starting and she will meet me at my house to assess me and I will be relying on her recommendation of when we should leave. If I feel she's not there on time and I just have that gut instinct to go I will tell her to meet me at the hospital.
-What are your plans for your older kids?
This I'm a little paranoid about. We have MIL but she works monday-friday and she also has gigs singing the weekends. She is rarely free and I'm not sure what she will be able to drop suddenly if we need her. But she is our first resort.. if that's a no go then we will drop her off with our neighbour. Makes me nervous that we don't have a set in stone plan yet for DD.
-Any other special plans you are making? No other special plans, just going with the flow.
If I'm at home and DH is home, he's driving me. The hospital is 15 min away from home. He has the ability to work from home, so I'm hoping he will be able to do that frequently when I'm close to due. If not, I'll call him when I'm having time-able contractions and tell him to come home. But it depends on where he is on how long it would take for him to get to me (he often works on project sites, some are 45 minutes away).
Worst case scenario, my sister is ~20 minutes away and she works from home. She can come get me and hang out until DH gets to the hospital.
As far as when to go, I'll discuss that with my midwife at my next appt. We haven't really talked about it yet. I do know that they ask you to call first.
Samantha - 4/5/2017
TBD. My husband is disabled and does not drive. Not sure if it would be safe to drive myself or not? I'm assuming no, so I'm planning on having my mom come and drive us. (Issue with this, we have a smaller SUV, we're expecting twins, my husband can't get to the middle seat in the back row, so I might have to squish myself back there in active labor... not ideal. I might consider taking an uber, but I assume that the driver wouldn't be so into having a laboring woman in his car (you know, typical concerns about water breaking and the seats... lol). We could also have my mom drive us in her car, and when she comes by after they're born (see other q's below) she could switch her car for mine.
How far away is it?
15 - 25 minutes depending on time of day/traffic
When will you decide it's time to go?
Plan on discussing this with my OB and MFM not sure if the rules that I keep hearing apply to twin labors? At last check Baby A was breech, which would mean a CSection. If i go into labor and need a C Section, I assume that you should hightail it to the hospital? Again, need to ask these questions next week. I'll be 33 + 1 at that appointment.
Any other special plans you are making?
Y'all made me realize that I didn't consider MY DOG! Oh my gosh PREGNANCY BRAIN. I guess I'll see if one of my neighbors or my brother or SIL can come and let her out. I also plan on having my mom come by the house with clothes or a blanket that each baby has worn so that she gets used to the smell. On the off chance that my babies are HUGE and won't fit newborn clothes, my mom or SIL will be headed to the house to wash the 3 month clothing. If they're little she'll wash the new newborn stuff that I have. If they're REALLY TINY she'll head to Carter's and buy some preemie stuff and wash it.
(I have a lot of newborn hand me downs and some used 3 month stuff, so I do have SOME clothes that are washed and ready to go, but I didn't want to jump the gun on a lot of the stuff I bought for the boys, most is from Carters and they have such a good return policy that I didn't wash anything in case I bought the wrong season or too much of a particular item.)
How far away is it? 7 miles away, 15-20min drive without traffic.
When will you decide it's time to go? I'm a FTM, hoping for vaginal delivery with no epidural. It depends on which OB in the group is doing labor & delivery when I call after going into labor. One has said unless things change she'd let me labor at home until contractions are 2-3min apart, but another has said she always brings moms into the practice (which is next to the hospital) to check their progress when they're at 5-1-1 (guess which one is said to be much more intervention-happy...). Hoping for the former.
What are your plans for your older kids? FTM, no other kids.
Any other special plans you are making? The in-laws will be driving in and staying at our place (and watching the dog).
How far away is it?
Fifteen minutes! With last two deliveries the hospital was an hour away and I never made it there, either time, haha.
When will you decide it's time to go?
As soon as I have some strong consistent contractions or water breaks! Third time around will probably go super quick, first labor was 14 hrs from first contraction to birth, second labor was 8 hours from first contraction to birth so I am preparing for a shorter third labor. I have no history of false labor so i'm not expecting to be turned away
What are your plans for your older kids?
Hopefully they'll be with MIL whether she is at the hospital with us or at home. If she isn't available they'll be in the delivery room with me and DH which sucks but I think they'll be okay until MIL can get them- just hope they dont have to witness the birth!
Any other special plans you are making?
Give me a damn epidural. Thats all I ask! My last labor was so scary and fast that it put DS in danger and I couldn't believe how much more painful the contractions were. It happened so fast once I got into transition and pushing, and it was pretty traumatizing for me and baby! I personally just want to know what it feels like to have an easier, less painful labor, but am confident I can deliver without if necessary.
How are you all planning on getting there?
I have a scheduled c section but dr thinks I will go into labor earlier so if that happens:
if at home DH will drive me. If at work I will drive myself as I drive around all day making sales calls so I will be in the car any way. Not sure yet what I will do yet if I'm at home and DH is not home though... maybe ask the neighbor to drive me or wait for DH to get home?
How far away is it? 20 min
When will you decide it's time to go? Right away as I need a c section. I haven't asked the dr yet but assuming she would say that. Probably should ask next appt
What are your plans for your older kids?
Probably bring DS with us if he is home then have my mom or mil take him back home. If during the day I will have my mom or mil pick him up from school that day.
Any other special plans you are making?
no special plans - I have a towel in my car in case my water breaks in the car while working lol. I should probably think this out a little more - last time my water broke late at night, DH was home, and I was a FTM so no other kiddo to worry about. It was kind of ideal besides the fact it was preterm!
How far away is it? Work- across the parking lot
Home- 10 minute drive, if that
When will you decide it's time to go? I am hoping to labor at home until things start getting really real
What are your plans for your older kids? FTM so I just have our pup to worry about. My parents will be staying at our house while we are in the hospital to watch him. (They are from out of town)
Any other special plans you are making? Nope!
Me: 26 Hubs: 28
Married: 6/6/15
Baby Girl: 3/22/2017
I'd say it depends on a few factors. Namely how active your labor is and the route you're driving. What's your hospital commute going to be like??
Yes - IF yoy have a few minutes of time between contractions and when they hit they aren't mind alteringly painful
and
- IF you are driving a route that isn't like a major highway/dangerous busy roads so you could safely put your blinker or flasher on and sit for a minute on the side of the road if you needed.
ETA:
Reading all the replies has made me really think about this more carefully. I always insist I'd rather labor at home, but the more I think about it, remembering how awful back labor was, I'm not sure I could tolerate being in a car if things get too far along! I'll probably head in as soon as I'm sure it's real and progressing. After all, I spent 24 hours laboring at the hospital last time and the nursing staff was wonderful about giving me space and helping me stay as comfortable as possible. And i don't know if i want my son, who will be 25 months old, to see me really in the throes of labor. I'll be at the same hospital again this time. ❤
My revised timeline after thinking:
Once I know its real, call my parents and husband to high tail it to my house. Cuddle with my son as much as possible while waiting the 45 minutes or so. Let my mom and dad take over DS duty and take a bath. Then once my contractions are clearly getting closer/longer/stronger (maybe 5-1-1 we'll see) OR if my water breaks get one last cuddle with my son and head out. Hospital is 20 minutes away not in traffic, 45 minutes in traffic. If it's rush hour I'll leave even earlier.
How are you all planning on getting there? If it happens at home my husband will take me.
How far away is it? It's about 15 minutes from my house and 20-25 from work, but from work involves a major freeway and could be a lot longer depending on traffic and weather. I really hope it happens while at home because my H would have to drive 20 minutes from his work to get me then turn around and drive 25 back to the hospital.
When will you decide it's time to go? I'm thinking the 4-1-1 thing. But my doctor said we will discuss it more next week at my 36 week appointment. This discussion is a reminder that I need to figure out the details.
What are your plans for your older kids? FTM
Any other special plans you are making? My friend will take our dog, but my dad and step mom are back up in case she cant. Need to remember to leave out lots of food and water for the cats.
Me 28 DH 28 Married 2012
TTC #1 since March 2015
Metformin + Femara + Gonal F + Trigger = BFP 6/24/16
EDD 3/3/17
Found out it's a girl! 9/23/16
How far away is it? About 20 minutes
When will you decide it's time to go? I haven't figured this out being a FTM, but I'm planning on talking to my doctor about when she would like me to do.
What are your plans for your older kids? FTM
Any other special plans you are making? My MIL will be the one we contact as she's going to take care of our cats (both have special care needs) and we'll probably just check in with her here and there. If my husband needs something for some reason or I forget something, I'm certain she'll bring it to the hospital.
BFP #1 6/13 DD 3/14
Mirena 10/14-5/16
BFP #2 9/2/16, CP confirmed 9/8/16
BFP #3 10/10/16 EDD 6/22/17
The birth center is about 25 minutes away barring major traffic or weather. We do plan for our kids to come with us as long as they're awake and one of our designated caregivers is available to be with them.
#2 3/2015
#3 3/2017
#4 10/2019
How far away is it? Depends on the time of day. It's about 15-20 (its 7.5 miles) min without traffic. But during rush hour it could take an hour. I live in DMV so traffic time are all over the place.
When will you decide it's time to go? This is my 3rd but it's been 10 years since I've been pregnant so I'll be utilizing my midwife and birth assistant to see when I need to leave.
What are your plans for your older kids? My oldest is 15 and current youngest is 9. They will both go to the birth center with us because my daughter is going to be in the room and my son is going to sit in another room. We won't be there but for 4 hours so no one will spend the night.
Any other special plans you are making? Nope
How far away is it? 5 minutes from work, 10 minutes from in-law's house, and 30 minutes from home--unless there's traffic, which can make it anywhere from 40 minutes to 2 hours. (Yay Southern California.) That's part of why I want to try to work up until my due date, which is freaking out a lot of people... it's the closest place to where I'll need to be next!
When will you decide it's time to go? I will TRY to be patient and wait for the 5-1-1 pattern, but depending on the time of day and where I am, I might leave earlier (to skip traffic). For example, I could leave home and labor at my in-law's for awhile. (Not the most comfortable idea, necessarily, but they do have a nicer bathtub than we have...). Also, so far I have had a very very similar pregnancy to my mom, and her water broke with all of her babies, so that might be in my future, in which case I'll head immediately to the hospital.
What are your plans for your older kids? N/A but our in-laws will be watching our dog. Either we'll be home and will take him with us to drop off on the way, or my brother-in-law has offered to drive out to retrieve him.
Any other special plans you are making? I don't think so... but my labor bag isn't packed yet so that might be today's goal!
*TW* - BFP & MC in March 2016.
BFP in June 2016; EDD March 2017.
Samuel born February 2017!
How far away is it? And hour from everywhere.
When will you decide it's time to go? I'm thinking when contractions are 7-8 minutes apart or so consistently. Again, I don't want to wait too long for the hour drive.
What are your plans for your older kids? A friend from work will handle the puppy babies for us. She's on standby to drive over after work if it happens on a work day or to come over whenever if it's the weekend and she's prepared to stay over night with them if necessary. The dog walker is also well aware and offered to fill in extra if need be.
Any other special plans you are making? I'm planning on getting there in a timely fashion. DH has never had any urgency in any situation so I'm hoping he'll actually come right away from work when he gets the call. He's the kind of person who will get the call, drive to the shop to drop off paperwork, stop for gas and a snack, go home to shower, then play on his phone for an hour while slowly getting dressed, then show up when it's over and act shocked that he missed it all. I told him that I don't care where he is or what work assistant he's with- he's leaving whoever on the side of the road if need be and driving straight to the hospital. I don't care if he hasn't showered. I don't care if he's hungry. HURRY!
How far away is it? Again, I walk across the street for appointments over my lunch hour all the time and takes 2 whole minutes. From home it's half an hour.
When will you decide it's time to go? Water breaking or 5 min apart contractions, then I'm supposed to call the practice. DD was born in 4 hours so I might not let it get to that point before I head over, given the distance.
Whre your plans for your older kids? ILs conveniently live in our house so they would just take over from there.
Any other special plans you are making? If DH can't get there because of the work issue then I will call my mom who lives about 15 min away and slightly closer to the hospital. Since FIL lives in our house he can drive me there, if needed.