When labour starts - what if OH is at work?

[ElleDubloo]

Hi ladies. I'm 27+4 weeks and just planning ahead... If I end up going into labour at home when my husband is at work, what's the best thing to do?

a) Call him and wait 1.5 hour for him to get back, so he can drive me to the hospital?

b) Call a taxi myself and meet him at the hospital?

I read that the early stage of labour for a FTM might last a good 12 hours, so am I right in thinking it'll be quite safe to wait for him?

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

I would text and say things have started, with the expectation that he would wrap up whatever he is doing and make his way home. then id call the maternity ward and say things have started. Then id have a bath and some paracetamol and rest.

If the pains become too intense, call a taxi and get yourself to hospital and text dh to meet you there. Strong likelihood is that you will have well in advance of1.5hrs between the first sign and the last push.

[13Stitches]

I think if you ring at the first sign of definite labour he'll have plenty of time to get back. It's likely to be many hours from first twinges to action.

But have a backup set of plans (taxi, friend, neighbour etc). Quick first timers have been known looking at you, DSis

[divingoffthebalcony]

This happened with me. DH was at work 90 mins away. Once I was sure this was it, I texted him at work to let him know, this was about 2pm. About an hour and a half later I texted again to say I wanted him home.

Went to hospital around 10pm. Baby born at 4am.

It's unlikely that there will be a big panic and you'll have to head to hospital without him. Possible, but unlikely.

[museumum]

My labour came on gradually from about 3pm. I wasn't sure it was labour till 8pm and my dh was home, didn't have ds till 8pm the next day.
It didn't occur to me to call dh home from work that first afternoon.

I think if you're going to be one of the very very very rare labours that are very short it will probably be quite obvious and intense right away. For most of us it's a very gradual "is this it or not?" build up.

[callamia]

You would usually have ample time to wait.
My waters broke first, and then nothing for four hours. My husband came home at the normal time and we still didn't leave for hospital until 10pm (after a takeaway).

You'll know by the frequency of your contractions how urgent it is. Although, some people's labours are pretty speedy - this isn't something you can know in advance.

[lilyblue5]

I'm wondering the same as you... The man works 2hrs away... I'm hoping I will get plenty of warning so I can let him know to leave work and come home.. (He lives away during the week also).

I keep thinking 'how will I know when I'm in labour!!' Which will probably sound daft to those who have done it before but this is my first and I really don't know what to expect!!
How long, first warning signs etc..

I'm 37 weeks ATM so have warned my mum she might need to be a taxi! Just hope it's as slow as most first pregnancies are and he has time to get back!!! Xx