Bit worried about travel and childcare plans

[belindarose]

Having read the thread on second labours and seeing how quick some of them were, I'm increasingly worried about our arrangements.

I'm 40+2, so it's imminent!

Plans are:
If night time, ring friend who can be here in 30 minutes or less. She will stay with sleeping DD (almost 3) and take her back to her house in the morning. DH and I will go to hospital - another 30 minutes.

If daytime, ring DH as soon as I know something is happening. He'll be here in 40 minutes. Ring friend once we plan on going to hospital. She will be here in 20-30 minutes and take DD. We'll drive to hospital.

If this hasn't all happened by 40+7, my mum will probably come and stay and DH will be on leave anyway. All relations about 5 hours away.

Although I know I could still have plenty of warning and a labour that drags on for days, I'm worried about a much quicker one and that these timescales won't work.

Friend lives in the exact opposite direction to the hospital!

Any suggestions? I don't really need to add to my anxiety! Thanks.

I think those time scales sound fine - how long was your labour last time?

Oh good, that's reassuring. Last labour was 17 hours from first contraction, went into hospital after 8 hours. I am needlessly worrying, aren't I!

I've got about the same timescales and I took 6 hours in total last time - 2 hours at home. So I blinking well hope they're going to work! Am also 40+1! Good luck!

Best piece of advice I had from a midwife (and I ended up taking it) was if you feel you've left it too late to get to hospital, STAY AT HOME! You are easier to find there than somewhere on the road between home and hospital.

First labour was 12 hours; second was 2.5. Thought I wasn't coping as well as first time but actually everything was going quicker. Good luck!