Can you drive in very early labour?

[LisaSimpsonsbff]

Sat at work at 36 weeks idly musing about what would happen in the pretty unlikely event that I went into labour before I start maternity leave (at 38+2) and was in the office. I drive to work; it takes an hour, but the same journey by public transport takes nearly three. We only have one car, so DH couldn't come to get me - he'd have to get public transport, so would take three hours (plus - it's 3 hours from when you leave, but he could have to wait up to an hour for the first train to leave). Would attempting to drive home be madly dangerous if labour started? If so, what would I do? I could go to the hospital here but they wouldn't want to see me for hours and hours probably, so would I just have to sit around (at work?!) waiting and then if DH hadn't completed the epic journey get a taxi?

I drove my DH to work whilst having contractions, I thought they were Braxton Hicks. 6 hours later my DS was here.

One person i know went into labour at work. One employee drove her to the hospital and two more cleared up her waters .

Would that be an option? You and dh could then come back and get your own car once baby arrived.

With my last pregnacy, my husband couldn't drive dye to medical reasons. When waters broke (and they wanted me in to check over) I asked and they said, up to you. I didn't, I got a taxi - the hospital sent me home for a bit (4 hrs) but whilst I could have driven in to be checked, by the time I left it was too painful - and they had given me codeine by that stage

Should add both my labours started at 3mins apart contractions 1 min in length. I could barely get into the taxi.

Wouldn't a work colleague drive you? Most people love to be at the centre of a birth related drama!!

It's very unlikely to be a problem to drive home in early labour. But, if you do suddenly find yourself in full-on labour, you'll be able to pull over and call an ambulance.

On my third dc, I had weeks of braxton hicks driving me bananas. I realised I was probably in labour doing the school run that day when I could still feel the tightenings in the car. I have fast labours and dc was born 3 hours later, but even so I had no probs at all driving. The heavy-duty contractions didn't start til about an hour before she arrived.

Definitely don't think I could get a lift from a colleague - I work in a very small team where no one else drives, and although there are other people in the building it would literally mean going up to someone whose name I don't know and asking for a two hour lift! I know quite a few other people in the city where I work but again can think of none of them that own a car.

Probably fine but have a plan b. I know two people who had babies within two hours from first twinge and if that happens it's full on pretty much from first twinge!
Both my labours started with waters going (also unusual) so have bin bags & maternity pads etc in the car (needed if you're driving yourself or in someone else's)