When to go to hospital

[diddlediddle]

I live about 45 mins away from the hospital where I am due to deliver my second baby (depending on traffic). Assuming labour progresses normally (eg nothing unusual happens like waters break and there's meconium or something) when should I get in the car to make the journey?

My first labour was exceptionally long, baby was back to back, so I don't think I can take much from that.

I don't want to get to hospital too early and risk being sent home, also I want to be able to use my hypnobirthing at home for as long as possible before being exposed to the hospital environment. Equally I don't want to leave it too late, and/or be really struggling to make the journey.

Any ideas? Thank you!

Have you thought about a home birth?

Ask the hospital.

For me, I phoned as soon as I was unsure. Both times I just made it, with me giving birth 20 mins later.

I did have back to back for either, but I knew my body the second time round enough to question how things were going... contractions were 4 minutes apart and not very painful. That's what threw me off. By the time I got down the stairs to leave 15 mins after the phonecall they ramped up. I'd also been 4cm dilated 2 hours earlier with no signs of contractions at all. Midwife who did my sweep was very surprised.

Thank you for your replies.

Not prepared to have a home birth after last time but agree that would have been nice. I asked the hospital and they were a bit vague. They said around every 4 mins but that I could come in earlier if I want to. 4 mins to me seems like it might be a bit late? But I don't want to go too early!

If it's 45 mins away then I'd head in earlier. You don't know how quickly things can change.

Are you taking blood thinners or other medication? If so then you need to go to the hospital when the first stage starts so you can be advised when to stop / start.

It's likely that the first stage will progress well at home, but when you get in the car and change environment this can slow the contractions. I had the same back to back scenario with my first, but with my second went in when 5 mins apart and they slowed a bit and was in established labour for only 1.5 hours. Second stage & Birth 7 minutes.

I think you should set off when they are about 6 mins apart.

Thank you. Ok that is helpful. No not on any meds like that but that's interesting to know.

@Lottelupin 6 minutes that sounds like a sensible suggestion. Yes I am worried about the journey slowing things down so I want to make sure I'm far enough along first but as you say, the latter part of your labour was quite swift so it's good to be prepared! I hope mine will be too!

It's hard to predict I'm afraid. I'm only 10 mins from hospital, I waited until contractions were every 3 mins lasting 60 seconds and went in. I was 5cm, but still didn't have ds for another 5 hours. My sister waited the same and gave birth 3 minutes after arriving at the hospital!!

@Whoopsies you're right it is so hard to know isn't it. But still, 5 hours from 5cm to birth sounds like an absolute dream to me after my last birth so I would take that! ☺️

My midwife with my 2nd told me to go in when the contractions stopped me in my tracks and took my breath away. Worked well- we had a 20 minute drive and he was born prob an hour after arrival!

Depends on traffic e.g time of day ... on a clear run my hospital is that far away.

I was having contractions 3 mins apart for a good hour and still got there in time ( though fully dilated ) First baby and thought as the contractions lasted 50 seconds. Instead of 60 it didn’t count ... luckily I went in to check about all the bleeding ( because I dilated quickly I was later told )

I’d honestly go in sooner rather than later. All of my 4 have been back to back, but only the first one was awful, 14 hour labour, about 3 hours of pushing and she didn’t turn. None of the subsequent ones have been like that, second one was 4 hours with only 8 minutes pushing, and my births have got quicker. For the others I was very close to hospital, but for my last one I was about a similar distance to you and was so worried I’d end up giving birth accidentally at home. As it was, my waters went with a trickle at ten days over and I got straight into the car. The contractions immediately lasted about a minute, every three minutes, and stayed that way til she was born about four hours later in the most unbelievable painless birth. I really recommend staying upright and active if you’re prone to back to back babies, all of mine have been and having had physio it seems my pelvis sits quite oddly so this probably encourages the babies to lie that way. With my first I was induced and had an epidural so there was no way she could have turned. All the others I moved around, and the last two I laboured and gave birth in the water, which I really recommend if you get the chance. But if I’d have waited til the contractions were unbearable, I’d have never left my bedroom. The midwife I spoke to on the phone was great and told me to come straight in, and even though when I got there I was only 3 cms they believed me when I told them about my other quick births so let me get straight into the pool. Good luck with it all x

I'd go sooner rather than later.
I asked the midwives this question as with my first I was doing OK until my waters broke and that's when contractions came at the set intervals they tell you to go in at and were taking my breath away. I was there less than an hour before delivery, so wanted to ensure this time I got there in time.
They were not that helpful, and just said you have to gauge it yourself and just understand that you may be sent home. I was told that once you arrive to be checked, if you are not in active labour they often ask you to stay for an hour just in case.
I ended up holding out at home as I was doing fine. I called the unit when I was still coping and i thought I still had a while to go and they initially recommended staying home as I was doing well but then changed their minds before I hung up.
Thank god they did as we got straight into the car and that's when I realised that my contractions had suddenly ramped up.
I spent the 30 min car journey in agony, clearly in active labour and telling dh to pull over on the motorway as baby was coming out.
We made it to hospital with 2mins to spare.

Given the drive I wouldn't wait. If they can't admit you, is there somewhere nearby you could wait it out if needs be?

With DS1 labour was 23 hours, had DS2 6 weeks ago and labour was under an hour. I only had 5 minutes from calling hospital to him being born. On the bathroom floor. While DH was taking DS1 to grandparents so I was alone.. Labours really don't follow a pattern!

@Frizzy1986 @DennisSkinnersMolotov 😮 those are some scary stories!! God it's really hard to know what to do for the best! I guess I'll just have to try to judge it at the time. First labour was literally 3 days so the concept of it only lasting a couple of hours or so is mind boggling to me!