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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Most comfortable position to be in when travelling in the car at high speed to hospital

36 replies

MoshiMoshi · 14/04/2009 10:25

... I should add when in active labour! My problem is always that after a relaxing and calm labour at home, we then have to dash to hospital whizzing through London to get to hospital to deliver the baby. Obviously, this undoes all of the good work done up to then and I find it distinctly uncomfortable positioning myself in the car. Does anyone have any tips for good positions in the car in this situation?

Thanks for any responses.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

MuffinBaker · 14/04/2009 10:42

don't go at high speed.

don't leave it too late so you have to rush

have the baby at home.

greatwhiteshark · 14/04/2009 10:43

home birth?

pginthecloset · 14/04/2009 10:46

This is something almost impossible to plan in advance. You don't know how you'll be feeling at the time!

I agree, try not to leave it so late you'll have to rush, but again, you can't plan for this.

When I had DS2 the labour was so fast, and the hospital so far that we were really rushing. I was on all fours in the back seat - there was not way I could have sat.

It didn't help that DH had put no diesel in the car and we had to stop at the petrol station

LibrasJusticeLeagueofBiscuits · 14/04/2009 10:48

This is highly illegal but on all 4s on the back seat, like you almost all my good work during the labour was undone by being strapped in the front seat on the way to the hospital (with my head squashed against the ceiling as I was on several towels so I didn't leak on the seat!)

LuluisgoingtobeanAunty · 14/04/2009 10:52

home birth !

or go to hospital and hang around the lobby/corridors/gardens until you actually need to go to the labour ward. you can walk and squat and lean and do all those sorts of things.

or all fours in the back , bum high in the air if you feel pushy.

littlelamb · 14/04/2009 10:59

I was in the back seat of my friends car, on about 5000000000 towels, facing backwards and clenching onto the seat. There was no way I was sitting down, and I'm not even 5 minutes from the hospital. And get whoever is driving to take it easy. I remember having a contraction when we had stopped at traffic lights assuming they would pull of gently, and it was a bit of a shock when they didn't!

doulalc · 14/04/2009 11:12

Personally I wouldn't take the chance of not being restrained....could think of nothing worse than that being the one time you get hit by someone.

If you have quick labours, either have a home birth or go in earlier than you might normally, as was mentioned, and just wander around until you feel you really need to be there.

spinspinsugar · 14/04/2009 11:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Peachy · 14/04/2009 11:19

I'd echo the bit about not being restrained- I would guess its the time driver / DP / Dh etc is most likely to be edgy and maybe have an accident and would not risk it.

I ahd a very fast last labour, home birth was best. Had I not had one, ds4 would have arrived in tesco carpark on the way.

pipsqueak · 14/04/2009 11:19

i dont understand why you dont go to hospital beofre you get to the stage of being uncomfortable to travel or jsut ahve a hb else sounds like the worst of both worlds

spinspinsugar · 14/04/2009 12:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

MoshiMoshi · 14/04/2009 14:22

Thanks for your responses. I would love a homebirth but as DH (son of two doctors) is not keen it isn't really an option as I think he needs to be relaxed with the whole process. My last labour was just under 2 hours so things progressed quite quickly so I may not have the luxury of getting to hospital in good time, especially as I will have to make arrangements for my 2 DC to be looked after when I know it is time to go. Hence, I will probably find myself in the situation I have described!

OP posts:

dinkystinky · 14/04/2009 14:29

Get a cab - blackcabs have tonnes of space in the back so you can fidget around (and saves whoever you're with faffing around trying to find parking - particularly if you're likely to give birth v quickly) or Addison Lee cabs are roomier than the average car. Hands and knees position easily the most comfortable - though for my dash to hospital with DS2 (when was already 10 cms and mooing like a cow) I wanted sitting up right and leaning my head against back of seat in front to focus on breathing through...

Peachy · 14/04/2009 14:37

Be aware Moshi that with ds4 I went from a 3.5 hr laboutr to a 35 minute one. Had I not had a HB booked I would not have amde it under any method.

Keep the number of the ambuance handy, and also the basics.... towels, etc- on a JIC basis.

Original poster

MoshiMoshi · 14/04/2009 15:15

Hmm, make that my 3 DCs. Not sure where one disappeared to on my last post.

OP posts:

Original poster

MoshiMoshi · 14/04/2009 15:19

Getting distinctly nervous at prospect of not making it in time now... Perhaps we should consider getting there early on in labour as has been suggested. It is just so nice to be relaxing at home...

OP posts:

StarlightMcEggzie · 14/04/2009 15:21

Sit behind the driver and put your head on the seat behind the passenger seat.

You are restrained-ish, you are lying on your left side (good positioning), turn the radio up loud and concentrate on your breathing and try to relax and tune into the gentle motion of the car.

FlyMeToDunoon · 14/04/2009 15:24

I was on all fours on the back seat, trying to stick my bum in the air which was uncomfortable. Made it to the hospital drop off point and there DD3 was born.
On the tarmac.
Don't leave it too late!

StarlightMcEggzie · 14/04/2009 15:28

Moshi PLAN a homebirth. If you have time/want to, you can always transfer, but you'll be doing it with a mw by your side. Explain that to your DH.

MrsTittleMouse · 14/04/2009 16:58

My labours both slowed down on the way, which was very helpful. I also had TENS or a heatpad on my back and leaned on one cheek.

LuluisgoingtobeanAunty · 14/04/2009 17:00

if you are relaxed at home and labour quickly, why would you not deliver at home? is there something putting oyu off a homebirth?

JustKeepSwimmingInChocolate · 14/04/2009 17:01

Moshi - do you care more that he is relaxed or that you are??????

Home birth all the way here

MuffinBaker · 14/04/2009 17:02

Just get babysitters on their way as soon as you have the first twinge.

It isn't just a nervous driver you have to worry about, it is other drivers who can hit you.

Jojay · 14/04/2009 17:03

Another tip - clear the back seat of car seats - we didn't and had DS1's seat in there, plus the base for the infant carrier for the new arrival. It meant I had to sit in the front which, as it happens, was ok, but it may have been a nightmare.

JustKeepSwimmingInChocolate · 14/04/2009 17:04

Honestly, imagine not having to worry too much about childcare (they may well be in bed/happy watching tv, etc.), not having to worry abut getting the car/drive to hosp/staggering through corridors/hoping someone pays attention to you in time, etc.etc.etc.

Just stay at home, call MW, chill and have baby

of you quick labours btw!

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