Dilemma - how to get to hospital when in labour

[Lucky13]

Hi,
I thought i was all organised and now my plans seem to be falling apart.

I'm booked in for a c section next month, but i've just realised suddenly that if i go into labour early i'll have no-one to take me to hospital in time.

The problem is that if i go into labour - i have to go in asap for an emergency c/s as i'm unable to have a natural birth or its curtains for me!

The dilemma is that DH is now between 1-2 hours away (plus 30 mins at least to get to hospital) and all my other back ups are either no longer available or just as far.

Ok, so the first stupid question is - could i drive myself in v early labour? By the time i realise that i'm in labour would i be in too much pain?

Do all first pregnancies have a really long labour - i keep hearing of first babies out in an hour or two?!!

I have thought of a taxi, but i'm out in the middle of nowhere and they would take just as long - if they could find my house! Same again for an ambulance - would feel like a fraud for using them and there's nothing they could do to help anyway - other than blue lights!

I'm really starting to panic now as DH promised he would be at home for the last few weeks.

Any ideas would be helpful as i can't see a way round it.

f I were in your situation I would either get a taxi or an ambulance. TBH I think I would call an ambulance if noone available to take you in.

I've had sections for all of mine and never gone into early labour - (am expecting number 4) . Call an ambulance if it happens, and explain the situation - 1) early labour might be problematic for baby and 2) it's dangerous for you.
Good luck. Remember they are doing the section, I assume, a bit early anyway, so hopefully you don't need to worry.

call labour ward, and they will either arrange ambulance or you can call one yourself, if going into labour is potentially dangerous or even fatal, then you can use the ambulance service,..don;t drive yourself... is your c.s booked for 39 weeks?

Sorry, i should say that a taxi is definitely out. We have tried on a number of occasions in the past to get one and not one has managed to turn up within a hour!!

Do you have a neighbour who you could ask - even if you don't know them well. If my heavily pregnant neighbour asked me I wouldn't dream of saying no.

Can dh not take some time off work?

From personal experience and that of my friends, labour from first twinge to baby varies hugely but I know of no one who didn't have several hours at least (doesn't mean its not possible I guess).

Can you stay with someone for a few weeks who does not live in such a remote place (family etc) or better still could someone come and stay with you?

Lulumama - I'm just so petrified that the ambulance wouldn't find me! I can't tell you the trouble we have with people finding where we live!

Yes section is booked for 39 weeks - only 3 weeks to go now, hence the panic.

well, i would write down the directions, and landmarks, so if you do have to call in a panic, you can read the directions to the ambulance call room operator ..

GooseyLoosey - my neighbour is rarely around, so unfortunately i couldn't rely on her.

My DH works for himself and has had to take a job away from home. I'm still working (from home) and can't stay with anyone else. We desperately need the money at the mo.

Lulumama - i think you're right, an ambulance is the only option. If i write detailed directions now, then i could read them calmly without having to think if i was in a panic.

I think i'm just so upset because DH said he'd be here.

thanks

try not to panic

odds are you won't go i nto labour, and if you do, a first labour is usually long enough to get to hospital quite safely.

can i be really nosy and ask what condition you have that makes a natural birth so dangerous?

have you talked about this with DH> does he kow quite how worried you are?

You can be nosey! I've had lots of surgery in the past which has meant i'm full of staples holding my insides together. I've been told that if the baby moves too far down the staples will come apart.

I've tried telling DH, but he refuses to discuss it. He hates the guy he is working for and won't even ask if he could do something different from home (he normally does work from home for someone else). I'm not even sure the guy knows i'm pregnant!!

I'm annoyed because i don't think he's tried hard enough to get a different contract.

Really, dont panick, you are entitled to an ambulance, call one if you need to, it is the best solution.

An ambulance sounds like the way to go, but could your mother or someone come and stay with you in the last week if you are really stressed about this?

call an ambulance - they will find you.

Oh dear, that sounds dreadfully stressful.

This is going to sound bizarre, but if you really are in the middle of nowhere (I am picturing some Bronte-esque house on the moors, pitch dark and lashing rain of course), could you get a couple of marine flares? If the ambulance gets close but takes a wrong turn, you could fire one and it'll hover above your house for ages.

Ambulance, without a doubt - as you say it is an emergency for you and you can explain this.

Do you have any appointments before your section? Discuss it with your consultant/midwife.

I could have driven myself in early labour with all 3 of mine. Not entirely sure it would be recommended as everyone is different of course.

Is it worth trying to get them to bring your caesarean forward? If it would be so disasterous for you to go into labour shouldn't you be having a CS at 37/38 weeks or being kept in on the antenatal ward?

Of COURSE you wouldn't be a fraud to call the ambulance in this situation! its what they are there for.

Don't ambulances have sat nav nowadays?

Have a chat with a midwife. I'm sure she can give you good advice on what to do and when to call.

My mum has just been taken into hospital poor thing so she can't stay (was my backup)

Our road doesn't appear on Sat Nav for some reason!!

My consultant just said see you on the day unless i get any pain beforehand. I've spent so much time in hospital over the past few years that i just couldn't spend any extra time in. I don't really want them to bring it forward as i would like to give LO as long as possible - but i do see your point tho.

My midwife is on hols now for 2 weeks!

Do you think the world may be out to get me - i certainly feel rather paranoid today!!

I certainly like the flares idea tho - mind you in my current clumsy state i'll just brun the house down!!

sorry - 'burn' the house down!

goodness me, that sounds very difficult

your DH sounds like he is really stressed with his job, so not discussing this is his way of dealing with it, which is not helpful..

you could discuss bringing c.s forward to 38 weeks, 37 weeks is classed as full term, so 38 weeks should not be an issue.. they do like c.s babies to stay in utero as long as poss due to possibilty of breathing difficulties, but 38 weeks should not make that much of a difference.

hope you can relax and enjhoy the last few weeks of pregnancy x

If you could die as a result of labor, its simply a 999 call, no debate.

I would call an ambulance, you would definately not be a fraud for using them.

lucky, you definitely need to call an ambulance.
I know you say your road is not on SAT NAV, but not all sat nav systems are the same, and they do get updated, so even though it hasn't shown up in the past it doesn't mean it won't now iyswim?

if you are worried though, then find the nearest place that does get sat nav coverage and then give them directions from there.
have some faith lol, I am sure they will find you- remember these people drive around your area a lot, they will probably know where to go.

hope all goes well and you don't end up needing it