Panicking about going into labour during snow

[GrownUpGrowingUp]

I'm really panicking about this. I am only 36 weeks but it's been suggested by midwife that she thinks I may be a little early. We are getting quite a bit of snow here which is fine for now but I'm panicking that it'll happen when we need to get to the hospital in however many weeks time.

I have a blood condition which means I'm on a very specific birth plan which requires a haematologist consultant to be present so cannot have a home birth as I'm at risk of hemorrhage.

In normal times I'd ask if ambulance would be an option in these circumstances but obviously I doubt very much I'd be priority right now.

I'm so nervous I can't sleep from worrying about it

Does your partner drive?
If you need to be monitored right from the start of labour (advice is usually to labour at home as long as possible) I think you'll have plenty of time to get there. My friend made the decision to go to hospital earlier in her labour due to snow. They tried to send her home until she pointed out that if she went home she'd never get back to the hospital so they met her stay. This was during the beast from the east so pretty bad.
On a side note I was told by my midwife I would be early. I was two weeks late.
Good luck.

Yes he drives but our cars aren't really very good in snow. Light stuff yes but if it ever got bad then no.

I think that's what I'll have to do, just try and go as soon as anything starts if the roads are looking like they may get bad.

Ambulances aren't fitted with special snow tyres, and would have to both travel to you and from you in the snow which would take longer than just setting off at steady pace yourself.

Unless you live very rurally the roads are generally cleared pretty quickly. If you do live rurally and were genuinely stuck then it's highly likely your local search and rescue/ mountain rescue team would assist if needed.

Although some people do give birth very rapidly the vast majority of people labour for hours and hours, even days, before they need to anywhere near a hospital so you will most likely have plenty of time to assess the situation and decide what to do.

The most likely scenario though is that there won't be so much snow on the ground that you are snowed in and you should be able to get yourselves to hospital as planned.

Can you afford winter tyres on either of your cars if this is a regular problem for you in the winter?

Are you particularly rural?

Maybe worth getting winter tyres fitted to one of the cars.

And echoing an above poster, MWs really cannot say with any certainty that you will go early/late (unless its a planned csec) so just be mindful that you could get yourself in a fizz that could last at least a month.

Ambulances aren't fitted with special snow tyres

They don’t have ‘normal’ tyres.

news.michelin.co.uk/new-tyre-policy-rolled-out-for-south-east-coast-ambulance-service/

Why does she think you will be early? Has she checked your cervix? Unless she actually has I would take it with a pinch of salt... as others have said they can’t predict when baby will come unless there is an induction or similar booked.

I’d literally not worry about it and cross that bridge if and when you come to it,

Get your drive salted or gritted at the very least. Then keep a shovel, extra blanket, whatever organised people have to prepare for snow, in your car. Make sure you always have good battery on your mobile phone..

Maybe if you do a couple of practical things it might take the edge off the worries xx

I think routes near hospitals come under priority for road gritting. A nice steady drive and you'll be fine, you don't want to be speeding during labour anyway. Stash the car with a spade, grit, torch, cardboard to stick under spinning wheels and you'll feel prepared its so unlikely you'll get stuck but it might make you feel better

Winter tyres are a really good suggestion if possible.

I'll be honest this is the sort of thing I'd pass to my dh to worry about. Dh, I'm making the baby. Can you sort winter tyres/check driving routes and keep and eye on the weather.

Then stop thinking about it.