ladies cooking subsequent babies, how far away is your hospital

[liahgenisuptheduff]

Hi all,

This is my 6th baby and haven't had particularly fast labours, last one was 7 hours 1st twinge to birth including being stuck for an hour so 6 hours.

Thing is I'm thinking about a hospital a bit further away from home, about 35 mins door to door.

What do we think? Realistic in established labour? Too far?

What are you all doing?

I am in NW London, hospital is 3 tube stops or 20 mins by car (probably less in middle of night). Labour number 2 was around 9 hours from when I knew i was in labour (was having lots of BH for days before but that was when contractions seemed more real).

I am happy with my local hospital and TBH didn't enjoy the car journey there in labour last time, so unless there was a really good reason I'd want to stick to local hospital and not go somewhere further away - partially as I would always want to go to hospital as late as possible.

That being said you don't have history of quick labours so it you prefer that then why not - esp if you are open to going in a little earlier.

What is reason for further away hospital?

35 mins is about the driving time to my closest hospital. As they nearly killed and and my baby at the end of a 40hr labour last time, I will be happy to travel a bit further this time.

I will also be telling OH to take the roundabouts on the way there a bit more slowly

We only have one hospital with a maternity department in my local area which takes about 40 minutes to get to off peak, although it could be as much as and hour and a half during rush hour.

As this is my first baby, I have no idea of how long my labour will be but suffice to say, my DH is swotting up on how to deliver a baby just in case!

So in answer to your question, I certainly hope that 35 mins door to door is realistic in established labour or I'm in trouble!!

Well I have a minimum of a 40 min drive with no traffic and ideal driving conditions, but realistically it is an hour drive to get to my local hospital (can be longer with traffic!). Last time my baby only took an hour and a half to arrive, and I did not realise I was in labour for the first half hour! So he ended up being an unplanned homebirth. (best experience ever ironically).

liaghen - since you are on #7 and you have not had any really fast labours so far, I would have thought that 35 mins is fine for getting to the hospital, as long as you have childminding sorted, it gives you plenty of time I would have thought? This will be my 4th pregnancy, and mine have become quicker each time, so with my travel time, it is a case of I have to be in hospital before baby starts making an appearance or plan a homebirth for this time! With my second birth they would not discharge me from the hospital when I was in on/off pre-labour, due to the distance. Meant I had 5 days in hospital before giving birth, it was not fun.

Hoopermummy - It is rare for first babies to be very quick, so you will probrably have hours and hours to spare! But your husband swotting up is a wise move just in case! Congrats.

On second baby here. Hospital is about 15 mins on bus, but I am going to try for a home. Apparently the ambulances can do it in under 5 if necessary. My labour with DS1 was very long (but not painful so didn't matter) at 48 hours.

This is my fourth baby and I do have fast labours - 20 mins last time. So I'm planning a home birth as the hospital is about 35 minutes away in light traffic. I chose that hospital over a marginally closer but rather horrible one.