What should I do?

Question

I want to have the most natural birth I can have in a hospital. There’s a hospital about 10 minutes away from where we live, but I know a lot of people that go to a farther hospital to give birth. The closer hospital is very pro intervention and will have me hooked up to monitors and an IV immediately. There’s a very good hospital 50 minutes away that have labor tubs and more modern birthing practices. It’s also close to the best NICU in the state. I would like to go to the better one, but my husband is scared that we won’t make it in time and I’ll have our first baby in the car. What do you guys think we should do?

Answer

If you have it in the car at least it’ll be pretty natural😂😂 but really go to the better one... I had a horrible experience because the people wouldn’t listen to me or let me do anything i wanted to... drive that 50 minutes.!!

Answer

Strive for the one that is further away. Most of the time, you have a very long time until you’re ready to push. I labored in the hospital for 12 hours before it was time for me to push. And I even took a shower after my water broke at home and got a snack lol. In the moment, if you are feeling like it’s an immediate issue, then go to the one closer. But most likely, you won’t need to.

Answer

You’ll be fine. I live in a rural area and the closest hospital to us is about 40 mins away. I’ve made it there both times although the last time I waited a little bit too long and was 9cm when I arrived! Had a natural and fast birth though!

Answer

If you aren’t getting induced, honestly any birth plan you have could easily go out the window as soon as things get going.

Answer

I wouldn’t risk a 50 minute drive. But that’s your ‘plan’ you could go all natural and have the baby in the car lol

Answer

50 minutes for a much greater chance at a better experience seems well worth it. unfortunately, although I life right outside a major city, all of the hospitals that have maternity are a minimum of 35-40 minutes away, so I don’t really have a choice but to drive a ways. Obviously anything can happen, but it would be unlikely you’ll go that fast and not make it in time.

Answer

Especially with a first baby you should have plenty of time to go 50 minutes. My hospital is an hour away and this is my 4th baby. My OB said even the fastest labors (precipitous labor, which occurs in about 2-3% of pregnancies) usually last 3-5 hours. The average woman is in active labor (recognizable contractions in a pattern) for 12-15 hours.

What should I do?

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