I am pregnant with my first child and starting to consider my arrangements for the big day. My husband is my go-to choice for hospital transport but I'm not sure what to do if he is at work when it all kicks off.
Do I wait 30 mins for him to drive home? Then another 15 to hospital? Is that too long to be waiting or totally fine considering how long birth is likely to be?
Taxi? Uber? What did you do? We have no family or friends living closer than husband will be.
Also do hospitals generally have parking allocated to expectant fathers? Local hospital charges extortionate amounts per hour, they have no info on website and I don't want to call and ask and take someones time away from serious issues. Clinic told me they get over 2000 calls a day.
Thanks
8 Replies
Yeah 45 minutes wait will be fine. I drove myself at 41 weeks but for an induction not having contractions. If the time comes and youre worried call an ambulance but most often youll have some signs and know with plenty of time or if it starts through the night so hubby wont go into work the next day.
Generally you are in labour for a little bit so there’s quite a bit of warning, if you’re experiencing contractions that are even 20 mins apart have him stay home :) worst case scenario just get an ambulance. They do have emergency and drop off parking which you can pull into and then move once you can (marked as 15 min or drop off) but when you go to classes your hospital should be able to tell you all of this also :) good luck
Most hospitals encourage you to stay home for the early stage of labour anyway. Check with your doctor/midwife about when to come in. It's often based on how far apart contractions are etc. Vast majority of people will have plenty of time for there birthing partner to get home etc.
it really doesn't happen like in the movies where it's all panic, and a speedy drive to the hospital (except in a very small number of cases).
Most hospitals have short parking zone, but hubby will have to move his car relatively quickly. Yes parking is expensive. So if you wanted to catch a cab/uber that probably would save a little bit of money.
PS my mum had time to book a flight, drive to Sydney airport, fly to Adelaide then drive to my sisters house and made it hours before my nephew was born.
Plan to wait for your husband. My contractions were 6 minutes apart when we left to drive an hour to hospital (I have roughly four hour labours).
With my 3 Rd when I went into labour at 36 weeks I packed the other kids up drove them 45 mins to mil and then hubby and myself went to hospital. If you turn up to hospital tooearly they will send you home anyway.
There's no way of knowing how long your labour will go for but chances are 45 minutes will be heaps of time. If it's not then I'd be calling an ambulance! We live nearly an hour from our hospital and we had plenty of time. When I went into labour with my first and I was a bit unsure what to do I just rang the maternity ward and spoke to a midwife - they are more than happy to answer questions.
Have you had your preadmission to the hospital yet? I would ask them then about parking not and any other questions you have.
All the best with the arrival of your little one
Stress less IM. All will be ok. For three births my husband was working away 5 to 6 nights a week. Each time baby came he was home! Fate. But honestly you should be ok waiting. Most labour’s wont progress that quickly. Talk to your midwife about when to go in contraction time wise to help ease your mind a little. If all else failed and it progressed get an ambulance and he can meet you.