A friend brought up a good point...

Danalana wrote: the women's center where I will deliver is over 45 minutes away, and that's if we are driving pretty fast. I know a lot of first-timers go pretty long, but I know a couple who had very quick labors. Now, my husband could NOT help me if I progressed quickly and had an emergency on the way. My friend said that if my doctor knows the distance we have to drive, he might want to induce me a day or 2 earlier. Of course, this is just someone who doesn't even know my doctor...but what do you think? Would you be comfortable with an almost hour-long drive? I might have lots of time to get there, but then again....
I know it's better to go on my own, but now I'm concerned. I will ask him at my next appt, which is October 23, but what do you think? Or is this not a long distance to drive for a delivery?

boyohboyohboy replied: speaking as someone not in your shoes...
but having had three kids, i would not want to be induced if I didnt have to be. I just think the meds used and the whole process is a little harsher on your body then if you went into labor when mother nature wanted you to. I was induced and was only in an 8 hour delivery, but it was much harder then my natural delivery. just having experienced all the possible ways to give birth now, my own opinion is to let nature take its course if you are able to.
I think in most cases people do make it to the hosp. but i would definately discuss it with your dr, and make sure you are comfortable with the whole thing.
what do most people in your area do?

grapfruit replied: Well....

My bf's deliveries went QUICK! Her first baby was about 3 hours (maybe) from start to baby.

W/her second one she almost had her in the car. They were about 45 away from their hospital as well. They left as soon as she went into labor, the second contraction she felt her water broke. Luckily it was like 6am on a Sunday so there was no traffic. He was going about 90 down the highway and she was praying for them to get pulled over just so the trooper could deliver Kristin. She thinks if she was in the hospital from start to finish it could of been about a 20-25 min labor or so. As it was it was maybe 45 min!

She did make it, but the next one they induced so she wouldn't have that same problem.

So, I guess talk to your doctor. But my thought is (and my thoughts are totally uneducated, so take them w/a grain of salt). Is that if you're worried, level a little earlier then you would if the hospital was closer and you will PROBABLY still make it....but you're right, it's a crap shoot.

CantWait replied: IMHO I'm not comfortable with being induced just because a hospital is a 45 minute drive away.
When I was in labor with Robbie I had been in labor with him all day and was already 6 cm dialated when I went to the hospital thinking that something was wrong. It was still another 4 and a half hours before I delivered him.
With Anthony I told to go in when my contractions were 5 mins apart. Thinking that second deliveries go faster, I went in and it was 14 hours later.
Really I don't think one goes into delivery so quickly most of the time that they aren't able to make it into the hospital, and if things progress quicker then you anticipated you could always call an ambulance (provided you have a cell phone).
I think it also depends on whether or not your water has broken. My deliveries always flew by once my water broke.
Just another option.

Kaitlin'smom replied: I had about 30-40 minute drive to the hospital and longer if we hit traffic, 75 is awful. Okay here is a funny story

we went to the hospial in the am of the 27th cause I was in labor, well it stoped and they sent me home. Well that afternoon we had to go back (water broke) well it was hitting high traffic so DH called the local station to ask the guy who drives around a reports the traffic if we ween to watch out for anything, well he patched us right to him and then announced anyone on 75 south get out of the way a (said our car type) is on the way to the hospital with a woman in labor it was so funny deffinaly helped with that contraction.

you got to do whats comfortable for you and your DH.

amynicole21 replied: Being induced SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS! Don't choose that route unless absolutely necessary. I can almost guarantee you'll have plenty of time to get there... and wait, and wait, and play a few games of solitare and sleep and eat and wait some more

moped replied: 45 minutes is a normal drive for me int he city so it wouldn't concern me and didn't when I had Jack
I don't know anything about being induced, but would think it is better to go on your own.
Wait and see how it goes when you are about 36 weeks and firgure it out then maybe

Calimama replied:
I agree.

A&A'smommy replied: Dr. Rosenstiel did induce my friend because we live about hour and 15 minutes away give or take a little so he might want to induce you, but I agree don't let him induce you just because of that MOST first timers are in labor for WAY longer than 45minutes.

MoonMama replied: I can only speak from my experience....But I would have never made it there with Braedin. Labor and delivery was so short. I started having minor contractions around 8pm nothing too bad so I went to lay down for a bit. Woke at midnight and they were worse but still not anything I was unable to handle so DH called the doctor and they said to go to labor and delivery once they were 5 minutes apart or I was unable to handle them. I was able to fall back asleep and woke up at 4:30am and was in a fair amount of pain but still honestly not horrible, we started timing again and they were 3 minutes apart (uh-oh). So DH called the doctors and off to the hospital we went. We got there about 5:00am, its was about a 15 minute drive but we were in the middle of a snow storm and a LOT of light were out so no traffic lights etc. So we get there and they check me and I'm 10cm, bulging water about to break and ready to go. My actual doctor didn't have time to get there she lived over an hour away. So the main doctor in the practice ended up delivering Braedin and he was born at 5:25 am. So my labor was easy and fast. So my point is I would of never made it if where I delivered was so far away. But talk to your doctor and have a back-up plan.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: We have all heard of stories of women giving birth in a car or on the side of the road or in their own home (not by choice), but it isn't common. I personally think you will have plenty of time. Most of the time, doctors will say not to call the hospital until you are in active labor (something like 3-5 minutes apart), but in your case, since you have a far drive, they may make the exception and let you come in earlier. If you do, they may make you wait for a room depending on how busy you are, but at least you are there, kwim? I know my cousin did this. She had over an hour drive, so she went in one night because of bad labor pains. They should have sent her home, but because of the long drive, they didn't and actually allowed her to spend the night. She had the baby the next day. If there is room, they will do this. So don't worry. You'll make it.

jcc64 replied: I really think you should have a very good reason for being induced, and imo, a 45 min drive isn't compelling enough. Your body knows what to do, and when, and forcing it into labor prematurely should only happen for medical reasons, not for convenience sake. There are many ways around a 45 min drive. Go in when your contrax are farther apart if you're really worried.
Trust me, you'll have time. There are always exceptions, but by and large, labor is a long, slow process, and you will absolutely know when it's time to get the lead out.
Everyone worries about this the first time, hon. But it rarely happens like you see it in the movies, kwim?

Danalana replied: Yeah, I'm sure I'll have time...I'm just nervous! A local girl was having labor pains, and she was sent home--they said it wasn't the real deal yet. It wasn't at the place I will be going. Anyway, she got back home and immediately got in the tub to relieve the contractions...she felt lots of pressure, and there the baby's head was! Luckily, her mother was there and she called 911. They instructed her on how to cut the cord and everything. I don't like these kinds of stories!
And forgive my lack of knowledge of inductions. I had no idea it was a huge deal but, then again, never been there. All I know is that I want the baby here safely

Brias3 replied: I was the same distance when I was having Ryan. We were living in the dead center of Hong Kong at the time and the hospital we chose was about 15 miles from us, however it took us about 45 minutes to actually get there I was flipping out over the thought of going into labor and being stuck in a cab like in the movies or something!

I really should think you'd have enough time to get there. I'd try to avoid induction if at all possible. No guarantees of course, but if you're ready to jump at the drop of a hat, like when your contractions first start if you feel more comfortable, then I would imagine the commute would not be an issue!

C&K*s Mommie replied: I completely agree about letting your body do its work, and not scheduling the delivery.

Anyhow, I'd see what the doc had to say about it. For my midwives with my 2 pg's, travelling more than an hour away from our town was not approved, once I was within a month of the edd.

Danalana replied: I had wanted to try and labor at home for a while, so that was really the issue. I'm not sure I should hang around here very long. Maybe wait til the contractions are 10 minutes apart and then leave? I don't know. I'll ask him.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: Yes, just speak with your doctor. I'm sure he deals with this type of thing often.

We were also 45 mins (in good traffic) from the hospital when I was pg with Ethan, but I was still induced so I didn't have to worry about the drive.

mammag replied: I agree with the others and wouldn't get induced. Keegan took forever when we went that route. I think it is much more common for a first delivery to last quite some time. What I would consider though if you end up going and they send you home would be to get a hotel close to the hospital if you are pretty sure you are in labor. That way you'll still be really close. Just another option. Try not to stress too much about it and just do what you think is right for you.

My2Beauties replied: Like I said before, some people had good experiences with being induced some have bad - I had a bad one. I'm telling you I would never ever ever suggest anyone be induced, I had the most horrible horrible time with Aubrey. Hanna I wasn't induced, I went on my own and she was a breeze. I had to be induced with Aubrey because I was at 4cm, they admitted me and I was in active labor but I wouldn't progress because she was face up (dumb docs didn't even realize she was until she came out, they didn't think to do an u/s to see why I couldnt' progress, maybe baby in distress or in the wrong position...sorry ) but anyways it was the most awful experience ever. Honey, that pitocin is some STRONG stuff and it doesn't play. Just food for thought. I was 30 minutes away from my hospital and we made it just fine. You'll be ok, 45 minutes is not that long of a drive really. I seriously seriously doubt you'll go in less than 45 minutes.

indywndy_04 replied: Being that I am a mommy of 4 kids....I think I have had a child every which way you can....I have been induced...that my friend...was the worst. The contractions are a lot stronger because they are controlled by the patosin drip...the more they turn it up, the stronger the contractions get. I would just go into labor on my own unless you HAD to be induced. I wouldnt let the drive scare you, you will be fine. Just leave the house when they become steady...don't wait until the last minute, call your doctor on your way and I bet you will be fine.

Danalana replied: Alright, alright...I get it. I think Cade will come a day or 2 early, anyway. Or not.

DillsMommy replied: I was induced both times and loved every minute of it. Both were very smooth, easy deliveries. However, I don't know that doctors would do it because of the drive and most times insurance won't pay if your induced, even a day early, unless it's nessasary. (atleast thats what i've heard) Thats why with Peyton I was induced one day after my due date.