How far are you traveling for prenatals/birth? - Page 2 « Back to Group Discussions

[Tenk]

Ah ok, that's something I can't do.  My uterus ruptured with our son who is now 4, at the top, and I had had no previous abdominal surgeries.  I ended up with a semi urgent c-section and was told my uterus is too fragile for contractions.  So when our 2 y/o was born at 33w5d I went in because I was contracting and they admitted me to the hospital to monitor the contractions.  I stopped contracting with shots of turb, steroids to mature lungs were given and 4 days after being admitted an emergency c-section was done for her safety.  I am not even a candidate for vaginal birth, unfortunately :(

This is why I just dumped my last perinatologist, I only saw the Dr at my 4th visit and saw the ultrasound tech 2/4 times (no one else) and a PA once.  I NEED to see the high risk OB to have the appropriate plan in mind at all times.  This baby WILL without a doubt be born by c-section around 36 weeks and I will be give the steroid shots to mature it lungs at 33w-34w.  While I have all the beliefs of AP parenting and am kinda crunchy, this is one aspect of it I cannot practice to protect my safety and the safety of our baby :(
 

[lolliegee]

I would definitely say you're in the category of one of the rare women that really needs a c-section. I'm sure you'll be getting no judgment here. (Not that we ever should judge another, but we're human, so we do sometimes.) I hope your new specialist is awesome!

[DanceGina]

I drive 2 hours across Vermont to New Hampshire, but only because we moved to the western edge of Vermont and I wanted to keep the same midwives I had with my first baby.  Also I work once a week in New Hampshire near the midwifery practice so  I just schedule carefully.  

[cynthiamoon]

SO LUCKY to live within 20mins of a kick-ass birthing center in Englewood. I live in Denver. 

[SunnyMuffin]

I travelled 45 min to see my midwife last time.  This time I was unable to get a midwife, even though I was willing to travel to offices 1.5 hours away.  A lot of them are taking holidays in August and wont take me and its really dumb.

Anyways, I'm going with a family doctor who is 5 min from my house.  I'm planning a homebirth with my husband and doula but the hospital is only 5 min away if I want it

[SunnyMuffin]

Well I found a midwife 1.5 hrs away who will take me on.  The only thing is I have to go to her for delivery because shes not sure she would make it here in time.

She says other people have stayed with family/friends, done a short term rental, or even gotten a hotel so I'll figure something out in time for July.   On the plus side we are moving in a few months and will be about 20 minutes closer 

[dayiscoming2006]

Originally Posted by SunnyMuffin 

Well I found a midwife 1.5 hrs away who will take me on.  The only thing is I have to go to her for delivery because shes not sure she would make it here in time.

She says other people have stayed with family/friends, done a short term rental, or even gotten a hotel so I'll figure something out in time for July.   On the plus side we are moving in a few months and will be about 20 minutes closer 

That sounds pretty good. I think it's a bit weird she wouldn't make the trip to your home once you've moved a bit closer. Just over an hour isn't terrible, but oh well. At least you got something worked out. 

[SunnyMuffin]

I haven't mentioned that we're moving yet but I will at my first appt and hopefully that changes things

[Eilis]

The provider I have chosen is just over one hour from me each way, assuming no traffic. This is relatively far for my region, but I really like the provider. It's a tough choice, because my second-option provider (a standard OB-GYN practice with midwives and doctors) would see me in the town where I work. It would take 5 minutes to get to the appointments vs. 1 hour and 5 minutes! However, I like the far-away provider so much better (a much more holistic and natural childbirth oriented midwife practice) that I think the travel time can't be a deciding factor. The hospital where I would deliver is also an hour from our house. I'm told that first-time mamas have long labors so I don't need to worry about this issue either. For those who have had contractions in the car, how bad is it? What are some coping strategies to plan ahead for, for "car labor"?
 

[CountryMommy]

Some of you guys have to travel a good distance for prenatal care! I am sure its worth it to be taken care of by someone you feel comfortable with and trust!

Just wondering how often you make the trip to go see your care provider when you have a good distance drive there and back each trip? I see my OB monthly until around 30 weeks, then its every two weeks until the last month before due date when its every week.

[cinderella08]

We finally have narrowed it down to two practices - both very very very VBAC and natural birth supportive - only catch is both are about 125 miles away - one way!  So we have alot of driving to do....

[cynthiamoon]

SunnyMuffin: so does this mean you are giving birth in her home? That's a new one for me... Also, I've heard of people doing hotels etc. to stay near their providers but I've always had a hard time understanding how that might work with work and expenses, especially considering there's a 3-4 week window of likely birth days. I'd love to know about your experience with this choice in the future, just to understand it better! 

[SunnyMuffin]

Originally Posted by cynthiamoon 

SunnyMuffin: so does this mean you are giving birth in her home? That's a new one for me... Also, I've heard of people doing hotels etc. to stay near their providers but I've always had a hard time understanding how that might work with work and expenses, especially considering there's a 3-4 week window of likely birth days. I'd love to know about your experience with this choice in the future, just to understand it better! 

She didnt give me that option actually.  She wanted me to stay with friends/family (dont have any in the area) or rent a suite or a hotel, all of which I didnt really like the sounds of.  I did get a call from another midwife practice that I got waitlisted for and they gave me a spot and will travel to me for a homebirth.  I still have to drive 1.5 hrs for appointments but what can you do 

[Monkey pants]

My midwife comes to me!!!! Sweet!! The hospital if I end up there is 5 min away with CNM. I'm very Lucky to have wonderful options here in OKC.

[happyhomestead]

I live in the middle of nowhere, but amazingly found a mw 30 to 45 minutes away drowning on traffic. I go to her for my apts and she'll come to my house for the birth. If I need to tx to a hospital, the closest is about 35 min away. It's not a great hospital but I'm sure they could get the job done in an emergency! Compared to some of you mommas, I hardly have to travel at all!