How's this for an idea?

[Heavenly]

I am planning a CNM attended hospital VBA2C in February. I don't have a choice over location. I am over an hour from the hospital which kind of messes up my plan to stay at home as long as possible. So I was thinking that I could book into a hotel within 3 km of the hospital (its in Ottawa so there are more than 5 that close) when I am earlier in labour (ie not so far along that it will be obvious to hotel management!) and stay there until I feel like pushing. There is one hotel that is less than 1 km away from the hospital. I would rent a doppler to be able to check fetal heart tones and let the midwives know I am staying in Ottawa (don't have to tell them its a hotel) and will let them know when we are heading to the hospital. Is this totally crazy?

[Mom2baldie]

I think that checking into a hotel is a really good idea. I've heard of women on the ICAN email lists doing this to be closer to the hospital.

Would you know how to "read" the heart tones when you are in labor? I mean, would you know if there was a problem based on what you were hearing?

When I was planning my 1st VBAC I had an "unassisted" labor up until I began pushing and we headed to the hospital, but I didn't rent a doppler or anything like that. Looking back I am sort of surprised that I didn't worry more about something going wrong during my labor. I just felt like everything would be fine...

[mraven721]

I think it's a good idea. When we were considering a midwife hospital birth I considered the same thing or an even closer drive (30 minutes).

Would it be possible to have a doula or a labor assistant with you (preferable someone with tons of labor assistance)? They are usually excellent about reading the signs for when it would be time to leave for the hospital. I'm only saying this because you would be crushed it you'd labored for a few hours only to get to the hospital and be 3cm, ya know? Just a thought...

[Rach]

If we lived outside the state's guidelines of 30 minutes outside the area of a full service hospital, we couldn't homebirth VBAC. I live within the limits, so I believe I am okay.
My midwife said one way around it if I didn't, would be to shack up in a hotel :)

[Mama Coltrane]

I just had a VBAC Monday and I was unassisted until right near transition and showed up at the hospital birthing center pushing. It was a rush and alittle hurried, but great because there wasn't anything they suggested or tried to do to me ( no monitoring, IV, etc ). I just pushed and 20 minutes or so later he was there. I think a hotel is a great idea because the drive is hard while transitioning or pushing. You don't want to have to drive far.
I had a doula come to my house an hour before we left for the hospital. Do you have a friend or doula that would go to the hotel with you and your DP? That would put you at ease.

[~Megan~]

I am sad for you that this seems to be your only choice. I can't imagine getting in a car and going anywhere when I was about to push.

Is it not possible to have a homebirth?

[Heavenly]

No unfortunately it is not an option. I am in Ontario and midwifery is regulated. I spent months before I even got pregnant searching for a caregiver and no luck finding anyone. I am very lucky to be with these midwives because everyone else turned me down. These midwives are really great but they can't do a homebirth. I don't like the idea of having to drive while feeling pushy but it is less than a kilometre which is basically nothing so hopefully it wouldn't be too big a deal. The idea is to get there already pushing so that they can't push for transfer of care and an IV and all that crap.

[AngelaB]

Hi,
I had a vbac and my dh drove us to a town about an hour away to the hospital in the area that would "allow" me to have a VBAC. Anyways to make a long story shorter!...we went on monday and was dialated to 1-2. went home. We went back on tuesday morning and still 1-2 cm. We went home. Drove back to the town and got a hotel at about 3 am on wed morning, so I could be really close to the hospital when the time really came. I labored in the hotel for about 6 hours until my water broke and I was definately in transition.
A funny side note but In our bradley childbirth class our teacher said that one of the signs of transition was a panicky sort of feeling a bit of hopelessness. I knew I was in transition when I was scheming to get away from DH and take a cab to the hospital and get some drugs! Before transition I was resolute, determined and quite an advocate.
After 35 hours of hard labor I was freaking out, but then I got to the hospital and ripped my clothes off and was strong again!
I rather liked the hotel, it was so much better for me and dh. We both were able to sleep a little. Splurge and get a room with room service and a very big bathtub!
Good luck mamma!