This episode came from a listener question – what do I do if my birth place is far? In this episode I go over things to consider and when to leave for the hospital if you are 30 minutes, an hour or more than an hour away.

Episode Summary

When should I leave for the hospital?

Planning when to leave for the hospital or birth center is one of the most common questions I get asked about and one that causes moms a great deal of stress. You know you should stay home and labor as long as possible. However, you also don’t want to have your baby on the side of the road. Not to mention laboring in the car can be super uncomfortable and to do that for more than an hour is kind of a lot to ask for a mom in active labor. 

Here are some things to consider when deciding when to leave for the hospital:

If you are 0 to 30 minutes away, this is nothing to stress about. Stay home as long as possible, let active labor happen at home and leave sometime during transition

If you are 30 to 60 minutes away, it’s still doable to labor at home as long as possible. Consider leaving during active labor and think about how you can make your car more comfortable.

If you are more than an hour away, this is a little more tricky. It may be a good idea to find some place to stay and labor at closer to your birth place.

Mentioned on the show

Unmedicated Academy – enrolling now!

Episode 34: Finding Your Unicorn OB & question list

Episode 21: Why You Might Want To Fire Your OB

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