is this a crazy idea... or do you think i could try it??

[shellshell]

Hi all,

I normally walk to the hospital for all my appointments etc. It takes about 45 minutes (at a late stage pregnancy walking pace). I am really dreading the car trip to the hospital when I go into labour (hoping I will go into labour spontaneously). I really feel like I would like to walk to the hospital while in labour. Is this a nutty idea? Do you think it is too risky? I am younger (25) and very fit (exercise every day). This is my first bub, so obviously I don't know how I will experience labour and labour pains. I think it sounds nuts but I can't help feeling like I would feel much more comfortable walking to the hospital than sitting in a car... (hate cars!!).

Thanks for your input... I don't know if I really would do it, I suppose I just want to be aware if I would be putting my baby in too much risk if I ended up refusing to get in the car while in labour (quite possible, considering how much more I prefer to walk than sit in a car). :-)

[Kitt3n]

i dont think you should be putting any expectations on yourself to walk there - when my mum had me, her waters broke and i popped out 45 mins later, and i was her first bub.

So if you had the kind of labour my mum had it certainly wouldnt be a good idea!!

But then again, when i was in labour (15 hours) it would have been good to walk a bit more - but i think it would be just toooooooooo scarey to walk to the hospital.

I hope it all works out for you!

[{sarah}]

If it's something you do reguarly then I don't see why not. I'd make sure there was someone with you while you are walking though, DH/DP probably, so he can make sure eveything is ok & carry your water bottle & labour bag. Other than that I'd have someone on stand by at home or nearby just in case you decide you need to hop in the car part way there.

The only risk you'd have IMO would be needing to push while you're walking. But if you've got someone that you can call to come get you, I don't see that it's that great a risk really.

[~breeze~]

I personally wouldn't risk it. You never know how fast your labour will be, even if it is your first. You also have to keep in mind that sometimes there are complications (hopefully not in your case but you have to remember it is possible). Alot of people end up needing emergency c/s because the baby is in distress etc. Just something to think about.

I know when I got to the hospital I was allowed to do all the walking I liked so maybe a short trip in the car will mean you'll get to be observed when you arrive & have your walk.

Midwives suggest you walk to bring labour on faster & that worked in my case. I'd hate to think you'd already be in labour so think of how fast it COULD happen when you're walking on top of that.

It is up to you of course, this is just my opinion.

[Jo+3]

If you can do it great. My last pregnancy I could't even walk from the carpark at the hospital to the front door. DH had to RUN and get a wheelchair.

[visitor1]

Id be worried id get to exhausted from the walk...then be to tired when i got to the hospital to deliver (push etc).

But if you could do it then go for it

[Mel09]

I would personally rather savour my energy for the labour and pushing...

[~Raven~]

Walking during labour is wonderful for getting things moving along. If it worked well for you it could mean that your labour is quicker.

The thing that I would be concerned about is if you leave too early and you're there before labour is established then you might find yourself being pressured to speed things along if they admit you ie put on the drip etc...
If you leave it too late then you might risk giving birth on the footpath

If you feel that you'd like to walk then perhaps have someone available on standby to be able to pick you up if you find it is too hard to keep going. I found that walking from the carpark was very hard and I had to stop to breathe through several contractions before we got to the door!

[kristy J]

i would take the car with all you bags in it then walk around the grounds or you may even have time to walk home and back again. you don't know what will happen.

when my waters broke i had to stay in hospital just in case i didn't have enough time to get back. turns out i could have flown to perth and back and still had time to have our DS.

you never know but you may well just need the car....

[Neenee Jellybeanie]

I think it'd be a good idea but 45 mins is such a long time. If the hospital was more like 20 minutes away, it'd be a different story. Like Sarah said, having someone on stand-by to come and drive you if you end up needing it would be a great idea if you decide to do this. Personally, I'd organize a way to walk some of the way and be driven the rest of the way anyway.

[Julie Doula]

Walking while dilating suits me. I walked for hours all the way until I was ready to drop on all fours with my last two labours, and I wish I had with the first. I walked between contractions, then leaned over a fence or something and rocked my hips during the contractions. If you wanted to do this, perhaps you could have someone shadow you in the car, just in case you reach a point that you need the care.

[satya]

I wouldn't do it personally. I couldn't stand having people looking at me and asking if I was OK and wanted a lift to hossy etc. What happens if you need to go to the toilet on the way? It's not like you will have a lot of control over that with all that pressure and pain going on - it would be awful to get caught short in a public place whilst in labour. I also would want to conserve my energy for full on labour. Remember you can go into labour any time, day or night so it would not be very pleasant walking what is normally a 45 minute walk in the daytime in pitch black at a slow pace, stopping here and there to try and manage your pain. Could take a long time to get there. A car seems a much more sensible option.

[Julie Doula]

I was walking over the fields and along a river. Much nicer than on a busy street with 'concerned motorists'. Some women yearn to be outside walking around, near nature during labour, and it works much better for them than trying to be 'active' in a claustrophobic hospital room. Being strong and active helps some women to not feel 'helpless' in labour, it helps them connect to their strength. Other woman have a need to be in a dark, private place, like in their birth pool with the blinds down and no more than candle-light. Sometimes what you want changes during the course of your labour. Your instinct tells you what works for you. My instinct was telling me all along to get outside and get walking. I didn't for the first labour but did for the 2nd and 3rd and it was lovely. Another of my clients felt the same, she walked in the rain beside the Yarra River for hours before she finally got in the car for the hour's drive to the birth centre. She gave birth as soon as she got there.

Shellshell, trust your instinct, darl. Horses for courses! Most women probably lean towards not walking enough in labour than walking too much.