Wow, a lot of this thread is muddled up with repliers arguging with each other - this is NOT helpful for people who actually are interested in the answers to Fruit Tingles questions. I think some members need to chill out, apparent from her posts Fruit Tingles is a big girl capable of taking care of herself and doesn't need others "sticking up for her" - I know this is a bit of a rant but believe me, if you read through this thread you would be annoyed having to read petty arguing posts in between the 'answering the question' posts.

So what I actually wanted to say was, I am in a very similar situation to you FT, I am 500km from a major city and 100km from a major hospital. I have had 2 cs and a vba2c, I cannot fathom driving 100km in labour, also possibly with 3 kids at any time of day or night. I want this one's big sisters and brother to be there when he/she arrives, not an hour away. So far a mw for a hb is not an option and I so wanted that, now I am considering my lay birth assistant options, no go so far.

I have let dh know I am not happy, he thinks a 1 hr drive will be fine (he forgets all the cursing from the last drive, which was still a 40 min peak hr traffic drive in the city WITH a doula holding my hips all the way there! And NO kids) I do know a lady who had an unplanned hb and dh was the one who kept it all okay. I just don't think I could get my head around dh being the one 'in charge'???

Given the long drive option we have a baby kit, bulb suction, clamps, sharp scissors and fresh linen etc, also some large garbage bags and a comfy blanket to line the back of the 4wd where I will be on hands and knees if this damn drive is the only option left.

The just in case kit and car protection are the only items we have so far, in terms of baby knowledge dh knows noiught and I am a nurse although I will need to brush up on the new baby side of things.

I would recommend watching births where interventions were needed for sticky shoulders, cords around neck etc. You can't get dh to be a mw overnight but being aware and mentally prepared would have to be better than nothing right?

I can't think of anything else we've talked about yet, I still have ages to go, I do hope things go smoothly for you and I look forward to reading your birth story!

Good luck
Sarah