Hospital 2 hours away, major hospital 4.5hrs away. what if the baby comes very early?

[Jen27]

Hi
after experiencing some period type pains early this morning (I have written about it in the 2nd tri forum) Its made me wonder what to do if the baby was to come very early. I am currently 26 weeks pregnant. I live 2 hours away from the hospital, Albany regional hospital (we live in the country on a farm). It says on the website it has a Level Ia neonatal unit and that they cover low to medium risk births. So if I was to come into labour very early would it be better to drive to perth 4.5 hours away!? or Albany? 2 hours away (the hospital we are booked into). Would the baby have a good enough chance of survival if born at the albany hospital? would they have the facilities? or would I get transfered to Perth whilst still in labour??? (therefore would it be better to go straight to Perth if I thought it was true labour). What would happen in this kind of situation?

I'm a first-timer, I probably have nothing to worry about, this mornings period type pains where probably just braxton hicks, but it did make me wonder what would happen if I had a prem baby.

any advice welcome thank you

[[M]umma[M]ia]

i would think u would ring 000, see what they say.. mayb there would be a chance they can get to you quicker?? air lift u to hospy? mayb have a chat to your caretaker and see what they say.

[Jen27]

Thanks Mummamia yes I think the best thing would be to call. I'm not used to this country living so don't know how it works

[Rommy'sMummy]

Are you still having pains now or is your qu more about "what if" than "what to do NOW"??

We live 1.5 hours from the big hospt that my DS needed to be born in due to congeniatal heart diseases. Found that out at 20 weeks. Then at 24 weeks labor started. I rang our big hopst to be advised to go to the nearest hospt with a NICU which was only 50 min away. Went there and was told I was in labor and to head up to the bigger hospt. They stopped my labor and bubs came at 36 weeks.

Best thing to do is call the big hospt and ask for advice - NOW if you are still having pains/tightenings/discharge etc.

If you are ok tonight and things have settled down, call your care provider in the morning and disscus the emerg plan for if things dont go as you want them. Then you will know exactly what to do if it happens. I have an agreed plan with my OB for this bub as I might go early labor again and I have had painful tightenings this week. I feel far more relaxed just knowing there is a plan.

Just remember; you can be transferred while in labor (I was and my contrax were one minute apart - ouch!) and; they can often stop labor and keep you on drugs to hold it off. I was on drugs from 24 wks until I delivered at 36 wks!

Good luck!

[Early Kids]

If it were me I'd go to Albany, they will be able to adminster steroids and they will also be equiped should you birth there. They will be able to stabalise your baby and then transfer you to KEMH

Premature birth can often happen very quickly, you do not want to be giving birth by yourselves on the side of the road.

Forgot to add, I got transferred twice in labour with Tristan. Once at 26 weeks and then again at 34+2.
I went to Northam hospital for both times, they dont have an SCN or anything, they can only handle single births from a trouble free pregnancy. They gave me the steroids and started the meds to stop labour. They also had all the equipment necessary for a premature birth.

[Tess]

Hi
I am hoping you are doing okay and the pains have gone away or at least eased - I would recommend you get to the nearest hospital if you feel labour has started.

My DS was born at 24wks and I went to my nearest hospital and they transferred me to a different hospital that is more equipped for neo-natal care.

Anyway hoping it is all a false alarm - braxton-hicks are common in the third trimester. But if you have any bleeding or excess fluid discharge get onto 000 immediately.

Good luck honey, Tess.

[Jen27]

Thanks everyone, My pains went away and even though I have experienced period-like pains since, they havent been regular, and just lasting for a very short time. I am nearly 32 weeks now