Would you Drive if......

Your waters broke, but no ctx straight away
You were by yourself, ie at home, the shops, driving somewhere...
Previously had a fast progressing labour
Were before 37 weeks.....

Due to having a PPROM with DD, ctx started 45 min later and she was born 45 min after that, it is likely that I will go quicker this time. Last time I was driving when my waters broke, drove 15 min home to where DH was (almost past the hospital :redface:), then once we knew what to do we headed to the hospital, which was a 10min drive from where we were living.

Seeing as we are highly likely haivng another prem, I have always thought that I would be with someone i.e. at home with DH, at work or shopping with somone. But I was thinking today what would I do if I was by myself, would I take a gamble and drive myself there, if it was a short trip ie less than 15min yes if it was longer what would I do....Would you stay or stop where you were and call an ambulance? What gestation would you maybe go, will I am close enough to term I will drive, i.e. bubs is a lot more developed and less likely to need breathing assistance...

What would you do if you were in my position or have you been in my position before?

I would not drive. You never know when that first contraction is going to hit or how bad it will be. Pull over and call an ambulance.

I wouldn't risk it either. I'd either call someone to pick me up, or catch a cab.

I do not think I would risk it either. I would call ambulance or someone to help.
Good luck :hug:

No, I had fast pre term labours too, no way would I drive. Dd1 was breech but i was fully dialated in about 30 min with her but had an emergency csection. Dd2 was born 40 minutes after my waters broke. I would rather be at home waiting for an ambulance than driving and have contractions hit.

I would call the ambo's just to be on the safe side.....

(I'll even give you a police escort lol!!)

If I was driving I'd pull over into a servo or a shop, so there would be someone with me until the ambulance got there.

Definately don't drive!

I only have my Learners but wouldn't drive even if I had my full license. I have ambulance coverage for this kinda thing ;) But yes... i would drive to somewhere where I could contact somebody reliable if need be while I waited for the ambo... probably a doctor's surgery.

how long do ambos take where you live?

probably bad advice, but i would be inclined to drive to the hospital, and get DH to meet me there.

Vic - Please please don't drive!! N came so quickly, anything could happen. Just call an ambulance, they really won't take any time at all it is so much safer than driving.
Promise me you won't!

Id call an ambulance I wouldnt trust myself to drive in case contractions started and I crashed. I could potentially hurt or even kill someone so Id rather be a worry wort and call 000

Hmm.... sensibility and logic tell me to pull over there and then and call the ambos.... however, knowing me, I would follow my gut instinct at the time. So that really isn't an answer for you!! But it is the truth!!

But just for the record, I don't want you driving ok? I want you to pull over, call the ambos, DH and your Ob and get down on your hands and knees with your bum in the air and wait for that ambulance!

I wouldnt drive, do you have neighbours who would drive you if the situation did arise? I dont know some of my neighbours very well but I do know that if a pregnant woman in labour came knocking on my door needing a lift to hossy I would take her. :hug:

I would drive. You can always pull over if your cx start. If they were like when mine started, they were not really that bad, so I could have easily driven through one if I needed to get off a busy road. Locate where your hazard lights button is (sounds silly, but you probably haven't used them before) and then put them on as soon as you pull over, then call 000. GL!! I'm sure your DH will be with you and if he's not, I am sure you will make it to the hospital before they start, cause you will probably be anxious and this MAY prevent them???

Nope.
I havent had an bub come early, but I have had to drive while having 4 contx in ten minutes and its bleeping scary stuff.
I went from pre labour, maybe this is it, to established labout in 45mins at my aqua class and had to drive myself 15 minutes home, and Id never wish it on or recommend it to someone.

Nope. No way would I be driving!! I've got ambulance cover for starters, but if I was out and about, there are that many nice people around that someone would help too. Babies bring the best out in people. If I had a bad contraction and had an accident with someone else, I'd never forgive myself.

Corelly x

I would drive if there were no contractions, but given your history of fast labours the only place I would drive would be to the hospital and I would stop if I got any contractions.

Thankyou everyone for you honest responses, I will definitely take on board everyone comments and the choices your would make :hug:. It is a difficult question really and I was completely fine driving when my waters broke with DD, but I would not have been able to drive when the contractions started.

So leesa once I have called my OB and DH you'll be next for my escort ;)

The Boss bought new tyres for his Kluger Monday, as he would be the one if I was at work because he has leather seats :rofl:

Hopefully should it happen again, that I will be with someone already and it won't be an issue, or I will already be at the hospital ;) I do have ambulance cover, something I would not go without and if need be will use it.

Pandora ~ From when my waters broke to the first contraction it was 45 minutes-ish and I had no pain, not even a niggle or a twinge, they they started at 5min appart and very quickly 3min, so I went straight into established labour, and was 7-8cm by the time we got to hospital, so definitely not a lot of time to work with, and my OB is pretty sure this time it will be quicker :o

So do I have to raise my right hand and promise to call and ambulance then ;)

Thanks everyone!
xxoo

I'd call a friend, then call an ambo. If you are alone, call someone close by so they can be with you now, then call the ambo's. If you call 000 you need to stay on the phone with then til the ambo's get there, so you can't ring anyone else. Not sure if its the same with the 13 number, but I assume it would be??
I called 000 when DS was choking just before chrissy & it took over half hour for them to get here. We're only 10 - 15 minutes drive from the hossy. So someone for backup would be handy. If you get worried, jump in the car with them & go. If baby comes too fast for both, there is someone there to take over on the phone, or just hold your hand if need be.
I did drive during 2 contractions with DD2. They weren't too bad, but my unlicensed DH refused to let me drive home. I am glad he did, but I was worried. He also drove me up to hossy later that night. No way I could've done it then.