Copy of 5 Tips: Getting to Your Planned Place of Birth Without a Hitch

Easing anxiety over the dreaded "car ride" to the hospital or birth center.

Time and time again, pregnant people confide in me that they dread the car ride to the hospital or birth center. Similarly, families often cite avoidance of "the car ride" as a factor helping them choose a planned birth at home. Rural families often face journeys over one hour in length, through windy and poorly paved roads, to reach their place of birth. Those in urban settings worry going into labor during "rush hour" and potentially facing grueling traffic to reach their place of birth. Although medical professionals often don't give this aspect of the labor experience much attention, doulas know that "the car ride" is stressful for expecting parents... and can make suggestions to navigate this hurdle! I'm here to tell you that the car ride need not be the focus of your anxiety; you can incorporate these 5 tips to alleviate your concerns about your ride to the hospital or birth center.

1. Get to Know the Beast

Although this may seem obvious, it's really important to get to know where you are going and how you will get there. It is very helpful for the planned driver (not just the pregnant person) to physically make the drive to the hospital or birth center BEFORE driving there under the pressure of laboring passenger! Doing this drive will allow you to understand a reasonable time frame for getting there and allow you to pick the least stressful route (for rural families- picking a slightly longer route may allow you to avoid bumps or curves in the road that will make a big difference for the laboring person and may make a safer route for a stressed driver). If birthing at a hospital, it is crucial that the driver attend the hospital tour to ensure they understand which entrance to use, familiarize themselves with the parking options, and understand the arrival procedures (some hospitals provide vallet parking for expecting families, others will require that the driver re-park after getting the laboring person settled). Also, it is good to keep an eye out for resources that are close to the birthing place, such as coffee shops, cafes, and grocery stores that may come in very handy during the birth when a family member asks what they can bring to aid a weary birth partner!

2. Trick Your Ride

The car needs to be good to go (literally) by week 36. This means that the car should never have less than a half tank of gas (EVER) after week 36. Your baby's car sear should be properly adjusted and installed. Your car should be free of clutter, vacuumed, and clean, so that you feel good about being in this space while laboring and bringing your baby home. You should have your birth contact list and a hospital map (if appropriate) in the car in a location known to the driver and the birthing person. The contact list should include critical information such as the birthing place address and phone numbers, medical provider numbers, family/friend contacts, and numbers for your petsitter and/or babysitter(s). Some families even keep their "birth bag" in the car after this point.

3. Prepare for Laboring in the Car

Coping with labor's intensity is all about the little things that allow you to feel supported and that take the edge off. A cozy blanket and a favorite beverage are critical. If you are preparing for a particularly long ride, due to distance from the hospital or the possibility for traffic, consider what may help you cope for the journey. A playlist of encouraging and soothing music often provides relief and comfort for the ride. I encourage you to try guided meditation apps or hyponobirthing techniques, as plugging in earbuds and listen to grounding meditations/hypnosis tracks can be supportive (requires practice ahead of time to gain the greatest benefit) and allow the driver to remain focused. Some families find that using an essential oil diffuser in their car to dispense calming oils such as lavender and frankincense can be really helpful in taking the nervous edge down during the drive. Heating packs can be a labor-friendly addition to the car ride and many mothers find that placing them on their lower back or abdomen can provide some relief. Lastly a "donut" pillow can provide relief if mom feels an unpleasant full sensation in her bottom while seated (and may be a welcome amenity to keep close for after the birth as well).

4. Know When To Leave

Knowing when to leave is critical to easing "ride anxiety," as many fear repercussions of "leaving too early" and worry about birthing in the car if they leave "too late." I would encourage you to understand when your provider would like you to leave in no uncertain terms and ask questions! Usually, the provider will let you know how far apart the contractions should be and how long in duration they should be before you need to head in. Be clear with your provider about how long your journey will take and ask if this has been factored in to their directions, also ask who you should call if you have questions about when to leave. Download a contraction timer app and pay for it up front (some are free for a certain number of contractions then end up charging you while you are in labor!). Contraction timers to help you visualize your labor pattern as it develops and are easy to use. It is also nice because you can easily email or text this data to your provider if you are unsure about labor progress and leaving. Attending childbirth education classes ahead of time is a great way for the support person and pregnant person to become familiar with how to time contractions and be confident in deciding when to leave for the hospital.

5. Remind Yourself to Remember the Essentials

For people traveling long distances, forgetting something could create a real inconvenience to the tune of a 2 to 3 hour round-trip adventure! Leave a note on the door or other place that you will see it reminding the support person to check off important items to grab or handle before leaving. Be sure to grab your water bottle, keys, phone, wallet, ID, shoes, clothing for mom, and birth bag! Be sure that you have turned off the stove and oven, left a key for the pet sitter, locked the windows, etc...

Hopefully these tips helped ease your mind regarding "the drive." What lessened the burden of birth drive anxiety for you? Leave me a comment- I'd love to hear from you.