Traveling to the hospital when labor begins is often a moment of urgent excitement mixed with anxiety for expectant parents. This transition from home to the delivery room requires careful planning, as the safety of both the pregnant person and the baby is paramount during the journey. Understanding the safest and most efficient way to travel is a practical necessity that all parents-to-be should address well before contractions start. This article provides essential guidance on navigating the trip, clarifying the risks of self-driving and offering practical advice for the designated driver or alternative transportation options.
The Safety Risks of Driving Yourself
Medical and safety experts strongly advise against a person in labor driving themselves to the hospital. Contractions are involuntary muscle spasms with unpredictable timing and intensity, making it difficult to maintain full focus and control over a vehicle. A surge of pain during a contraction can cause a momentary loss of concentration, which is sufficient to cause a serious accident. This physical discomfort significantly impairs reaction time, turning the drive into a dangerous situation for everyone involved.
Even in the early stages of labor, the situation can escalate rapidly and unexpectedly. The pain from uterine contractions can quickly intensify, making it impossible to safely operate a car, especially if the waters break or labor progresses faster than anticipated. Driving while experiencing labor is considered a form of distracted driving, risking the mother, baby, and other drivers. Medical professionals universally recommend that the person in labor should always be a passenger, allowing them to focus entirely on coping with the physical process.
Advice for the Person Driving the Car
The designated driver assumes the responsibility of ensuring a safe and calm journey to the hospital. To reduce stress and potential delays, the driver should practice the route multiple times before the due date. This practice should include mapping out a primary route and two alternative routes (A, B, and C) to account for unexpected traffic or road closures. Additionally, keep the car’s fuel tank close to full in the weeks leading up to the due date to prevent a stressful stop mid-labor.
The driver must maintain a deliberate and steady pace, resisting the urge to speed or drive recklessly. Rushing rarely saves significant time and drastically increases the risk of an accident. Equipping the car with comfort and practical items is essential. These items should include a large towel or absorbent pad for the passenger seat in case the waters break, and a pillow for physical comfort. The driver’s most important task is to remain visibly calm, as their composure helps the person in labor feel secure and protected.
When to Use Alternative Transportation
There are specific situations where traveling in a private vehicle is inadvisable, and an ambulance should be called instead. Calling emergency medical services (EMS) is the safest choice if labor is progressing very quickly, or if the pregnant person feels an overwhelming urge to push. Severe complications also warrant an immediate call to 911 or the local emergency number.
- Heavy vaginal bleeding, defined as soaking through a pad every hour for two or more hours.
- Seeing or feeling the umbilical cord coming out of the vagina (prolapsed cord), which is a life-threatening emergency for the baby.
An ambulance provides medical personnel trained to manage labor and delivery, which a private driver cannot offer. EMS staff can communicate directly with the hospital upon arrival. Furthermore, emergency vehicles are granted traffic priority, allowing them to bypass congestion that would delay a private car. Though the cost of an ambulance is a concern, attempting to drive in a genuine emergency can result in significant and avoidable health risks, making emergency service the appropriate and safest option.