Yup, it’s time.  Labour has been building at home, and it’s finally time to make your way to your place of birth – be it hospital or birth centre.

But both you and your birth  partner are wondering how you will ever make it there. Climbing into a car seems like about the last thing you can do right now. And your partner is  stressed about getting you all there safely. Here are some doula tips to make your journey a little easier.

2 Worries That Are Probably NOT Going to Happen

• Odds are you are probably NOT facing rush hour traffic. Labour hormones are more likely to happen at nighttime. You may very well have the city streets mostly to your own vehicle!
• Baby is unlikely to arrive while you’re in the car. If anything, contractions may slow down during this journey, because labour hormones also depend on a sense of safety and security. In general, we need to feel safe and settled for babies to come. And that’s not usually on the expressway.

Prep Before The Big Day

Here are key steps to prepare yourself and your vehicle ahead of time.

• Put your hospital into your favourites on your map app.
• Find out about after hours entrance to the hospital or birth center. Remember – you will probably be arriving in the middle of the night. The main entrance of the hospital will likely not be open, meaning you have to go to a rear entrance or through the ER.
• Practice your route – a few times even – before hand. Including finding parking, entering the building and going all the way up to the Labour & Delivery unit’s triage.
• Put towels, a pillow and some XL Ziploc bags in the car.
• Keep your car gassed up at all times! You won’t want to have to make a pit stop at the gas station when it’s time.

When You’re in Labour

• Take as much time as you need to get out of the house, and into the car. Pause during contractions.
• Put a towel down in case your waters break en route (or if they already have, ’cause there’s gonna be more).
• Find whatever way you can be most comfortable, whether it’s the passenger seat or back seat. Leaning back doesn’t usually feel great. Leaning forward forward over that pillow will probably work better. Other options are hands and knees in the back seat, or reclining the passenger seat all the way and putting feet on the dash.
• I’m not telling you to ride without a seatbelt – but if you do choose that, buckle the seatbelt so that your car doesn’t annoyingly remind you to every 15 seconds.
• Have those XL Ziploc bags handy in case of nausea and vomiting.
• Open the windows – the fresh air can be your biggest ally! It can really help with nausea too. Or, crank the A/C.
• Using a labour comb or TENS machine can be a good distraction.
• Pop on your biggest headphones – the bigger the better – to block outside distractions and help you stay in your labour land bubble. Channel your soothing labour playlist, favourite breathing meditation or affirmations.
• Let your voice rip! Moan or scream any old way you need to. If you don’t have freedom of movement, allowing complete freedom of your voice can give that tension somewhere else to go.

Above all, remember that this is just one leg of your journey to meeting your baby, and it won’t last forever!

For the driver

• Don’t rush her. She will probably want to pause many times, during contractions. Help her get into the car between contractions.
• You pack up the car while she’s still labouring inside your home.
• Do your best to stay calm and focused. No running red lights!
• Give as SMOOTH a ride as possible – no sudden braking or accelerations. Every bump and pothole are agony when you are in labour!

When you get there

• When you arrive to the hospital or birth centre, put your hazzard lights on and just help her get in the front doors of the building safely. Then go park. This way, she is with people – usually medical or security personnel – who are in a position to help if anything emergent happens while you are off parking.
• Grab a wheelchair to get from the front doors to the L&D unit if she wants it.
• Hog the elevator all to yourselves.  “Sorry, we’re in labour – can you please take the next one? Thanks!” People will be only too happy to accommodate your needs.

Once you are inside and get settled into your birthing room, you will be amazed that you’ve accomplished what seemed like an impossible journey!