Precipitous Labor
QUESTION
Dear Midwife,
I've had fast labor before 2 1/2 hours from when I woke up barely cramping to the three pushes till he was born.
I live over an hour from the hospital and afraid I wont make it. What can be done to make sure I make it in time.
ANSWER
It sounds like if you left for the hospital immediately, you would be there with an hour and a half to spare if this pregnancy goes like your last one. But since you can't count on that (either way, it may be a longer or shorter labor), you should mention your concern to your midwife or doctor and see what they suggest.
-- Cynthia, CNM. PhD.
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Cynthia Flynn
Cynthia Flynn, CNM. PhD, teaches in the College of Nursing at Seattle University and is President of the American Association of Birth Centers. She also practices midwifery at Valley Medical Center where she cares for pregnant and birthing women, and practices well-woman gynecology, family planning, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
Cynthia founded Columbia Women's Clinic and Birth Center, where she took care of pregnant women and infants up to two weeks of age and attended both birth center and hospital births. Before Cynthia earned her CNM, she worked as a registered nurse in labor and delivery and postpartum and is a certified Doula and Doula trainer.
Cynthia hosts a monthly "Ask the midwife" chat as well as answers questions via our expert section.
Listen to Cynthia live on Pregnancy.org Live: Before, During and After.
