https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 01:08:13 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-trip-at-37-weeks-prep-question#post-2911412 Mon, 09 Mar 2020 15:32:43 +0000 Becky 2911412@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I just spoke with my midwife because if she was going to say no, it would be easier on the work end to know that now. She wasn’t concerned and just agreed that I would want to know the hospitals along the way and to have my medical records. So as long as I’m feeling ok I’m going to plan on going. It’s being held at this really nice place and it’s a very nice time of year there and the whole experience has been enjoyable for people who have gone in the past so I’m looking forward to it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-trip-at-37-weeks-prep-question#post-2911367 Sun, 08 Mar 2020 21:22:54 +0000 Pollywog 2911367@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: so I had to work today and I asked my boss what the big deal was about me getting stuck in Chicago when very pregnant. She said that there's a whole bunch of complicated paperwork that results if you deliver while in travel status. There's a bunch of ambiguity about who pays for your hotel at lodging for the 5-6 days you are out of the hospital before you're cleared to fly) drive long distances and you can't go on maternity leave while on travel status (but can't work because your caring for a newborn). Hence why her boss out an absolute veto on me traveling that far along.</p> <p>To me it seems like a totally solvable problem, but I didn't realize how much of a ban there was until this time. I only mention it because your company may have something similar if they know your due date (mine did due to being on work from home restrictions) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-trip-at-37-weeks-prep-question#post-2911330 Sat, 07 Mar 2020 22:19:46 +0000 jhd 2911330@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As someone who has delivered away from home (planned, due to medical issues) it is really not fun to be away from your home, your older kids, and have to travel several hours in the car with a newborn. I wouldn’t risk it. </p> <p>I traveled six hours in the car while pregnant with my second and I had tons of contractions the next day. It’s super hard to move enough and stay hydrated. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-trip-at-37-weeks-prep-question#post-2911323 Sat, 07 Mar 2020 18:45:19 +0000 Becky 2911323@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really appreciate everyone’s concern/insight. </p> <p>Again, I’m very familiar with the route I’d be traveling. There are lots of hospitals along the way, and there is one patch that is rural to the extent that you’re not around a house (30 minutes).</p> <p>My parents would come down wherever it was. We have lots of family here so my girls would stay with their other grandparents. If I delivered at my destination, my sister would be about 1.5 hours away by car or train so she could come be with my until my parents got there. My husband is away for a work trip at the same time anyway so even if I had the baby at home he wouldn’t be available. </p> <p>Valid point about not wanting to be in a car for 6 hours postpartum. Staying in a hotel doesn’t sound really great either. I’ll have to think about that one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-trip-at-37-weeks-prep-question#post-2911320 Sat, 07 Mar 2020 17:46:46 +0000 misolee 2911320@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just some other things to consider.., let's say you do give birth 6 hours away and are in the hospital for couple of days. Can your husband come? What about your current kids? Would you go to a relative's house after discharge? Would you drive straight home? My third delivery wasn't hard but there is no way in hell that I could sit for six hours postpartum in car with a newborn. Also, with my third, I just wanted to be home ASAP. My third was also jaundiced so the day after discharge, we had to go to our pediatrician for further testing. She ended up having to do blue light therapy which also meant going to the pediatrician's office daily for a week to get the levels tested. Even the 10 minute drive was painful for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-trip-at-37-weeks-prep-question#post-2911299 Sat, 07 Mar 2020 08:38:22 +0000 Pollywog 2911299@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was supposed to travel at 36+5 to a major city about a 2 hour flight from my house. My midwife told me to check which hospitals near my office have decent NICUs and to bring their emergency number. My first birth was precipitous and required a NICU consult, which was the concern.</p> <p>There was a snowstorm that came in that threatened my flight getting cancelled and me having to be there until 37 weeks. My midwife raised concerns because it would be bad if I went into labor on the plane. My work refused to let me go because the amount of paperwork required if I gave birth in Illinois was just not the benefit of going. </p> <p>Honestly, I was really bummed, but given a history of precipitous labor I would be hesitant to drive more than an hour away. I was put on a 30 minute radius at 37 weeks (which meant I was pulled out of work). While my first baby came in 3 hours and 20 minutes from the first sign of labor (and about 2 hours from active labor), my second was much faster--an hour from timeable contractions to delivery. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-trip-at-37-weeks-prep-question#post-2911292 Sat, 07 Mar 2020 01:08:54 +0000 theotherstark 2911292@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh man. I had a fairly precipitous labor with my second, and there is no way in hell I would do a trip that late. The stay away itself is not what would deter me, so much as the six hour drive. Will you be doing it alone? What happens if you go into labor on the drive, and you are in a rural area? I personally wouldn’t risk it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-trip-at-37-weeks-prep-question#post-2911279 Fri, 06 Mar 2020 19:14:24 +0000 Becky 2911279@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven’t brought it up with my providers yet. The thing that makes me okay with it is the fact that my mom was a nurse in the hospital I would most likely go to for 37 years. My sister was a unit clerk in OB there for a year, and I was a clerk in other departments during college breaks and for a year after college. My dad also worked there as a nurse and nursing instructor for 35 years. I have an uncle who works there as does his wife who I believe was actually a nurse at my birth. There are a handful of employees left who I know from working with my mom. </p> <p>I’m not super concerned about the drive. I have done it dozens of times (it’s the same route I would take for college, and then for a year after college). I know all the places to stop and walk along the way. If I’m really tired I can also split the trip up and stay in a hotel halfway through. </p> <p>My work wouldn’t expect me to without me being ok with it, and will be ok with it if I make a last minute decision not to go. If it was basically any other event I wouldn’t go but I really, really want to be there!</p> <p>Another thing making me ok with it is my previous 2 very straightforward labors. My second labor was very precipitous (water broke at 8:30 after I went to the hospital with super irregular and manageable contractions, active labor began at 8:52, transition began at 9, she was born at 9:54) but it was also very smooth (DD1 was a smooth induction).</p> <p>ETA it’s not out of state. My insurance is also accepted statewide. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-trip-at-37-weeks-prep-question#post-2911277 Fri, 06 Mar 2020 18:26:28 +0000 LemonJack 2911277@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shabang: Mine said the same thing about staying close.</p> <p>OP, i wouldn’t go. I think it’s too risky. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-trip-at-37-weeks-prep-question#post-2911271 Fri, 06 Mar 2020 16:20:02 +0000 misolee 2911271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Personally I wouldn’t go. Are you driving? That’s a long time to drive there and back. I can’t believe your work would allow you to travel that late.</p> <p> I have three kids. Two were born past 41 weeks and I had to be induced. One came exactly at 37 weeks. I even went for a doctors checkup that morning and she told me I was only 1cm dilated and it wouldn’t be for awhile. I started having contractions at 2am, got to hospital at 3am, and had baby by 5. It was super fast and even though I was pre registered, they haven’t processed anything yet so there was all these unnecessary questions and check in procedure hold up during which the baby transitioned and it was too late for epidural. I had also taken by step b test that morning and it came out okay but they didn’t have any paperwork so they gave it to me anyway to be on safe side. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-trip-at-37-weeks-prep-question#post-2911265 Fri, 06 Mar 2020 14:55:41 +0000 PurplePeony 2911265@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn’t go. 37 weeks is technically full-term, and I wouldn’t assume this baby will come on the same schedule as the last. Personally, I had an OB appointment at 37+3 with no indicia of labor, then my water broke that evening and DD was born 6 hours later. I just don’t think it’s a good idea to gamble on a later delivery, but it sounds like you’d be okay with it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-trip-at-37-weeks-prep-question#post-2911254 Fri, 06 Mar 2020 13:18:37 +0000 shabang 2911254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>All my OBs advised strongly against travel greater than 1hr after 36 weeks, so I would ask your OB this question. Mine brought up extreme tiredness and risk of blood clots as reasons beyond just being away from their office/local hospital. It's surprising your work would want to take on the added risk. Also, I always had to preregister at the hospital for delivery, so if that wouldn't be done, there may be extra steps/documentation required for checking in if you went into labor. </p> <p>If 6 hours takes you out of state, you may want to understand any local laws that relate to pregnancy. In IL, for instance, it was (may still be) law to check for HIV in the 1st trimester AND the 3rd, otherwise without the second test results, my OB said there was a risk the baby wouldn't be handed to the mom until she passed the HIV test after birth. Crazy stuff. </p> <p>Also, you'd probably want to be familiar with labor/delivery guidelines at those hospitals, if you weren't already. I've recently learned that after an emergency C-section, policies can differ as to whether the mom sees the baby right away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-trip-at-37-weeks-prep-question#post-2911244 Fri, 06 Mar 2020 10:44:01 +0000 Mama Bird 2911244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kiddosc: yes! My OB told me to make sure I have my Group B Strep result in an envelope in my hospital bag. I think my blood test data was transmitted directly from the doctor, which may not be the case if you deliver in a different hospital so you'd want to have it with you. For some reason, the hospital re-ran my blood type lab work every time I've been there, even though it really shouldn't change between visits... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-trip-at-37-weeks-prep-question#post-2911242 Fri, 06 Mar 2020 10:39:47 +0000 Becky 2911242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kiddosc: great advice, thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-trip-at-37-weeks-prep-question#post-2911232 Fri, 06 Mar 2020 10:07:18 +0000 kiddosc 2911232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Get a copy of your prenatal care records from your OB to take with you as well. If they don't have a record, they're likely to run all sorts of tests, or automatically treat you as high risk. I had to do this when I traveled at like 32 weeks and it was basically just a few pages I carried with me in an envelope. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-trip-at-37-weeks-prep-question#post-2911230 Fri, 06 Mar 2020 09:42:29 +0000 HappyBaker 2911230@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: I feel like I called my insurance about this with one of my pregnancies because there was a holiday we were supposed to travel out of state for, and they had a cutoff week where if you traveled and delivered elsewhere out of state you’d be on the hook for a much bigger portion of the bill than if you delivered where you were expecting too. But I have pretty crappy insurance so it could just be that! Definitely give them a call though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-trip-at-37-weeks-prep-question#post-2911228 Fri, 06 Mar 2020 09:01:19 +0000 Becky 2911228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mama Bird: I think calling them both and the insurance company would be a good idea—I’ll do that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-trip-at-37-weeks-prep-question#post-2911227 Fri, 06 Mar 2020 08:45:10 +0000 Ms. RV 2911227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mama Bird: Good point. I was just thinking in an emergency situation not normal labor! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-trip-at-37-weeks-prep-question#post-2911226 Fri, 06 Mar 2020 08:17:59 +0000 Mama Bird 2911226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms. RV: that's true, but would they send a big bill afterwards? I think it's a good idea to call both hospitals (or the insurer) to find out if these are in network. And if they're not, what to expect in terms of billing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-trip-at-37-weeks-prep-question#post-2911225 Fri, 06 Mar 2020 07:30:12 +0000 Ms. RV 2911225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's federal law that if you are labor any hospital has to accept you for treatment. They might transfer you somewhere else but they can't turn you away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-trip-at-37-weeks-prep-question#post-2911222 Fri, 06 Mar 2020 05:49:40 +0000 Becky 2911222@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is highly unlikely but I just want to be prepared...</p> <p>I’m due with #3 on June 24th and will be driving to a 4 day, 3 night work trip 6 hours away while I’m 37 weeks. I delivered at 40 on the nose with #2 so this is really precautionary. Is there anything I would need to do ahead of time to determine where I would be accepted as a patient if for some reason I went into labor,<br /> or do they just have to take you anywhere? </p> <p>The good news is the event is being held near where I grew up and I know which 2 hospitals I’d be comfortable delivering at if needed (and there are a few people locally I would be able to call on which is why I’m really not concerned/nervous). My health insurance plan is accepted statewide (BCBS, and I’m in NY). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nitrous-oxide-during-labor#post-2910316 Sun, 16 Feb 2020 17:40:53 +0000 Becky 2910316@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Clementine12: This is kind of what I expected. I could definitely use distraction during transition. Sounds like it doesn’t hurt to have it available! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nitrous-oxide-during-labor#post-2910276 Sun, 16 Feb 2020 12:02:31 +0000 Clementine12 2910276@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used it during transition - it gave me something to do and concentrate on and might've taken the edge off the pain (but it was transition so it still hurt!). My experience with nitrous was being given a mask and told to breathe in and out into the mask, but the gas only flowed when I was taking a breath in. I held the mask to my face during contractions and dropped it between. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nitrous-oxide-during-labor#post-2910169 Thu, 13 Feb 2020 17:21:00 +0000 Kemma 2910169@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Gas is a really popular option in New Zealand and I used it for my two “natural” births. I don’t think it’s a very effective option for a longer labour (I had an epidural for my first labour which was 36 hours) but it definitely did enough to get me through my shorter labours (12 hours and six hours). I like the fact that the effect of the gas is short lived and that it doesn’t contribute to the cascade of interventions like other pain relief can. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nitrous-oxide-during-labor#post-2910150 Thu, 13 Feb 2020 14:49:02 +0000 Becky 2910150@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Btw part of what got me looking into this more was stumbling across rates/stats hospitals in NY have to report on, one of which is epidural rates. The one I’m delivering at has a 72% rate which seems SO high to me so I just want to be prepared and know about my options. It was super interesting to compare different hospitals! Here’s the link for anyone in NY who’s interested <a href="https://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/facilities/hospital/maternity/" rel="nofollow">https://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/facilities/hospital/maternity/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nitrous-oxide-during-labor#post-2910147 Thu, 13 Feb 2020 14:30:40 +0000 Bmaja 2910147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: just wanted to say thanks for posting the question. I had been meaning to ask the same. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nitrous-oxide-during-labor#post-2910138 Thu, 13 Feb 2020 14:02:19 +0000 bhbee 2910138@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: that definitely sounds like it could be the culprit, along with just first birth being more difficult. I had a great epidural where I could still move my legs but could feel nothing contraction wise. I couldn’t stop laughing about that! Really easy to push effectively. Of course still couldn’t walk on my own immediately since my core was out of commission until it wore off. We also went home early also. </p> <p>I know the bad part is you don’t know what your epidural is like until it’s too late though!! The anesthesiologist definitely started small and let me add by pushing the button. That may have helped. </p> <p>Not trying to convince you to get one, after all I did two births without it! Just brainstorming in case you need it in the moment for some reason :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nitrous-oxide-during-labor#post-2910135 Thu, 13 Feb 2020 13:30:40 +0000 Becky 2910135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BadgerMom: Oof that doesn’t sound fun. I’d consider something like stadol but narcotics make me SO sick and I already get sick in labor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nitrous-oxide-during-labor#post-2910134 Thu, 13 Feb 2020 13:29:37 +0000 Becky 2910134@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: That’s good to know that the third recovery with epidural was still easy! I think maybe my epidural was just too strong with my first so I couldn’t even walk on my own like an hour later. With #2 I was up and moving and we checked out early. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nitrous-oxide-during-labor#post-2910115 Thu, 13 Feb 2020 00:31:42 +0000 Grace 2910115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I was on pitocin because my labour stalled and at hour 17, after having tried narcotics and having been told that I couldn’t have an epidural (anesthesiologist was in surgery), they offered the nitrous oxide. It was a mask and I was told to breathe it during contractions. Well, I cheated and breathed it inbetween as well. It made me loopy and made the time go quicker. I loved it. But for my second, I had the epidural and that’s way better. </p>