What if you go into labor at work in DC but your home and hospital are in NoVA?

[Anonymous]

We recently moved to Vienna and I commute into DC about twice a week. With the metro and walk, it's about 45 mins door to door. I'm currently in my 3rd trimester and wondering what I would do if I go into labor at work. Would I try to make it back to Vienna or just go to Sibley (where I delivered my first but obviously not currently registered at)? Should I try to go fully remote after 35 weeks?

I know most people have hours upon hours before they deliver but with my first, I had him at 37 weeks and got to the hospital at 9cm. I worry I'll have an even faster labor the second time around and now the logistics of a toddler and in-office work have me nervous.

What have others done?

[Anonymous]

Work remotely. If your office is not accomodating, talk to your OB and get a note for med necessity.

[Anonymous]

Seconding the rec to go remote. Get a doctors note if your office is not supportive. Do whatever you can to reduce this unnecessary stress and good luck!

[Anonymous]

This is the type of thing I would have worried about with my first pregnancy. I was in labor 24 hours. I certainly would have had time to return to VA. If you feel like you’re starting to have contractions - I would not go in to work that day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the type of thing I would have worried about with my first pregnancy. I was in labor 24 hours. I certainly would have had time to return to VA. If you feel like you’re starting to have contractions - I would not go in to work that day.

Oh and with #3 I arrived with: there’s the head. I knew I was in labor but wasn’t in a rush to get to the hospital. But if you can work remote why not do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the type of thing I would have worried about with my first pregnancy. I was in labor 24 hours. I certainly would have had time to return to VA. If you feel like you’re starting to have contractions - I would not go in to work that day.

Oh and with #3 I arrived with: there’s the head. I knew I was in labor but wasn’t in a rush to get to the hospital. But if you can work remote why not do it.

Omg! That's my fear. Think I'll start having a conversation with my boss, we have a pretty flexible policy but I felt bad taking advantage since labors CAN be super long...mine just haven't been.

Thanks for the insight everyone!

[Anonymous]

Are you a FTM? Labor is usually 12 hours if not several days...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the type of thing I would have worried about with my first pregnancy. I was in labor 24 hours. I certainly would have had time to return to VA. If you feel like you’re starting to have contractions - I would not go in to work that day.

Oh and with #3 I arrived with: there’s the head. I knew I was in labor but wasn’t in a rush to get to the hospital. But if you can work remote why not do it.

Omg! That's my fear. Think I'll start having a conversation with my boss, we have a pretty flexible policy but I felt bad taking advantage since labors CAN be super long...mine just haven't been.

Thanks for the insight everyone!

I would personally not feel bad!!!

And get to the hospital sooner than I did ha. It was my “fault” for waiting but in my defense - I was waiting for it to get more painful as my sign to go in and it just never got as painful as my labor with DS2 (also unmedicated).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you a FTM? Labor is usually 12 hours if not several days...

No, this is my second. When I had my first, I labored at home for 3 hours and got to the hospital at 9cm.

[Anonymous]

Have a conversation with your Dr as to what they recommend.
You know your body and your labor. I stopped taking metro at 36 weeks and my husband and I carpooled - but he worked a block away and it made sense.

Reality - if you go into labor at work, you can get a ride to the hospital as most co workers will drop everything to make sure you get to where you need to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you a FTM? Labor is usually 12 hours if not several days...

No, this is my second. When I had my first, I labored at home for 3 hours and got to the hospital at 9cm.

So you know your body and labor. How long from when you arrived at the hospital until you delivered? For my 1st, I went from 1st sign of labor to baby in my arms in 4 hours. If you have a history of precipitous labor your dr is going to guide you differently.

[Anonymous]

For a first kid, I'd laugh at you and tell you it will be fine.

But 3 hours to 9 cms for your first? At 37 weeks? And a flexible office policy? Yeah, I'd ask for my last day in the office to be when I was at 35 weeks. And when I asked, I'd specify that my first labor was very quick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We recently moved to Vienna and I commute into DC about twice a week. With the metro and walk, it's about 45 mins door to door. I'm currently in my 3rd trimester and wondering what I would do if I go into labor at work. Would I try to make it back to Vienna or just go to Sibley (where I delivered my first but obviously not currently registered at)? Should I try to go fully remote after 35 weeks?

I know most people have hours upon hours before they deliver but with my first, I had him at 37 weeks and got to the hospital at 9cm. I worry I'll have an even faster labor the second time around and now the logistics of a toddler and in-office work have me nervous.

What have others done?

If you go into labor at work, go to your hospital. By the fastest way - Uber probably. I carried my essentials (glasses, toothbrush, night guard) on my person every day after 36 weeks in case I went to the hospital from work. DH could have gone home to get other stuff as needed. Make sure your childcare is approved to pick up your toddler from daycare and knows how to do that.

[Anonymous]

Go remote as soon as you can! For this and many other reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We recently moved to Vienna and I commute into DC about twice a week. With the metro and walk, it's about 45 mins door to door. I'm currently in my 3rd trimester and wondering what I would do if I go into labor at work. Would I try to make it back to Vienna or just go to Sibley (where I delivered my first but obviously not currently registered at)? Should I try to go fully remote after 35 weeks?

I know most people have hours upon hours before they deliver but with my first, I had him at 37 weeks and got to the hospital at 9cm. I worry I'll have an even faster labor the second time around and now the logistics of a toddler and in-office work have me nervous.

What have others done?

Most people do not suddenly go into full blown labor and deliver within the hour like they do in movies and TV. I would just call an Uber and go home. Then figure it out from there. Obviously if an emergency situation like sudden bleeding or something that is different. But even when my water broke I was instructed to stay home for a while.