Does anyone have advice on going through childbirth alone?

Question

My boyfriend and I moved to another state because his job. I became pregnant a couple months ago. My boyfriend now found out he has to go away for work on my due date. I have a job but am not really close enough to anyone for them to go to the hospital with me. If I go back to my home state there are not any hospitals that take my health insurance. Can I go to lamaze classes alone??

Is it safe to drive yourself to the hospital when your in labor??

Are there any books that I can read to help prepare me for everything??

Answer 1

Hi, Unfortunalty going through labour on your own is never easy! My advise to you is not to drive there especially on your own as contractions are very painful and can come unexpectidley and driving is not a very good idea especially in that condition. As for lamaze classes, i went to one and that too me was a waste of time, when you are in labour the last thing you are worried about is how you should be breathing!!! You can therefore go to these classes on your own, but it is all a matter of preferance. I suggest you get regular check ups closer to the day and advise your doc that you are alone and are worried about going into labour without anyone to help, he may admit you to hospital a few days before you birth. I was admitted to hopital 1 week before the birth of my son and it was the best thing because as soon as he was ready to come, help was just a button away!!

Good Luck!

Answer 2

Your boyfriend should have made better choices, and if he makes a choice like this now - well...apparently you know what's most important in his life.

I would rather suggest that you go home to your family, to make sure that there is someone there for you. I also suggest you double check your insurance benefits. A regular doctor visit may not be covered, but birth is considered emergency care and should be covered. Even for state aid.

If you're absolutely sure that you can't go home, enlist the people who love you to stay with you when you're closer to your time. But, keep in mind that a baby can come anytime between 36-40 weeks in a normal pregnancy. And many babies come before that!

I would never give birth alone. If it was an emergency situation, like being stuck in an elevator or something, I'm sure I would make do. But for a father to abandon his child at the most important part of that child's life - really shows what kind of father he intends to be. If he had informed his employer of the impending birth, his employer would have understood. Any employer. There's a thing called rescheduling.

It's not safe to drive yourself to the hospital when you're in labor. If you've had Braxton Hicks, you will also know that it's not safe to drive when you've had these either. Labor pains hurt, and you won't have a clear enough mind to drive. You're putting yourself, your baby, and everyone else around you at risk by getting into a car.

There's tons of books out there on how to prepare for birth. They all state the medical facts, what could happen in and out...but no book in the world will tell you the emotional aspect of giving birth.

Answer 3

No matter what the woman is always going to go through the childbirth alone. Regardless of if a man is going to hold your hand or not, its always gonna be the same............hardcore pains and agony! Just make sure the hospital give you a rough due date, and be prepared to be admitted at any time during the last two weeks. If i was alone i'd just call the hospital to collect me if my water broke. Don't drive, its not safe. There are classes and books that can help you with the pregnancy. God Bless

Answer 4

I was 18 when i had my first child and scared, i didnt know wat to expect, i did go to antenatal classes for the 1st few times but like you i was on my own, i stopped going.

I was in labour on my own, and didnt know wat to expect, the nurses were really good though and the midwife was fantastic, she told me what to do, i did mention i hadnt gone to antenatal classes so she helped me through it.

I would really sugest not to drive to the hospital though as the contractions come on in different stages, may be u could ask a neighbour to help you on that point, im sure if you explain that your partner is away they will be able to lend a hand, its hard making new friends but this is an exciting time and may be ull not be totally on your own after the birth either.

Sky TV has some good programes that you could watch, i had mother and baby books from the local clinics etc, pick up leaflets etc when you go for your check ups, but every pregnancy is different so good luck for the future. Also you have to have a car seat that the nurses fit your new born baby into when leaving the hospital. So arrange a lift home 2.

hope this helped

Answer 5

If at all possible have your mother (or his mother) or a sister stay with you around your due date. You can go to lamaze classes alone but most hospitals offer classes once a month or so, you should be able to get into a class with your boyfriend so he would at least be there for that part of it.

Answer 6

Childbirth Alone

Answer 7

You would be MUCH better off finding someone called a Doula. They provide professional labor support, and are AWESOME. They can help you with childbirth education, and stay with you to explain what is happening and suggest ways of dealing with it. Your need for pain meds will go down, and risks for you and baby with it. It is not safe to drive yourself to the hospital in labor, so you need to find another way ahead of time: a cab, a neighbor, something.

If you can't find a doula, call area midwives. Perhaps one of them has an apprentice that would help you at the hospital. Midwives who deliver at hospitals are great too--they will often stay with you during labor more than a dr.

Answer 8

its a shame the way things have turned out with your boyfriends job, but if you do end up going into hospital on your own come the time, dont drive yourself there get an ambulance instead, once you are at the hospital you will be well looked after as the staff and midwives are always friendly and helpful, the midwife i had with my last baby was 20 and she was fantastic.......good luck all the same

Answer 9

i was on my own throughout my pregnancy for different reasons to yours but it made me much stronger and i have bonded much more with my little girl because i haven't had all the interfering that i had with my 1st child, and her father has tried for 3 years now to build a bond with her and he gets really upset that she wants me all the time. i would really ask him to re think about this job because he could end up regreting it for the rest of his life, do you not have paternity leave where you are from over here fathers are entitled to time off work same as the mother. have you not got a health visitor you can talk to they should help you with support for you and your baby my health visitor is still envolved now 3 yrs on, and please don't drive in labour as it is the most uncontrolable pain u will ever go through and could cause an accident it's not fair for other people on the road! (don't mean to scare u, and u do forget the pain as soon as u see your beautiful baby) i really hope things go ok for you

Answer 10

You can do anything you want on your own. Do you have any friends you could take with you? And surely your baby's father could book the time off work for paternity leave?

I recommend taking some music into the labour room with you, it really relaxes you and will take your mind off it. Oh, and don't drive yourself to the hospital, get a taxi!