Some concerns and strategies
What to do
Emotional considerations
No matter where you live, whether this is your first baby or your fifth, or if you are giving birth in a hospital or at home, the burning question on many potential parent's minds is "What if the baby comes before we get to the hospital (or in the case of a home birth, before the midwife arrives?)". The medical term given to this is a 'BBA' or 'Born Before Arrival' and this happens for about 0.3% of all births in Australia each year (in 1999). Be aware that some of the following information is only relevant within an Australian context.
Some concerns and strategies
Whether the question is one that has briefly crossed your mind, (or preoccupied it for nearly 9 months!) Some factors that could add to your concern could be:
You live a long way from the hospital
Your midwife lives a long way from you
Traffic can be a nightmare at times or there are special public events scheduled that could complicate your journey
Your last birth was quick
The baby may be premature
You babysitter may not be able to care for you other child (ren) at short notice or they live a distance away
You need to rely on the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS)
You don't have your own transport
You have a friend or family member who had their baby before arrival
You live a long way from the hospital
Whether you choose to travel to a preferred birthplace, or you have no option because you are isolated, many women will live a fair distance from where they plan to birth. If you are worried that you won't make it, (and you live in a metropolitan area), find out if there are other maternity hospitals on the way to your birthplace. Other hospitals without maternity services will usually accept you, but the staff may only have basic training in delivering babies. (However, they are your next best option!)
If it is your first baby, there is usually plenty of time.