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Four friends of different ages walking arm in arm along a stone street at dusk, one carrying flowers

Together · 60 min

A practice run

Do the journey to where you plan to give birth once, before the day, and sort out who drives and who looks after whom.

60 minutesFrom the library, free to readFour steps
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Knowing exactly how to get somewhere, how long it takes and where to go when you arrive, takes a worry off the day. A practice run, done calmly in advance, also shows up the small problems while there is still time to solve them.

The steps

Four small steps,in your own time.

  1. Ask your maternity team which entrance to use, especially at night, and whether you should call before you set off.

  2. Do the journey once at a quiet time and once at a busy time if you can, and note how long each takes.

  3. Work out the details: where to park and how to pay, or which taxi or ride service to call, and a backup if the first plan falls through.

  4. Agree who will drive or come with you, and who will look after other children, pets or anyone you care for. Write it next to your important numbers.

The reason

Why it helps

When you are in labour or worried, the fewer decisions you have to make the better. A practice run turns an unknown journey into a familiar one. Arranging care for others in advance means you can focus on yourself when the time comes.

A gentle variation

If you do not drive or have no one to drive you, ask your midwife what people in your area usually do, and save the number of a taxi service that operates at night. If you are planning a home birth, practise the journey to the hospital anyway, in case plans change.

One hand resting over another on a wooden table

WE · TRIBE

Try itwith someone.

Do the practice run with your birth partner, and let them drive if they will be the one driving on the day.

Make it a plan in HIVELIVE, with WE

Try it today

This week, ask your maternity team which entrance to use, and plan one practice run.

Add it to your day

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