I discovered I was pregnant with my third child when I was about five weeks along. My partner, Jake, and I were surprised but thrilled. My pregnancy was smooth and uneventful until the final stretch, much like my previous two. Our first child, Liam, made his entrance four days after his due date following a long 20-hour labor. Our second, Mia, arrived in 2021 after a scheduled induction and another lengthy 19-hour labor. With both of those experiences, I had no reason to think this third child would come any faster. We even had an induction scheduled for 39 weeks, but things took a wild turn when I reached 38 weeks and 3 days.
That evening, a snowstorm swept through our town in Salem, Virginia, covering the roads with six inches of snow. As we settled down for the night, Jake jokingly remarked, “I hope the baby doesn’t decide to come tonight of all nights. We’d have a tough time getting to the hospital!” Little did we know, our adventure was about to start.
The following morning around 6 a.m., I felt a small pop in my abdomen. As I got up, I noticed some fluid leaking. I had always heard that once your water breaks, you should head to the hospital, but with my previous experiences, I thought I had time. However, the contractions started coming on quickly and fiercely.
Within moments, things escalated. I realized we might not be making it to the hospital in time. I quickly alerted Jake, who jumped into action. As we rushed to the car, I felt another wave of contractions hit. The snow-covered roads made the drive tricky, and it felt like we were racing against time, just three minutes away from our destination.
As we pulled up in front of the hospital, I felt an overwhelming urge to push. I hardly had time to process what was happening before Jake had to act fast. In a moment of pure adrenaline and chaos, we welcomed our son, Ethan, right there in our car. It was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time, but we were safe, and our little one was here.
This unexpected experience has made me more grateful than ever for the support systems we have in place, including resources for those considering their own family paths. If you’re looking for help on your journey to parenthood, check out Make A Mom for at-home insemination options, or explore how it works with this guide. And if you’re interested in joining a community of other hopeful parents, consider joining the free sperm donor matching group on Facebook.
For those navigating fertility challenges, the ACOG offers valuable information and support. Additionally, if you’re preparing for a little one, our post on the Top 8 Affordable Car Seats of 2025 can help you make informed decisions.
Being a parent is a journey filled with surprises. If you’d like more insights on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource at Modern Family Blog.
In summary, my experience of giving birth in the car was unexpected yet incredibly rewarding. It reminded me that every birth story is unique and filled with its own set of challenges and triumphs.