Stupid question alert - taxi to hospital

[Numbthumbs]

Im planning to get a taxi to hospital if i go into labour at night as DP doesnt drive. Due to the terrible weather thats predicted if the taxi wont come out can i just phone an ambulance or is that a horrific waste of resources? My thinking behind that is that if they can get here then thay can help deliver baby if we cant then get to hospital.
Our road is a cul-de-sac on top of a hill and definately wont be gritted.

Thanks

[BonaDea]

I don't think that is an unreasonable use of resources.

If the weather is so bad that taxis won't come out (and that would make it pretty bad) and your DH doesn't drive, then what other alternative do you have?

A friend of mine was due to give birth last winter when we'd just had some terrible snow. They specifically asked at a late hospital appt what they should do if the roads were blocked etc and were told just to phone an ambulance -they will get to you somehow!

[Numbthumbs]

Thanks for your reply BonaDea, they do have the first response vehicles dont they so they could possibly send one of those so as not to waste and actual ambulance.
I cant see what other alternative i would have except ring 999 and get them to talk us through it! DP is an IT analyst though so dont think hes had much experience of delivering babies.
I hope taxis are running as otherwise i dont know what ill do with DD, my mom was going to get a taxi to us in early labour and she wont drive as shes not very confident at night let alone if its icy or snowing.

The stress of it all

[Whitetara]

Hiya I was wondering if it might be worth phoning NHS 24/Direct for advice. Otherwise if you call 999, depending on circumstances, I think you might also be able to request an ambulance if you make it clear you don't need to be blue-lighted to hospital. Might be worth checking with midwife/gp as to what could be provided - there must be something in place as you won't be the first or the last! Best of luck and hope it all goes well for you!

[Anja1Cam]

Well, when I had DD1 8+ years ago and Dh doesn't drive and apparently Taxis would likely have refused to take me (so I was told...) I was given the explicit advice (from MW and Hosp) to ring for an ambulance. Ring Hosp to confirm they have a space / you're ready to come in, then I had to dial 999 to get an ambulance. No problem whatsoever, definitely no blue lights! For DD2 I had MIL driving my car (fully insured and everything of course), wonder who was more stressed - me in labour or she negotiating traffic she was not use to

[KatieRogers12i4]

I would go not drive, i don't trust DH for that :-\

[ZuleikaD]

You'll be fine to call an ambulance. But it wouldn't be a bad idea for your DH to read about home births so he can help you in the event you have a wait.

[Flisspaps]

Alternatively you could ask your MW for a home birth pack to be dropped off and ask a MW to come to you on the night instead.

[Nishky]

my friend was told off for taking two buses when the hospital told her to come in!! the midwife had been waiting for her for two hours as it was a Sunday and she had to cross Birmingham! My friend was told she should have called an ambulance so I think you would be justified

Flisspaps, i guess the op has already decided she wants a hospital not home birth

[Flisspaps]

I understand that Nishky, under normal circumstances, but I'm thinking if the roads are that bad, then at least having the pack there might be useful (if a first responder is sent out!) and the OP may find she doesn't want to leave the house!

Just a suggestion, not an order

[poshfrock]

I would check ith your MW what the procedure is. When I had DS 14 years ago I was in your situation (although it was July so no snow or ice). I was told that if I called an ambulance we would be charged for it as going into labour is not an emergency. She advised us to call a taxi but on the day when we tried they refused to take me in case I made a mess on their seats - we tried 2 or 3 firms. In the end I had to take the bus.

[Nishky]

Sorry flisspaps- didn't mean to be snappy.

[rrreow]

You could check if your area has patient transport services? We used it when my husband had to go in for a back operation but couldn't walk. It's an actual ambulance but it's not 'emergency'. Although not sure if it would be suitable for when you need it right away. If there are no other options to get to the hospital then I definitely think you should phone an ambulance.

[HavingALittleFaithBaby]

When we had bad snow 18 months ago, my local hospital had people on standby with 4x4s to pick up staff that couldn't get in and pregnant patients! My friend was in a similar situation to you. I presume she rang the labour ward (?) and they sent a 4x4 to pick her up. Of the weather turns their will be someone leading co-ordination of this kind of service and I think if you ring the labour ward they would arrange it for you.

[HavingALittleFaithBaby]

18 months ago? I mean Dec 2011....

[nextphase]

Check in your notes - we were told not to call 999, but phone the maternity ward and explain.
We didn't follow the instructions tho - 999, and the first paramedic made it into the house pre delivery. By the time the second had found some gas and air, I was no longer pregnant! The first thing they asked was if a midwife had been called (err, no!)

[mummywithnosleep]

Oh, I love telly this story.

Many years ago I had a new next door neighborough move in November, heavily pregant. She was a lovely lady and her husband worked away. I worked very long hours and was not at home much during the week (commuted all over the UK) but I still popper round when she moved in and said "if you need anything just call"!

Well by the time Christmas came we had heavy snow, and she was on her own. I was supposed to be away for work between Christmas and the New Year and I was at home on Boxing day at 3am packing a suit case for my flight, when the phone rang. The house was pitch black as we had a bad power cut and I was packing by candle light

Next Door Neighborough in labour, No husband and could I take her to hopsital as the midwife could not get through the snow. (2 foot thick snow)

So I pop next door thinking and she was "just" in labour only go next door to find she is well and truely in Labour!

So I called the ambulance and the operator talked me through everything baby was born 30mins later ambulance arrived 1 hour later! with the Midwife

Mum and DD were fine and she became my 2nd God Child.

It was just good luck that I had a flight to catch and was at home otherwise Mum and DD would have been all alone in the dark!

Call your birthing unit and check they will have had similar situations befor. Congratulations

[HavingALittleFaithBaby]

Aww how lovely Mummy! Bonding experience and a half! :)

[Eletheomel]

My sister went into labour on christmas night, my dad (the only driver) couldnt took take her to the hospital as he'd had a few festive drinks (she was 3 weeks early, so we weren't expecting it).

Anyway, phoned local hospital a few times, when her contractions were 3 mins apart, they told her to come in, but they said she had to find her own way as they wouldn't send an ambulance.

Anyway, nightmare trying to get a taxi on christmas night! After knockbacks from 5 firms, eventually (in true christmas spirit) the taxi booking man said that he would come and collect her in his own car and take her to the hospital - and he did, turned up 10 mins later and dropped her and her DH at the hospital. She gave birth to a girl 4 hours later.

However, I also have a friend who had went to hospital in labour with her first (she drove there) they sent her home (45 minute drive) as they didnt think it would progress fast, being her first, by the time she got home, her contractions had greatly increased and they ended up having to send an ambulance for her.

Two different healthboards, but it's left me confused as to what the policy is regarding ambulances and labour!

[forgetmenots]

Not a stupid question at all. Weather aside, is taxi the normal solution? Or should I ask the MW at next appointment? Would put my mind at rest if there was a transport service, that said if I'm far enough along I will not hesitate to ring an ambulance, charge or not!

[Eletheomel]

That's great to know twitchy - as you say, even if they do charge the key thing is that they will send an ambulance for you if you're in advanced labour and dial 999.

I'm hoping DH will be around whenever I go into labour (only 20 wks so have a while to go, but I don't drive) but it does get you wondering if everything goes awry.

I have another friend who lives very near a hospital and ended up having a superfast delivery with her 2nd child (her mum and dad had jsut arrived to take DS1 away, she was in the bath (had a few minor contractions and was trying to ease the pain) and 3 big contractions later she gave birth herself to another baby boy!

When they phoned the hospital, they then sent an ambulance for her to take her and the baby in (given that she lives that close to the hospital - less than 5 mins drive - I don't think anyone could believe that she didn't make it on time! - Needless to say, when it came to number 3, she was keen to make sure she didn't do that again!)

[BonaDea]

I recently watched the online tour of my hospital's labour ward and birthing suite (Kingston hospital). They specifically said in the video that you should not drive yourself and if for some reason you were having trouble getting to the hospital to always phone an ambulance. I have never heard of anyone being charged for one in the UK!

[iamwhaticallpregnant]

I have read this thread with interest as my partner and I do not drive. I am surprised that taxis would refuse to take a pregnant woman! A little scary. But I assume if i dont tell them im in labour I will be ok?