Coming back from hospital with newborn in a cab?

[MamanFlo]

Heya

I wondered if any of you had to go back home after giving birth in a cab or minicab. DH and I don't own a car, we are living 15 min away from the clinic in cab and we have a bus direct. Would that be a problem to book a cab to come back home ? We will have a car seat.
What is safer : a black cab or a minicab ?

Seems stupid, but we don't want to be stuck at the clinic , or walk home !

thanks for your help !

Flo

[LittleRedRidingHood]

Hi Flo I had this problem too - Will respond properly later!

[MamanFlo]

great...look forward to hearing your wisdom

[Spacecadet]

When I had my first dd 14 years ago I didnt hasve any transport apart from a taxi, I came home in the taxi with my dd, in her car seat, I think black cabs are probably best as they tend to be governed better, ask someone to reccommend a good local taxi service, the hospital dont mind how you get home so long as babe is in a car seat.

[aloha]

A local taxi firm will be fine. Good luck!

[clare1980]

when i had dd i went to hospital in taxi if fact she was nearly born in it and was taken home by same driver the hospital were fine about it and even put the car seat in for me

[coppertop]

We have no car either. With ds1 we had a minicab to take us home but with our own carseat. A minicab would be just as safe though IMHO. Good luck.

[bundle]

if you do go for a black cab, some of the older ones have quite short seatbelts which have been retrofitted, so a minicab might be better.

[coppertop]

Meant to say a blackcab would be just as safe.

[LittleRedRidingHood]

Hi Flo
Both ds and dd came home by taxi
We phoned for a taxi from the reception area of the hospital - make sure you take numbers of firms you like/know
Make sure to ask for a driver who doesnt smoke - so that the car doesnt stink!!!
Also it can be a good idea to ask either the operator or the driver not to have the radio playing as you will probably feel far to sensitive to have music blaring - I have learnt this lesson the hard way!!!
I havent travelled in a black cab for 15 years so i have no opinion on those!!!

I hope it all goes well for you!!

[LittleRedRidingHood]

Re the car seat actually fitting - I have always found taxis to be quite large - so plenty of space for car seat - Always had to fit it myself though - taxi drivers and dh's never know how IME - worth bearing in mind if you end up with stitches or a Ceasaraen!!

[jackeroo]

i had the same problem as you flo - we found out that the hospital had a taxi firm that they recommended and you can ring from there. the cab drivers are used to coping with newborns and carseats - maybe you could check with your clinic and see if they have similar? but i'd def make sure you know how to fix the carseat into a car!

[MamanFlo]

thanks for all these responses, it is very reassuring.
I will ask on tuesday if the clinic has any recommended company, and we'll start from there.

BTW last monday I had to take a cab to go to the clinic for a monitoring..somehow the driver didn't realise I was 8 months pregnant (though my bump was really showing !) and he decided to drive on a street with at least 20 bumpers ! Hopefully I wasn't in labour yet !