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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect to be able to park at the hospital when in labour?

295 replies

Therareotherbooks · 07/03/2019 15:09

Last few antenatal appointments there hasn’t been a single car parking space on hospital site. The nearest on street spot I managed to find was 1/4 mile away and I had to call a taxi from the road side to drive me to the hospital doors.

I am now terrified about what will happen when I’m in labour. Obviously my DH will be with me so can drop me off but if he then has to go and park miles away I could be on my own for ages.

AIBU to expect there to be some designated car parking for women in labour?!

OP posts:
JaneEyre07 · 07/03/2019 15:10

Not a chance in hell at our local hospital. There are drop off points though where you can park for 20 minutes. Best answer is to get someone to drop you both, then there is no worry about car parking costs.

GreenThing · 07/03/2019 15:12

Most places have a drop off point outside the maternity unit, the driver is then expected to join the general parking lot.

Special spaces for women in labour would be mad in a general hospital.

No one is there for the fun of it, people who are actually ill, and those visiting the dying, should take preference if anyone should.

In real life, a free for all is the fairest way.

Littleraindrop15 · 07/03/2019 15:13

Can you get a taxi?

Happyspud · 07/03/2019 15:13

Lol, you’ll manage fine. It’s not really like in the movies and for whatever reason, labours often tend to happen in the small hours. Maybe due to feeling calm and safe at night, but all 4 of mine came in the night when there was loads of parking. My hospital had an emergency pull in area where you could park in an absolute emergency (ie baby is crowning in the car) but honestly, that is quite rare and especially first time mums tend to go in way too early meaning you’ve loads of time to get parked and sorted, though it’s not much fun with contractions.

Basically, you’ll manage and I bet it won’t be the big issue you’re imagining.

ClairParavel · 07/03/2019 15:14

Ugh happened to me. DH basically parked in a non car park space and got his brother to come quickly and move the car ASAP, as I could barely walk by time we got there- it was a VERY quick labour with no time for anyone to come get us etc.

RogueV · 07/03/2019 15:15

You’ll be fine. Your DH can go and park the car and join you.
Alternatively take a taxi.

Drama llama

londonrach · 07/03/2019 15:17

My local hospital provides special parking spaces for those going through chemo treatment. That i totally agree with. Its a special car park with a barrier right next to the cancer unit totally different entrance to any other part of the hospital. Tbh if in labour i wouldnt expect a car park. You get dropped off and person parking car parks. Yabu. People are usually in hospital because their ill.

DinoMamasaurus · 07/03/2019 15:21

At our hospital there are drop off spaces by the labour wards and then you need to move to the main car park. It might be worth asking as at our hospital you could pay in the ward and get a lower cost day ticket than from the machines. Also I think they had tickets to allow you to stay longer in the drop off if there wasn’t going to be time to move the car (but in all likelihood there will be plenty of time)

My other general tip on parking anywhere would be look at the Just Park app. It’s basically private spaces bookable in advance or immediately from your phone. It shows you all that is available nearby. It has has saved me when station car parks have been full/going somewhere for a busy event with lots of pressure on parking. At least you can see if there are any back up spaces near by the hospital so your partner has a plan b in case the car park is full on the day.

KittenCamile · 07/03/2019 15:22

My hospital is terrible for parking, I didn’t risk it and got a taxi.

My husband called a few companies before hand so he knew which one would take us. I bought a puppy pad to sit on in the taxi incase my waters went or I leaked and I made sure there was cash in the house to pay for it.

Really straight forward and no stress. Don’t drive there.

Sirzy · 07/03/2019 15:22

Most people going to hospitals don’t want to be there and need to. Parking is a nightmare for everyone so no i don’t think women in labour should get any sort of priority

kaytee87 · 07/03/2019 15:25

Do you have SPD or something? 1/4 of a mile is only a 5 minute walk. Just wondering why you called a taxi. I can mind my own business of course Grin

Your partner could drop you at the doors then go and find somewhere to park if it comes to it.

PCohle · 07/03/2019 15:25

YABU. No one's parking at a hospital for the fun of it.

You've already established that the worst that will happen is that you will be in labour without your husband by your side for about 10 minutes whilst he parks.

Alsohuman · 07/03/2019 15:26

Everyone else manages, OP.

Iooselipssinkships · 07/03/2019 15:27

Could you not arrange for a family member to take both you and DH when the time comes?
Or a taxi? The puppy pad advice is good!

BrieAndChilli · 07/03/2019 15:29

it will depend on when you go into labour and when the hospital ask you to come in, babies dotn come between 9-5 mon to fri!!!
DS1 we didnt go to the hospital until after i finished watching eastenders!
DD we didnt go to the hospital untill about midnight
DS2 was about 3 pm but managed to find a spot.

negomi90 · 07/03/2019 15:30

Why should someone in labour get a parking space over someone who's parent/child is dying?
Or a patient getting treatment for a serious medical problem.
The issue is not enough parking in the hospital. Not dedicated spaces for people in labour (which would be impossible to enforce).
Also someone in labour shouldn't be driving and so will either be in a taxi or have a driver who can drop them and go park.

Mrscog · 07/03/2019 15:30

At our hospital parking is a nightmare - at the 38 week midwife appointment we were told that you can park in the drop off area for an emergency and they'll let security know. It will probably be out of hours anyway - in my experience hospital parking tends to be at its worst 8-5 then eases off.

ILoveMaxiBondi · 07/03/2019 15:31

Obviously my DH will be with me so can drop me off but if he then has to go and park miles away I could be on my own for ages.

Ages? How long does it take your DH to walk 1/4 of a mile? Confused

You’ll be fine. You’ll be in a hospital with medically trained staff. Your partner will be on his way. Probably no more than 20 minutes away. Other women will be actually alone. For the duration.

cakesandphotos · 07/03/2019 15:34

Our hospital has two maternity spaces. You can only park in them if in labour and I think they’re 20 minutes, idea being you and partner get in and settled then partner moves the car

CluedoAddict · 07/03/2019 15:35

During the hours of 8am-6pm there is usually a 30 minute minimum queue to even get in our hospital. It's an absolute nightmare. You will just have to hope you got into labour at night.

3timeslucky · 07/03/2019 15:37

Part of the birth experience in both hospitals I had babies in, is for your partner to run in and out topping up the parking meters.

It is not unreasonable to think you should be able to park. But it doesn't surprise me that you can't.

ADHMeeee · 07/03/2019 15:37

Also someone in labour shouldn't be driving and so will either be in a taxi or have a driver who can drop them and go park.

We had no one, partner didnt drive, hospital said I had to come in but also said I definitely wasnt in labour, I drove partner and I there, few hours later out popped a baby.

sunshineandshowers21 · 07/03/2019 15:37

when i’ve had my babies i’ve got a taxi to the hospital and then when it’s time to take baby home my boyfriend has got a taxi home to get his car and then just pulled up outside the maternity doors to pick us up. at my local hospital you can never find a parking space and the parking charges cost an absolute bomb so we didn’t even bother trying.

Mysterycat23 · 07/03/2019 15:39

Yup DH will drop you off, help you stagger into the ward and then you will be left alone - er, I mean with a fully qualified midwife whose literal job is to care for you and baby - for a while while he parks and runs back.

Trust me when I say you won't really notice how long he's gone for, you will have other more pressing and urgent perceptions, feelings and experiences going on. Due to, y'know, being in actual labour.

I remember very clearly being asked to lie on the bed by the midwife so she could examine me. I remember very clearly not being able to do so, due to not being able to move my legs, due to being in advanced labour. I remember thinking is this midwife some sort of blind idiot, I clearly cannot even walk unaided so how would I climb up onto a hospital bed?! It is a blur after that and then at some point DH must have snuck back in the room. I think I'm actually quite glad he wasn't there for the exam tbh!

daisypond · 07/03/2019 15:41

I always went to antenatal appointments on the bus. We didn't have a car, so we got a taxi when I went into labour. No, I don't think there should be designated spots for women in labour.

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