Is it U to call an ambulance for labour if there is no immediate danger?

[Where4l]

Not first baby.

5-10 minute ride by taxi to the hospital or 15 mins (ish) by bus. No complications and not a high risk pregnancy. Plenty of time to get there by either of the above, as in baby not imminent, early labour but calls an ambulance to get to the hospital.

Unreasonable or not?

Totally unreasonable

Based on the fact that it doesn’t sound like it was an emergency, then yes it’s unreasonable.

I wouldn’t get a bus or an ambulance!

Very unreasonable.

Yes it’s not a taxi service. You’ve the best part of 9 months to plan for it.

Very unreasonable.

Not sure I would have wanted to get a bus whilst in early labour, though. Not a medical emergency but it’s a bit like being unwell, a taxi would be preferable.

It would be quicker in a taxi I expect

Ambulances are not taxis.

If anyone calls one for a non life or death reason then someone else who is truly in need will not have an ambulance to go to them for that whole time (ie from time you place your call until after they have handed over in hospital and cleaned the ambulance). Your decision could be fatal for someone.

Make your own way there.

Did an ambulance actually attend?

Ambulances are for accidents or emergencies only. They are not a maternity taxi. I have fast labours and I was told to call an ambulance if I started pushing at home!

Oh and no to the bus

Totally unreasonable. There are many months to decide how to get to hospital so there’s no excuse.

You could be waiting 5 hours for ambulance anyway.

Since this wasn't you, are you quite certain you have all the details before asking AIBU to pass judgement?

@Tempusfudgeit

Did an ambulance actually attend?

Ambulances absolutely will attend, they have to. So frustrating and diverts valuable resources away from those who need it.

Unreasonable unless there was a medical reason for it.

(I was told to ring an ambulance if I needed to go to hospital as I had a high possibility of giving birth at the side of the road... Plan A was home birth which is what happened. 45min drive from hospital on Country lanes.)

I'd have to say I'd think taxi a better bet but - if they agreed to send an ambulance- then I'd assume there was a good reason. And the paramedics assessed her and agreed she needed to go to hospital, so maybe things were progressing faster or were more complicated than you think.

Total abuse of the system. Ambulance is for someone who needs urgent medical attention or can’t safely be moved without expert help.

@MordredsOrrery

Since this wasn't you, are you quite certain you have all the details before asking AIBU to pass judgement?

Seconded. Unless you are there or the mother than butt out

How do you know all of these details?

I know someone who did this. She said she was in a lot of pain. I said it is not called labour for nothing.

The only thing I would say for an ambulance in early labour is that if baby is transverse or if the mother has too much fluid (diagnosed) then when their waters go they are to ring 999 straight away because of the risk of cord prolapse.

What’s the story here? It’s not just you asking a question is it?

Yep. Unreasonable. Especially if in early labour where you'll likely be turned away from maternity.

As a paramedic, these calls are hugely frustrating. Once on scene we obviously have a duty of care, some are taxied taken to hospital, some are not.
It astounds me that the majority of the time, when these calls come in that we are the first port of call - not the labour ward/birth centre, not a friend or relative and certainly not a taxi.

That being said, I delivered a baby yesterday, at home. 2nd baby and ridiculously quick labour. Mum knew she was about to deliver, dad called and we rocked up unusually quickly.
All fine, we had to transport both in as the midwives refused to come out. I do love a healthy fresh one at the start of a long shift 😬

Completely unreasonable. MIL had to wait for 9 hours on kitchen floor with broken hip and nothing but paracetamol a month ago (still in hospital now).

Labour isn’t an emergency 😡