Taking a taxi to the hospital

[frenchfries22]

Hi All,

DH and I are planning on taking a taxi to hospital when I go into labour - do I need to inform them before hand, could they potentially refuse to take us? Was planning on taking a disposable sheet type thing if my waters hadn't broken just in case

When are you thinking of calling the taxi? I just had my first baby 5 days ago, and there's no way that a taxi would have been feasible. My labour progressed extremely quickly at home and i was in a LOT of pain during the car journey. I don't think a taxi driver would have been too keen on the experience... also, my waters had broken with a pop at home, and yet I continued to leak a LOT in our car!! The amount of amniotic fluid was the biggest surprise about childbirth... it felt like my waters broke three times, each time with a huge gush!! If you plan to go to hospital much earlier (i.e. during very early and manageable contractions) then it might be a different story.

I got a taxi to hospital in advanced labour and it was fine (well not much fun but ykwim), ds was born within 30 minutes of us arriving. We didn't tell the taxi company that I was in labour until the taxi arrived and dh ran out to explain why I was taking a while getting out of the flat. The driver was lovely, there was never any suggestion that he wasn't happy to take us and he wasn't bothered by me shouting and swearing at all.

Theres another thread on here somewhere about getting a taxi in labour and someone said on there that its illegal for them to refuse to take a woman in labour. There are lots of women on there who have done it with no problem.

I got a taxi when in labour. Didn't tell them. The driver did take us but kept looking nervously in the mirror

I took a taxi while in labour after my waters had broken. Didn't tell the driver - though he probably suspected as he dropped us at the maternity department. Wasn't a big deal at all. I wouldn't hesitate if I were you. What;s the alternative?

Definitely take a seat protector - our NCT leader suggests making one out of a big plastic bag wrapped in a towel. The bed mats are also a good idea.

One thing I would say having had to get lots of taxis lately, is work out whether you'll struggle with certain kinds of cabs. I can hardly get into and out of the people carrier, mini-bus or wheelchair suitable type of cabs as it is and have to remember to ask the cab company to send a normal car for me. Black cabs are the easiest though!

I just used a big sanitary towel - the sort I was taking in for after the birth. My experience of breaking waters was more of a leak than a gush - apparently the baby's head acts as a plug. Maybe I was just lucky.

Thanks for the responses. DH nor I drive so the other alternative is my parents, however I am not so keen to wake them up if we need to go in the middle of the night. I have the bed mats so was planning on taking one of those to sit on. My Mum is also very keen to come into the labour suite but I would prefer it to be just me and DH and if they take us to the hospital I feel as though I would be obliged or have little choice about it so a taxi may be less stressful all round, though BananaMuffin if my waters break like yours not sure a taxi will be feasible! Was trying to be as organized as possible but guess we will have to wait and see how it happens!