anyone registered privately with a hospital? Do they have an ambulence service?

[Billy11]

i am registered to give birth at the kensington wing of chelsea and westminster...but live nearer to west middsx hosp
if i go in to labour will the ambulance take me to my hosptial ...?
My preferred one...ofcourse my condition permitting

No, they will take you to the nearest hospital more than likely.

You'd need to get a taxi otherwise.

I'm confused why you would be getting an ambulance to hospital?

If, for whatever reason, it really was an emergency and you had to get an ambulance, they'll take you to the nearest hospital.

You are only supposed to ring an ambulance in an emergency situation, ie labour progressing too fast to get to hospital in a car, blood loss, cord prolapse etc. If this is happening then you need to get to a hospital with the facilities to treat you as fast as possibly; this means your closest hospital with a maternity unit.

If this isn't the case, be driven or get a taxi to hospital.

I assume you mean a private non-emergency ambulance? I think the Portland will pick you up from another hospital (if you've unexpectedly had to give birth there) for your postnatal care, never heard of them doing home pick-ups though. I think you'd have to get a taxi, unless it's a real emergency in which case you'd be best going to the nearest hospital anyway.

Portland don't have their own ambulance service. I transferred there and arranged my own private ambulance to get me there.

There are private ambulances around that you can book. Good luck!

And, incidentally, you do not have to have an emergency to book a private ambulance.

Well i have really bad spd...i have found it really hard to get understanding from the nhs to possibly want a c section as the last 'natural' birth left me with a rotated pelvis ..awful kneepains and spinal disks which are getting affected...
Hopefull i will go for an elective c section but if i go in to labour early then would like to be taken to my private hospital where my consulant understands my case and will be more likely to offer me a c section rather than a team of midwives putting my legs in stirrups giving me no choice but to give birth naturally makeing my pelvis joint worse off than it already is...

So only in an emergency would i want to go to chelsea and westminster which is 6 minits further than my local nhs one

How does one organize a private ambulence? Any reliable services someone can recommend?
Just want to be covered

I understand it makes sense to be taken to the nearest hosp in case of an emergency ...but as the difference is 6 to 7 minits i would rather take longer to get there and have a safe delivery ...meaning safe for my pelvic joints and baby ...don't fancy being on crutches or in a wheelchair forever

what are you basing your timings on? 6 minutes between west mid and C&W sounds far too optimistic for SW London traffic which can be bad at times... if you have a section booked you can organise someone to take you. If you have a true emergency (thankfully v.rare) QT is right, you do just have to go with the flow.

If you go into labour before your ELCS why do you need an ambulance? Surely your partner/friend/relative can take you or just call a taxi.

I went by ambulance both times to hospital of my choice (Chelsea & Westminster 1st time and Queen Charlottes 2nd), first time couldn't get a taxi and bus not an option from Battersea, second time was in car about to leave but water's broke and felt baby coming so ambulance called, baby nearly made appearance on the roadside, but made it in time.

Thanks QTpie
My friend had a c section arranged for week 39 but baby came at 35 weeks ...she didnt take her contractions seriously as it was too soon...within 3 hours baby was born AT HOME ..i suppose im trying to cover everything just in case...
I am just scared that my SPD wont' be taken serioulsy during delivery in an nhs hospital and last birth it caused some permanent damage...just dont want to loose my ability to walk ...thanks so much ladies...
i think i need to calm down ...and stop reading about horrorstories of babies coming too early
my consultant is keeping an eye on my cervix to try and predict an early birth ...thanks ladies..

Thank you all
Finally getting my tour of the kensington wing tomorrow