Giving birth in the olympic weeks. Anyone worried bout traffic on the way to the hosp?

[Billy11]

Hi there
Trying to have an elective C section planned on the first of August.
I live in Richmond my hosptial is in fulham
The olympic roadrace is between richmond and fulham so roadclosures...

Do we risk traffic by leaving another 2 hours early although the hospital is only 20 mins away ...or do we not take the risk on this particular day because the delays are so unpredictable that I might not make it to hospital?

Are you on the same side of the route as your hospital? And without knowing where you are going from or to, is it possible to just give up on the car and take the tube as you won't be in labour (this obviously depends on why you are having a C section in the first place)?

If you are on the same side, I'd give it a couple of hours and resign myself to the slow journey. Otherwise I'd try to get another date or get DH to carry everything whilst we got the tube (note: currently overdue and could do this if the stations in question aren't too big and I got a taxi at each end.)

What closures are there that day?

The 2012 website lists Cycling Time Trial for Wednesday 1 August which
starts and finishes in Hampton Court, with road closures along the route through East Molesey, West Molesey, Thames Ditton, Esher, Whiteley Village, Hinchley Wood, Surbiton, Kingston, Hampton Wick and Teddington, all of which sound a bit distant from your route from Richmond to Fulham.

So if you're not crossing an actual event, then just allowing more time seems the sensible option, and/or going by Tube for as much of the journey as possibly. Is the District line likely to be much affected?

Find out what time you have to turn up for your c-section. I had to report in first thing in the morning (can't remember if it was 6am or 7am but it was stupidly early) so traffic may not be an issue even with the Olympics.

Have you spoken to the hospital about it? They should have travel advice in place for their own staff (and patients too?).

I made the mistake of trying to cross through Chelsea when they did the practise day for the cycle race and it was an absolute nightmare I have to say!

Thanks sweatpea...that is what I needed to hear
The races are on 28 29 July and 1st of August
I live in richmond and the race route is all the way from my doorstep passing the hospital.
My friend works for the government and she told me they haven't quite worked out how the ambulence service will work on the day ...she said something about motor bike ambulences...

I did call the hospital about this and for several reasons I would really rather not change the date unless I really have to
I have to be ther for 10 am

The nearest tube station to chelsea and west mins i tried to walk to is 20 min walk and i have bad spd and a rotated pelvis...

I am not afraid of the journey taking 2 hours instead of 20 mins...but it might be impossible getting there...today the route that usually takes me 15 mins took me 1.5 hours around twickenham as something was going on in the rugby stadium

Doc said to come in a night early ...but i think they normally charge 900 pound for every night you stay too early ...

So lets see...I think the hospital hasnt got a traffic policy in place yet as it is in August...

If all else fails then I will change the date around.

Somany of the roads are closed that even if we leave early I think there will be considerable traffic...
Would be fab if they let me come in a night before...we even looked at a hotel nearby for the night before but its all booked up for the olympics anyway

Before I read the end of your post I was thinking of suggesting that you stay in a hotel/B&B the night before, then I immediately realised that of course everything will be booked out! But maybe you should call a few more places just to see?

Are you giving birth at C&W btw?

Do you have any friends nearby - even just acquaintances? I'm sure someone would help you out if they live nearby...

I can't believe the hospital still doesn't have a plan for ambulances yet?! Wtf!

I remember on the practise day all the streets were closed to anything but local traffic. I was supposed to be meeting friends for lunch at Chez Bruce and just couldn't get there in the end... had to turn back...

I think if I were you, unless I had a hotel or friend nearby to stay with, I would change the date. Also, don't want to scaremonger, but what if it affects nursing staff/doctors from getting to work on time. Those roadrace days could end up being totally crazy at C&W...

Let me know what you decide

Could you go in really early, like 5-6am, with books/magazines/flask and just wait in or near the hospital? Makes it a long boring day but potentially less stressful for you as you will know you've made it in.

Otherwise if your consultant is adamant that that must be the day for medical reasons,(can they move you to the day before?) then they need to make some contingency plan to admit you the night before really.

Sorry, just seen that it would cost you £900 to go in the night before...I assume you're private patient then? Can you not ask for your date moving, to the 27th or the 2nd (I'm guessing the 30th/31st are weekend so no go dates for private CS?)

Also, have you tried to find out what time in the morning the road closures will come into effect by?

I will let you know how it goes ladies.
The roadclosures will take effect at 5 am ..
I am considering changing the date as someone made a valid point about staff needing to get there as well

I am serioulsy considering changing the date...
Though the hospital said they will come back to me and said don't worry we will sort something out for you ....

Good luck! What a hassle!