Getting to/from from the hospital

[starrysimon]

Me and DH are a bit stuck with how we get to and from the hospital in a few weeks time for the birth. We live about 30 minute walk (15/20 if not heavily pg) from the hospital but it’s up a massive hill! It really doesn’t seem fun to walk up whilst in labour and creates a dangerous situation of me possibly giving birth on the roadside (fast delivery with first baby, barely made it there with her). We’d also have to walk back pushing baby in a pram. Won’t be fun to walk back either, especially if I end up having a c-section for whatever reason.

Relatives and public transport obviously isn’t an option. Planned for my DM to take us before the lockdown/isolation was put in place. I’m thinking about discussing it at my next consultant appointment next week. Would it be unreasonable to ask for patient transport if there is any available? There’s no other way other than walking.

I will more than likely end up giving birth before I can even get out the door

I honestly don’t think I’d make it to the hospital

I’d understand being berated if I had normal, slow labours but they’re so fast and spontaneous that it becomes dangerous!

there is a 90% chance I will birth at home alone anyway due to the speed.

I would not be able to get a taxi or a lift if this happens as baby will still be attached by cord.

Bloody hell OP you are being so dramatic.

If you are so sure you won't make it to hospital why did you even make a thread about getting to hospital

I'm consultant led have been in all 4 pregnancies just because u had a quick first birth does not mean the rest will be like that my first was 1 hour 50 my 2nd 37 hours 3rd 9.5 hours no midwife would tell u ur going to have a quick labour just because your first was now if this was your 3/4 maybe but not on your second there are alot of women consultant led and high risk due to give birth soon me included but would never dream of calling an ambulance unless it was life or death women give birth at home every day alone and all is fine by time ambulance gets there my friend will be taking me as she's been isolating like me and is low risk I can't see and health care professional recommending to call an ambulance just because your in labour and last one was quick let alone in the middle of a global pamdemic.

You also say your at high risk of pre eclampsia but you don't have it yet so I'm guessing ur checked weekly for it so it wouldn't be an issue unless u got it and then they would treat you in hospital for it anyway if it was bad.

I personally think your been a bit over top and an rather than ring an ambulance which at the moment u could be waiting hours for u should get your mil to take u as originally planned she is probably your safest option

If you were really deemed to be at such a high risk of just having the baby as you walked out the door, you'd either already by in hospital on complete bed rest, or have been induced early!

Who will be minding your other children?

Why don't you just ask for the air ambulance to land in your garden to take you?

As others said, why ask on here, if you aren't happy with the multiple suggestions people have provided???

OP, you aren’t doing yourself any favours getting worked up about it.
A quick first labour doesn’t always mean a quick second labour, rapid deliveries are rarely dangerous as the body just gets on and does what it should be doing (sometimes the baby comes out a bit stunned but this is usually resolved with a good rub with a towel), and being ‘at risk’ of something doesn’t mean you are any higher risk than anyone else unless you actually have it.
Yes, absolutely have in mind that if you start feeling like you need to push you should call an ambulance, that is totally reasonable. But having that as your only plan is foolhardy and irresponsible.

Borrow your mums car in advance. Sanitise steering wheel, gear stick, door handle, keys etc ?

I do t understand how you know you are going to have a fast labour?

Make plans for being able to get to hospital yourself and call an ambulance if you end up in an emergency situation.

You started this thread asking how to get to hospital now you’re suggesting you’re not going to make it.

Why start a thread when you are ignoring what everyone says? Get a taxi, lift from your dm or borrow your dm's car. Those are your options.

Your mum can absolutely drive you to the hospital as an exception of lockdown rules.

I'm due to go into labour soon and my mum is going to have to come to my house to take care of my toddler or he will go to hers. Either way he needs looking after. Caring for vulnerable is one of the "essential" reasons for leaving your home.

Who’s looking after your children? Your mum taking you would be fine! Paramedics are on the front lone every day, it comes with its own risks but I completely agree with everyone else saying an ambiance is a total waste of resources. You’re not the only woman to have had a quick labour and it doesn’t you can use an ambulance as a taxi service when the NHS has never been more stretched.

It's selfish to call an ambulance when you have other options. You've already decided that's what you're going to do though and no one here will clearly change your mind. I just really feel for the family who will need an ambulance but won't get one as someone giving birth decided they needed one as they couldn't be bothered to get a taxi or get their mum to take them. Such a shame.

Drama llama.

Just get a fucking taxi.

Completely agree that your mum would be fine taking you.

I'm pretty sure that an Ambulance will not pick you up because you're in labour. They are for emergencies only and unfortunately going into labour isn't quite that time of emergency. Surely as soon as you feel any niggle of labour you could ring the ward and go earlier rather than leaving it later?

Hope everything goes well. Speak to your midwife for advice.

Borrow or hire a car.

Speak to your midwife and see what they think. Hope it goes well for you!

Why would patient transport be any safer from a coronavirus perspective than a taxi? It’s still someone who is not from your household. The patient transport driver isn’t immune from it and to be honest if they spend a lot of time around hospital patients have more chance of having it than a taxi driver.

Anyway patient transport Is for pre booked, routine stuff. It’s not a service you could ring at 2am and say “come now”. Obviously a 999 ambulance would be totally out the question.

So a taxi or a relative.

Why start a thread asking for advice then completely ignore all of it?

If you think you’re going to deliver so quickly why don’t you ask about an induction? I’ve certainly known this be done for this reason before.

Because the ambulance service is so stretched normally never mind currently the chances of an ambulance making it to you in time is pretty remote if you Labour so quickly.

The entire advice you need is summed up neatly by another PP...

Make plans for being able to get to hospital yourself and call an ambulance if you end up in an emergency situation.

I'd rather family took me personally I am giving birth Monday and I don't drive therefore a family member will take me while my partner stays with the other children

What do you not trust about a taxi driver now that you did before the corona?
People who work in hospitals are likely to be exposed to the virus more often than anyone else, same as any other virus.
Look into a private Taxi and find someone you feel comfy with.

You mother can take you. You are allowed to travel for any medical need, including to donate blood, avoid or escape risk of injury or harm, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person.

Patient transport is only pre-bookable, extremely limited and doesn’t normally run on a 24/7 basis

Who is going to be looking after your other children?