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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Do taxis take women in labour?

27 replies

JFG17 · 30/07/2022 20:25

I have heard so much conflicting info about this and never even realised it could be an issue until someone brought it up.
Neither me or OH drive and have no family who lives near us.
We have friends who may be able to help at short notice but it would not be guaranteed.
Should we not be able to get a lift to the hospital, how do we approach it with the taxi company? Promise to pay for any mess made? Just not say anything?
Do we call for an ambulance? I wouldn't want to have to do if I can get there another way.
Genuinely considering a home birth to get around this. I know if I had to be admitted that transport would be arranged.

OP posts:

Remainiac · 30/07/2022 20:32

Yes. DDiL had to go in a taxi because DS1 couldn’t drive 🙄. He passed his test by the time their DC2 came along.

girlmom21 · 30/07/2022 20:34

Don't call for an ambulance.
Definitely arrange a friend or three who might be able to help and call a taxi if not.

Whatever00 · 30/07/2022 20:36

I called a few taxis when I was in labour and they refused to take me. I called loafs of people before I found someone who could get me to the hospital. Phone your local taxis and ask what their policy is. Then at least you won't waste time when the time comes. Also do a list of people you can call and leave it on the fridge. The less you have to think the better. It can be a bit overwhelming at the time. Also keep towels dotted around. Keep a change if clothes ready and Keep your hospital bag and notes by the front door. My husband had to wash every carpet in our flat because u ran around like a headless chicken when my waters broke. Also, it was much more liquid than I expected.

elfycat · 30/07/2022 20:36

DO what you would do if you have a nice-ish car with leather seats. Put an inco / bedwetting sheet down on the seat, then a towel in case there's leakage.

My waters went at home both times, with DD2 as I was calling the hospital to say I was coming in. We padded out where I was sitting and nothing spilled.

If you look competent and organised setting that out I'm sure it won't be a problem for a taxi.

freshflowers2 · 30/07/2022 20:38

I just ordered an Uber around 2am. He turned up and I got in.. We made a bit of small talk and I actually didn't bring it up, neither did he! 😆

It was fairly obvious, in that I had a big bump, a hold-all and had asked to be driven to the maternity dept of our local hospital in the middle of the night. I was having contractions every 5 mins or so (20 minute journey), and I remember just trying to breathe through them quietly.

It would have been different I'd been at a later stage of labour, I suppose.

MrsPear · 30/07/2022 20:47

With ds 1 I got a taxi. Even 12 years ago I remember the nervous looks in the rear mirror. However as I clambered out he asked if could pray as it would obviously was the wrong time - my bump was tiny at 29 weeks. I said please do. They are not all awful. I had no choice. We had got the train from work to a friends for dinner and our car was across London.

AluckyEllie · 30/07/2022 20:50

I rang the local taxi firm first and they said anyone of their drivers would take me but I had to bring something to protect the seats- I used those maternity sheet things. No problems. Bringing the baby home was fine too, I just had to provide and secure the car seat- they weren’t covered to put the car seat in themselves.

Definately don’t call an ambulance, waste of resources.

ditalini · 30/07/2022 20:57

Yes. We went by taxi with ds2 - taxi driver didn't blink and it wasn't planned.

He just got us there as quickly as he could and wished us luck.

Turns out I was in very advanced labour and ds2 was born an hour later but luckily my waters didn't break until a few minutes before he was born.

ditalini · 30/07/2022 20:58

I suspect if we'd called an ambulance ds2 would have been born at home tbh.

iwishihadaname · 30/07/2022 21:11

yes my husband is a taxi driver and he had one lady in the car who would have given birth in his car if the hospital was only a few minutes further away

broomers · 30/07/2022 21:15

@MrsPear I hope everything was ok with your baby

MyCousinDaphne · 30/07/2022 21:17

Yes, my taxi driver with DD2 went a special way to avoid bumps and when we got there went and got me a wheelchair and tried not to let my DH pay for the journey. I tried hard to make no noise all the way! I was so worried about it, but it was ideal really. I worried about it with DD1 too, but she was 2 weeks late and induced so didn't have to worry.

GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal · 30/07/2022 21:17

I got taxis in both my labours without any problems.

On my second one, my contractions were already 3 minutes apart when the taxi arrived. The driver just laughed. Turns out he was a father of five himself and felt reasonably confident he could deliver our baby if necessary!

PleaseGoDontGoAgain · 30/07/2022 21:24

Went in taxi with DS2 I was fully in labour and just threw myself in and let out a roar, he drove very quickly no words were spoken it was just me screeching and he did not ask for fare. DS2 was born within minutes of me getting out.
I have no idea if there was a policy not to take women in labour because I was in labour and didn't give a shit.

Dontfuckingsaycheese · 30/07/2022 23:07

My waters broke at 2 in the morning. My mum came round on her bike as she’d been drinking. Ds was 2 weeks early and we’d been out for a huge meal for my dad’s birthday. I just think there wasn’t enough room for him in there! Hospital was only 10 mins away. The midwife drove me. A bit naughty I know but she was an angel - the Best midwife in the unit. Also knew my mum as they worked together. I had no idea or plan how I would get there! I totally agree about getting plans in place now. When the time came I couldn’t even remember the number for the hospital and I’d ring it regularly as my mum and a friend worked there!

SleepingStandingUp · 30/07/2022 23:10

I called a taxi at 2 am with my water actively going. Put a to towel underneath me. It was fine. The pressure of sitting meant I didn't lose much in the car even though it was gushing out otherwise. And plenty of women don't have their eaters go first thing anyway

underneaththeash · 30/07/2022 23:18

Depends where you live - London you’ll be fine.

but seriously - learn to drive: Both if you
it’s a life skill.

Original poster

JFG17 · 31/07/2022 00:22

underneaththeash · 30/07/2022 23:18

Depends where you live - London you’ll be fine.

but seriously - learn to drive: Both if you
it’s a life skill.

Both of us have epilepsy so not possible.

OP posts:

DenholmElliot1 · 31/07/2022 00:36

I thought if epilepsy was medicated that you could drive!

In any case I don't see why you'd have to inform the taxi driver you're in labour. What difference would it make if they knew or not.

If I couldn't get a taxi I wouldn't hesitate to call an ambulance either although most Mumsnetters would faint with shock at the very idea 😉

How are you getting home from the hospital with your baby?

girlmom21 · 31/07/2022 07:41

I thought if epilepsy was medicated that you could drive!

It's not whether it's medicated - it's based on type and severity of epilepsy.

You wouldn't want someone with bi-annual seizures at the wheel because they're medicated.

Fupoffyagrasshole · 31/07/2022 10:14

Yeah I just jumped in a taxi when I was in labour I just booked an Uber got in and went to the hospital didn’t mention anything about being In labour.

we are in London none of our mates have cars (neither do we) so there was no other option

Original poster

JFG17 · 31/07/2022 19:19

DenholmElliot1 · 31/07/2022 00:36

I thought if epilepsy was medicated that you could drive!

In any case I don't see why you'd have to inform the taxi driver you're in labour. What difference would it make if they knew or not.

If I couldn't get a taxi I wouldn't hesitate to call an ambulance either although most Mumsnetters would faint with shock at the very idea 😉

How are you getting home from the hospital with your baby?

Taxi I would imagine.

OP posts:

Sprogonthetyne · 31/07/2022 19:24

I would be willing to take even a vague acquaintance or neighbour, if I was free. Start asking around and put together a list of anyone you know who is willing. If you have say 10 people, the chances are at least one of them would be free.

ThePastafarian · 31/07/2022 21:44

I got a taxi with DD1. She was over three weeks early and we'd been out and DH had had a couple of drinks! I just called a cab and we got in it. Didn't really acknowledge that I was in labour! It was fine. And I don't live in London - not sure who above thought that was a requirement!

Flowergirl89 · 01/08/2022 00:59

Parking is a bit of a nightmare at my hospital so I’ve always taken taxis. By my last baby I ordered an Uber and was worried he wouldn’t want to take me. It was fairly obvious I was in labour and he was so nice about it!

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