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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

How do i get to the hospital?

44 replies

misboo · 27/02/2008 10:50

How did you get there when you went into labour?

Last time my dad drove me in but he may well be in london this time. I wouldn't feel safe with either my mum or in-laws driving me in (definitely not!)as they would definitely be distracted and i don't think a taxi would feel too safe either. What other options are there? Is there generally some sort of hospital transport?

Or should i get the bus? It does go from the end of my road.....

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maxbear · 27/02/2008 10:56

Surely a taxi would be far better and more private than a bus. Why do you not feel safe with a taxi?

Peachy · 27/02/2008 10:58

Unless its an emergency tehy'll expect you to get yourself there, ambulances for emergency use only I'm afraid (didnt used to be in aprents generation).

Wouldn't go on bus! Are you a first timer perchance.....

Peachy · 27/02/2008 10:58

Oh no see you're not!

Can you imagine contractions, waters breaking on a bus? really?

Original poster

misboo · 27/02/2008 10:59

I was only joking about the bus! Taxis drive really fast IME and i suspect a woman in labour would possibly distract them and only speed them up!

I think i may have to get my dad on call as a driver - it's only a couple of hours from london!

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BroccoliSpears · 27/02/2008 11:00

My SIL tried to go by taxi but every firm she called said no and told her to call an ambulance. She got a lift with a friend in the end.

Original poster

misboo · 27/02/2008 11:00

Waters breaking on a bus would be funny in a film, i suspect not so great in RL!

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Blocky · 27/02/2008 11:00

I was advised by the matenity unit at my hospital not to mention you are in labour when booking a taxi otherwise they can't/ won't take you. Something to do with insurance?

Original poster

misboo · 27/02/2008 11:01

I reckon they would guess as soon as they saw me Blocky, judging from last time!

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Blocky · 27/02/2008 11:03

If you're not ok with your mum or MIL can a friend not take you? To be honest - they'll be over-cautious about getting you there safely and won't have the time to be distracted?

ephrinedaily · 27/02/2008 11:08

I got a cab to the tube station and didn't say anything about being in labour, cab was fine. I was in very early labour but being on the tube still felt a bit weird.

MuffinMclay · 27/02/2008 14:13

I took a taxi to the hospital at 40+2 weeks, along with my hospital bag. I wasn't in labour, but was going in for day monitoring and was told to bring the bag just in case. The driver took one look at me and the bag and said he couldn't (or wouldn't) take me if I was in labour.

Mw and hospital both said to call an ambulance as and when things kicked off for real (irrelevant in the end as I was admitted for observation and stayed in 2 days later). Policies on amulances might vary from area to area though - worth asking the advice of the hospital, perhaps.

Bramshott · 27/02/2008 14:16

Homebirth?

MerlinsBeard · 27/02/2008 14:24

lots of our cab companies won't take women in labour.

hosp advises ambulance if needs be

Mintpurple · 27/02/2008 17:58

if you are in early labour, try for a cab or get your family to bring you in, as you may still go home and the family have to get to the hospital somehow.

But if you are in stronger labour then call 999 and get the ambulance.

The problem with the cab co is that if the woman delivers in the cab, the mess can be fairly horrific and the cab is off the road for a day for cleaning / new seat

Original poster

misboo · 27/02/2008 18:50

Bramshott i am very tempted by homebirth, DP less so as he would be cleaning up after! Also he worries about being away from hospital if there was any problem, although we are only 10mins away by car normally.

I will ask the hospital/midwife about transport options (DP doesn't drive).

Mintpurple at new seat!

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lottiejenkins · 27/02/2008 18:58

I've just remembered watching the On The Buses film when Olive went into labour and Arthur jammed her in the sidecar of his motorbike, when they went round the corner the sidecar broke off and they ended up lifting the sidecar and Olive onto Stan's bus and getting her to hospital that way! Hope that doesnt happen to you Missboo!!!

tyaca · 27/02/2008 23:53

sorry for the hijak, but i did not know that about the taxis.

is that really true? i am at st thomas in london and the parking is extortionate - DH and i have done the sums (inc congestion charge) and taxi seems to make the most sense

mom2latinoboys · 28/02/2008 00:36

I drove myself.

Granny22 · 28/02/2008 00:41

My daughter's DP drove her in but as he was still a learner he had to summonse us to be his qualified driver to get home again!

EffiePerine · 28/02/2008 00:44

I went by taxi and it was fine - didn't say I was in labour while booking tho (DH doesn't drive either). Check with you mw/maternity unit if you're worried and get the numbers of some local friendly taxi firms.

PortAndLemon · 28/02/2008 00:48

We booked a black ComCab cab and there was no problem. The driver even asked me which bit of the hospital I wanted -- I looked at blatantly-full-term belly, stack of towels I was sitting on (waters had gone at home), etc. and fought back the temptation to suggest "Ear, Nose and Throat?"

In non-labour situations too we've generally found booked ComCabs less awkward about who they will and won't take than other cabs.

readytopop · 28/02/2008 00:49

homebirth. and it isn't really that messy, the mws clean up that part.

He would have to provide sustance afterwards. And wash up ALL their empty tea cups!

Bramshott · 28/02/2008 11:05

I mentioned homebirth mainly because I gave birth in our car (and no, it really wasn't that messy at all!), and in hindsight, I wished I'd stayed at home!

wickedwitchofthenorth · 28/02/2008 12:35

I drove myself to hospital at 2am when contractions were coming every 6 mins. Gave birth 3 hrs later!! Wasnt exactly what I had planned but managed to get there in 1 piece!! Hospital only 6 miles away and I knew that by the time I'd arranged a taxi or got someone else to take me I could have done it myself.

Also makes for a good birth story

Original poster

misboo · 29/02/2008 09:05

lottiejenkins that would probably be exactly what would happen to me and DP!

readytopop do the midwives really clean up all the yuck for you?! Most tempted now, will have to look into it...

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