I don't drive, dh is away - how do I get to hospital when I'm in labour?

[Pollyanna]

Dh is away until Sunday, and after a night of twinges, I am worrying about how to get to hospital (I am 37 weeks). In all of my other labours I have gone into labour in the middle of the night, and this one seems to be following a similar pattern at the moment.

What is the policy on getting ambulances? Will a taxi take me?

I'm sure (I hope ) that the twinges won't come to anything, but I have suddenly realised that I don't have a back up plan on how to get to hospital.

who's looking after the kids?

taxi...

taxi, friend?

If things get furhter on then ambulance by all means

Firstly, any neighbour would be absolutely over the moon to be asked to drive you to the hospital if you are in labour.

Secondly, a taxi if you can afford it is also acceptable.

An ambulance will come for you, but I don't think they'll have you as a priority so you may have to wait a while, which is probably not high on your list of priorities.

Do you have family nearby?

And finally, could whoever is going to watch the children take you?

I have a live in au pair at the moment (for another week) so she will stay at home with the children. I don't feel I can phone anyone in the middle of the night.

Do taxis take labouring women?

I got a taxi as DH was 1.5hrs away at work. Thankfully managed to drop DS1 off at nursery even though I was pretty sure things were happening.

I didn't mention being in labour when I ordered the taxi. I looked quite calm when I walked out with all my bags etc.

En route to hospital he asked me which part of the hospital I needed. So I told him. I then said "don't worry my waters wont break in your car...". He was fine and told me a couple of stories of other ladies in labour.

I did give birth to the first of my twins just over two hours later.

If you think things are happening really quickly, or you are worried, just call an ambulance. I was planning to, as last labour was also quite quick, but felt confident I could get there in time.

Taxi worked for me

honestly pollyanna, I'd have been delighted to do this for someone even if I didn't know them v well.

we had dd2's little friend over in a flash (got there with my girls in their nighties just as teh ambulance arrived..) when we thought his mum was going down with pre-eclampsia and needed a c/s.

ring up a nice cab company and see what they advise

bundle I'm assuming that I need to rush to hospital in the middle of the night, as I have the other times. Perhaps I'd better mention to my neighbours that I might want a lift to the hospital over the next couple of days (sods law, I have gone to 41 weeks every other time, this time I won't )

Althernatively, I will try the keeping quiet in the taxi approach Thanks everyone!

well, sods law says that if you mention it to your neighbours, you are almost guaranteed NOT to go into labour, whereas if you work on the assumption that there's plenty of time to worry about it, you shall be giving birth on the doorstep the very night dh goes away.

Tell the neighbours you might need them

I'm sure they won't mind as long as they have someone at home with their kids. I couldn't bear to think of one of my neighbours being on their own at a time like that either

maybe a couple of them could be "on call" every other night..

i second the idea of calling round a few cab firms and having a chat...at the very least it'll ease your mind
get some maternity mats, and offer to put them on the seat
keep us posted!

Yep first time round I screamed loudly on way to hospital when DH was driving (Sunday evening, perfect timing...), but I left it a bit late that time and DS1 was born within an hour of arriving. This time I worked on the assumption labour would be similar (no idea why, it seems not many people's are...) and thankfully was ok! About 20 mins after I got there I would have struggled to remain calm and quiet if I was still in taxi.

I have called an ambulance twice for DS1, both times in hindsight it was not necessary but at the time it seemed the only option. Both times I apologised to ambulance staff and they said "that's what we're here for" and were lovely. We did NEED to get to hospital but I could have chosen another method as was not life and death.

Sorry, rambling.

Hello Squonky btw

I am usually quiet in labour (I have been described as stoical ), but do generally have very quick labours, so not sure a taxi will take me at that stage.

I'll try to pop round to the neighbours later on.
Starlight I had heard (maybe on here?) that ambulances have the right to charge you if you aren't really an emergency?

I'm sorry but in labour, on your own is an emergency pollyanna!

pollyanna, if taxi won;t take you or it is too late, you are entitled to an ambulance.. in fact if things are progressing and your waters have gone and it is your 3rd baby, i would insist on an ambulance

is it 3rd? i lost count, i thought it was 4th!

another vote for an ambulance here!

Get round the neighbours later and explain yoru predicament. Ia m sure there will be lots fo them more than willing to get a phone call in teh night. Of, teh same if you have any friends from toddlers groups - i..e the mum could come over and get you.

Otherwise, ambulance. No point risking it. If there is no one there to help with the birth, then you would not be in a good situation even with NHS 24 and midwife on the way - you need someone else there.

If you have quick labours, yoiu need to plan for getting there quick chick

it's my 5th bundle

ok I feel reassured about the ambulance now.

@ my underestimate!
someone in my office has 5...they're not going for #6 though..

have you got girls?