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Childbirth

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

Original poster

if all transport options fall through can you call an ambulance?

34 replies

madremia09 · 23/10/2009 17:22

hiya,
my partner works in field service so could be miles away and my friend who has offered to help out might not be available.this is the scenario.
i am alone with dd, 3.
what would you do?
no suggestions of hombirth please,its not an option
thanks

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ThisPhantomPlopsPumpkins · 23/10/2009 17:27

I don't know really... can't see why you shouldn't though, as a last resort and the baby was imminent, what other option is there apart from giving birth on the landing.

Original poster
madremia09 · 23/10/2009 17:27

dd1 was 6 hours so panicking that i will end up on my own with dd by my side!

who do i call first?
the midwife?
the hospital?
the ambulance direct?....have heard conflicting stories about this

its ageeees till i see my midwife next so cant ask and getting panicky!
thanks

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Lionstar · 23/10/2009 17:27

taxi

Original poster
madremia09 · 23/10/2009 17:36

taxi with a 3 year old? then what?

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heverhoney1 · 23/10/2009 23:31

Being a bit DURRR here but what do you expect to do with your 3 year old in an ambulance you cant do in a taxi???

pinkmagic1 · 23/10/2009 23:36

You must make definite arrangements for your 3 year old, you can't take her to hospital with you. You could definitely call an ambulance if all other transport options, including taxi fail.

JustAnotherManicMummy · 23/10/2009 23:36

You call your DH to tell him to get his arse to the hospital. You then call a taxi. The taxi arrives. You get in it with DD and your bag.

Taxi takes you to hospital where you get out with your DD and your bag and got to the delivery suit/maternity reception/midwife led birthing unit etc depending on your hospital.

DH then arrives and takes over responsibilty for your DD.

I suggest you have a list of taxi companies next to the phone ready.

If, when the babies coming you get the urge to push before you get to the hospital you dial 999.

Good luck with the birth

JustAnotherManicMummy · 23/10/2009 23:37

babies?? baby's I am assuming you are just having the one

lou33 · 23/10/2009 23:38

i called an ambulance but ended up giving birth at home as they arrived too quickly and i couldnt be moved

if you dont think a taxi would take you then call an ambulance

Original poster
madremia09 · 24/10/2009 07:16

stupid qs but not been in a taxi in uk with my daughter yet,do they have car seats or ?????

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Original poster
madremia09 · 24/10/2009 07:17

heverhoney............i meant what would happen to dd?.......midwife said something about social services having to take her but was very vague about it all.......

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sockmonkey · 24/10/2009 08:05

Legally children do not have to use car seats in a taxi in the UK.

DorotheaPlentighoul · 24/10/2009 08:12

What would happen to DD is your responsibility to organize in advance. If your friend who has offered to help may not be able to, you need to arrange a backup plan. Don't really get why you are asking, it seems obvious that having a plan for her to be looked after is your responsibility?

Original poster
madremia09 · 24/10/2009 09:40

yes i understand that but for people like me that dont actually have anyone to ask its a little harder!!.............dh works away and only one friend in area,no family.so yes its my responsibility but i cant magic people out of thin air?

so what would you do DorotheaPlentighoul?

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Original poster
madremia09 · 24/10/2009 09:42

i was wondering really if anyone else was in my situation and what they were doing,social services has been suggested if there was noone else??

im looking for useful advice?!

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purepurple · 24/10/2009 09:45

When you feel the need to go to hospital then you call a taxi if DH is not there.
Take DD with you.
Taxis don't have car seats. She will be fine with just a seat belt on.
When you get to hospital you tell them that there is no-one to look after DD. They will call Social Services and someone will look after her.
Hopefully.

Original poster
madremia09 · 24/10/2009 09:50

thanks purepurple

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BertieBotts · 24/10/2009 09:59

Yes - in an emergency your DD would not need a car seat to travel in a taxi. Alternatively you could phone round local taxi companies and find one who does have car seats.

alwayslookingforanswers · 24/10/2009 10:04

if you're some distance from the hospital as I am find out in advance how much the taxi fare would be (£15-£25 round here!) and make sure you have the money put to one side in case you do need to call one.

bigstripeytiger · 24/10/2009 10:08

Do you have any other friends? Or could you speak to local childminders, you might find one who would be willing to look after your DD while in labour.

I would definately call a taxi than an ambulance, unless you are actually pushing the baby out. For transport to hospital a taxi is likely to be quicker, because the taxi will just come and get you, but the ambulance service will be prioritising on the basis of clinical need, and so if it is simply transport to hospital that you need it might be a long time before they get to you.

singalongamumum · 24/10/2009 10:42

How about finding a local, friendly babysitter who can have your DD a few times before the imminent birth and then can be a back up call out person? You would have to pay but may be worth it... seeing mummy in pain, in an ambulance, taken to hospital and then whisked off by a stranger sounds like it might be a bit traumatic for her- of course, completely understandable if you have no other options but if it were me, I'd try to set something else up. Does she go to a nursery? Is there some friendly looking mum there you could approach?

suiledonne · 24/10/2009 10:51

Hi madre, I had a 4.5 hour labour on dd1 and went on to have dd2 in under 2 hours from first twinge to delivery so if you think something is happening don't hang around.

I think the idea of finding a babysitter locally and introducing her to your dd is a good idea but you never know you could go into labour during the night when your dh is there.

Best of luck

mosschops30 · 24/10/2009 10:57

Im sorry are you really considering using social services to look after your dd whilst youre in labour?????
(and we wonder why social workers miss things on major cases!!!)

I think you need to take some of the advice on here, phone local childminders or speak to your health visitor and ask for her advice on local babysitters, or maybe she could suggest someone. Perhaps a neighbour would be willing to step in, in an emergency.
You need to get organised and not rely on ambulance service, midwives and social services who are already overstretched

Grendle · 24/10/2009 11:03

Just wantd to reassure you that it will be OK. If you end up at the hospital alone and with your dd in tow because you couldn't find anyone to look after her then they will cope and sort you out. It's not ideal, but not worth getting in a tizz about, as it's unlikely to happen anyway -more likely your dh or friend will be able to help you. Do your best to make sensible plans and if it doesn't work out then do what seems best at the time. People are generally good at looking after labouring women and pitch in if they can .

If things look like they are happening fast and you have no-one to take dd then call delivery suite or your mw and ask someone to come to you at home to assess you. then you will at least have another adult who will help you figure out what to do for the best. Thinking straight in labour can be hard! Agree that if you need to push, phone 999.

Original poster
madremia09 · 24/10/2009 11:27

mosschops30...

MY MIDWIFE SAID IT WOULD BE SOCIAL SERVICES.

i am not happy about this that is WHY i am on here seeing what my other options are!!!!!!!!!!

and yes,services are overstretched,dealing with drunks etc

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