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Original poster

Taxi to hospital

18 replies

erichan · 31/12/2011 07:10

We live in North London and due to give birth at UCLH. As parking in London is a nightmare, my option for getting to the hospital will be in a cab(most likely).

Does anyone know good cab companies who are willing to take woman in labour to the hospital? If so, do you have names or telephone numbers of them?

I couldn't stop thinking and worrying about it so I am up from 4:30am on a New Years eve ... Thanks, everyone!!

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BellaCB · 31/12/2011 11:34

I don't know any cab companies, sorry, but I'll be doing the same as neither me nor my DP drive, and our families are a little too far away to help. Personally I wasn't actually going to tell them! I was just going to order a cab from home to the hospital, and then if they even dare turn up to find a woman in labour and refuse to take me then...! Practically, however, I will have a towel and maybe a carrier bag to hand so that I don't mess up their car.

I was in a taxi to the hospital for an antenatal appt the other day and when the driver wished me well I made some joke about maybe seeing him on the night, as I would be calling that company to take me in, and he certainly didn't say that they wouldn't drive me.

I think you are probably worrying (understandably!) when there is nothing to worry about, cab companies wouldn't dare risk the publicity of refusing a woman in labour. There's an old thread I found about this at www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/1063569-Have-to-get-taxi-to-hospital-when-in-labour-am/AllOnOnePage. And, of course, being in London if all else goes wrong call Addison Lee, they really wouldn't dare risk the bad publicity!

thebunnytail · 31/12/2011 14:37

We're in Brighton rather than London, but we plan to get a taxi. Apparently they're used to it. Let's hope so!!

DharmaCeutical · 31/12/2011 14:41

Yep, the big firms Addy Lee or Radio Taxis (black cabs) are a good bet.

Mrsrobertduvall · 31/12/2011 14:42

I had to get a taxi on my own when waters broke early...I have never seen a driver so white faced!!!

notveryinventive · 31/12/2011 14:47

I dont live anywhere near London, but just wanted to say I had to get a taxi to the hospital when I was in labour.

I was worried about this too and didnt find it to be a problem. Have a look in the yellow pages/internet to find some numbers and give a few of them a ring now to check if they take women in labour and make a note of a couple of different firms (in case they are really busy) so you can ring them at the right time. Good luck :)

ahhhhhpushit · 31/12/2011 14:48

Make sure you take a bin liner and a couple of towels to sit on. Just trust me on that one!!

Mysecretumbrella · 31/12/2011 14:51

We're in N London too and took a cab to UCH for the birth of DD. Used Radio Cabs and they were fine. I would actually recommend a black cab if possible - it was much more comfortable (clearly not the right word!) as I was able to move around more, get on all fours, hang off the handle above the door.... during contractions on the way there. Oh, the memories!

dreamingbohemian · 31/12/2011 14:58

I took a taxi to St. Thomas when I went into labour -- I think it was Riverside Cars? They were recommended by the maternity ward, they have some kind of informal arrangement with them so all their drivers are used to taking women in labour to the hospital. So you might ask at UCH, perhaps there is a firm they recommend?

I also used Riverside to go to Gatwick twice, and for another hospital visit, they were very reliable and good value.

startail · 31/12/2011 15:35

There is a cheap iBook called "Blood sweat and tea" which is taken from London ambulance paramedics blog.
He's forever moaning about being called out to pregnant women and wishing they'd get a taxi.

DharmaCeutical · 31/12/2011 17:23

yy startail - my mate is a paramedic and refers to those jobs as 'maternitaxis' Grin

FiveHoursSleep · 31/12/2011 17:32

I took a taxi to St Mary's from Willesden with DD2. I didn't tell them I was in labour. The bloke was a little too chilled out for my liking to be honest, I gave birth about 10 minutes after he dropped me off.

notveryinventive · 31/12/2011 19:43

I would tell the taxi driver. I did and he made sure he was quick. The last thing they want is to have to deliver a baby so will make sure they get you there. If you dont tell them then they may be slower. TBH not a good idea to not say anything IMO

bananarama05 · 31/12/2011 19:49

No specific help on taxi firms on afraid, but pampers make 60cm square "change mats', basically big mats made of nappy type material with a plastic backing.

My mw recommended keeping a pack handy for the car journey to hospital and I guess they could be even more useful for going in a cab. And if not, we used them loads to let dd have some nappy free time on the floor when she was little!

tiggersreturn · 01/01/2012 18:31

meadway

tiggersreturn · 01/01/2012 18:33

my sister took them to uch after her waters went. We were at my parents when mine went so used a local firm. My mother told the driver to go very slowly so as not to start my contractions (I was 33 weeks with twins).

Cinquefoil · 01/01/2012 18:35

Riverside Cars definitely will. They were suggested to us by my midwife, and I called them a few weeks before my due date to double-check - they assured me that they regularly take women in labour to hospital.

namechangerbat · 01/01/2012 18:37

Don't for gods sake by pampers bed mats / change mats they are a rip off.

Boots / pharmacy own incontinence mats. 10 for about 3.50. Done.

bananarama05 · 02/01/2012 07:05

Aha that's what I get for sending dp out to buy things, no concept of checking prices whatsoever!

Christ if boots own are £3.50 I don't even want to ask what he paid, do I?!

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