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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Will I need a car seat to bring my baby home from hospital? I don't have a car!

50 replies

PeahenTailFeathers · 02/03/2012 10:20

I've been told that the nurses won't let me take my baby out of the hospital when she's born unless I have a car seat ; even though they don't come down to check the seat is fitted correctly I will apparently have to leave carrying the baby in the car seat rather than the lovely, practical pram I've bought. I don't drive, I never use taxis and I really think I have better things to spend £30 on than a car seat that won't even be used once - the hospital is in Liverpool and a bus stops there that drops me off almost outside my front door. Please tell me someone's pulling my leg!

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juneau · 02/03/2012 10:23

If you won't be travelling by car then you don't need a car seat. If anyone doesn't believe you, I'd ask them to escort you down to the bus stop to watch you get on the bus!

CuttedUpPear · 02/03/2012 10:27

I don't know exactly how the nurses can physically stop you but if it's any consolation, and to amuse you until someone comes along to say something constructive, here's my story..

My friend who picked me up from hospital after the birth of DD had a Citroen DS. What these days they would call a vintage model. The suspension on these things is akin to being in a boat on a swelling tide.
Me and 3 day old DD hopped in the back and spent the 20 min journey being swished from side to side, rolling around on the back seat. The were no seat belts. It was all I could do not to drop/squash her in my efforts to stay upright.

Anyway all was well and DD is now at University so I shouldn't fret if I were you.

HTH

Original poster

PeahenTailFeathers · 02/03/2012 10:27

Thanks, Juneau. I was getting so ridiculously grumpy and annoyed about it that I havn't slept all night . I'll blame it on the hormones!

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Original poster

PeahenTailFeathers · 02/03/2012 10:28

And thanks CuttedUpPear (love the name!).

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solidgoldbrass · 02/03/2012 10:29

I remember being equally cross about this when I was PG. Some people don't use cars, it shouldn't be that hard to comprehend.

However I did end up buying a 'travel system' for DS purely because the car seat doubled as a carrycot/thing to pop him in when visiting friends.

ellangirl · 02/03/2012 11:00

If they're very strict could you borrow one from a friend just for those few hours?

AceOfBase · 02/03/2012 11:09

Why not ask the hospital? Who told you that? If you aren't going home in a car why would you have a carseat. They can't stop you from taking your own baby fgs

ScroobiousPip · 02/03/2012 11:14

What Juneau said. Sounds like someone's pulling your leg.

DarrowbyEightFive · 02/03/2012 11:31

We didn't have a car when we had DD1 but we bought a car seat for:

The times we would be taking taxis (can't rely on a taxi company having size 0 seats and TBH they wouldn't be very clean for my PFB :) )
The times we would rent a car, holidays etc
It was just brilliant as a rocker for around the house. I strapped her into it for instance while I was having a shower, so she could see me the whole time but not be in danger (v. important after 6 months when she started crawling).

The only thing to watch out for is that very small babies shouldn't be in a car seat for long stretches of time because it's not good for their undeveloped back muscles. But apart from that our car seat was immensely useful and well worth the small amount we spent on the cheapest Maxi-Cosi. And we used it for both DC and lent it out to friends in the meantime, so it certainly had a lot of wear. If you're not planning another DC you could sell it afterwards, or even try to find one on Freecycle so you don't have an initial outlay.

memphis83 · 02/03/2012 11:38

My friend had no car and lived on the road of the hospital, she had to borrow one from a friend as they wouldnt allow her to leave the ward without one eventhough as soon as they go outside they unstrapped her and put her into the pram.
A different hospital I gave birth in watched me strap ds in before allowing me to leave, Another woman on the ward had bought the first size carseat that stays strapped into the car and her dh had to unstrap it and carry it upto the ward!
Try Freecycle or carboots if you have no one you can borrow one off for the day. Or call the ward to see if they would allow you to leave with a pram?

savoycabbage · 02/03/2012 11:40

I walked home with the pram. That was eight years ago though.

Kayzr · 02/03/2012 11:41

When I had DS1 5 years ago they wouldn't let us leave until they had seen the car seat and we had to put DS1 in it. So my mum ha to go back down to the car park and get it. As soon as we got out of the ward I took him out of it again.

blondiep14 · 02/03/2012 11:42

Love DS's pear, my Dad has had a few.

I don't think anyone asked us how we were taking either baby home but I guess DH turning up with a carseat meant they didn't have to!
No checks tho.

WhereTheWildThingsWere · 02/03/2012 11:44

They can't actually stop you leaving, it's a hospital not a prison

Should you wish, you may leave at any time, in any state.

For peace of mind, contact the hospital or your midwife and let them know how you will be taking your baby home.

AnaisB · 02/03/2012 11:45

As has been said, they can't keep you and baby there against your will.

I would be open to the possibility that you might need a lift or taxi home - depending on how you are physically, but as long as you have a partner, relative or friend who could nip out and buy/borrow a car seat if necessary you should be fine.

Talk to the hospital.

TheCrunchUnderfoot · 02/03/2012 11:51

Um, they can't not let you leave. What would that be - false imprisonment, I think? They can pressure and be nasty to you, but they can't physically stop you - more fool them if they laid a hand on you, actually.

If they kicked up a fuss however I'd probably smile, hop back into the hospital bed and say fine - do you want to pass me the lunch menu - you might be having the pleasure of our rather demanding company for quite a while longer then, oh and pass me the phone - I'm calling the local paper - you won't mind if they pop in to take a few shots outside of visiting hours, will you?

Tattyhead78 · 02/03/2012 11:57

And Health Care Professionals wonder why we are all getting too fat and not doing enough exercise. No wonder if you can't leave the hospital without a car seat! I wouldn't have thought many mums get the bus home with their new babies, but you should definitely be able to if you want to (if getting a minicab means having to buy a car seat then of course it becomes a very expensive journey). Can you get a second hand travel system that doubles up as a car seat? But I'd definitely be inclined to speak to the hospital and see what their policy is. Like everyone says, it's not a prison, but you will probably have to spend hours arguing with someone if it goes against their policy, which is probably not ideal if you've just given birth.

TruthSweet · 02/03/2012 12:01

Talk to the hospital - they may even have car seats they loan out if you don't feel well enough to bus it home.

When I had DD1 (she'll be 6 very soon) we had a Britax First Class (the kind that rf to 13kg then ff to 18kg so stays in the car). We had to take D1 down in her fish tank (well a nurse pushed it because we weren't allowed to take it off the ward) while DH got the car and then the nurse watched us put DD1 in the seat and strap her in.

When I had DD3 and I was on the post-natal ward a mum and dad were trying to leave with their new baby in a Quinny Zapp - upright no recline from 6m only stroller - but no car seat as it was in the car. The mw were a bit short with them for putting a newborn bolt upright and insisted dad get the car seat before they leave.

Tattyhead78 · 02/03/2012 12:02

Oh, I've had a couple of operations at our local hospital and I was told I needed to be accompanied home. I said that it wasn't going to happen because my DH was working away and I didn't have any friends living locally, so I would either have to spend the rest of the day there or leave on my own, and I didn't really want to spend the rest of my day in the hospital catching germs. They let nme go.

Iggly · 02/03/2012 12:05

I was in no fit state to walk after having DS. We got a carseat just in case (I had planned a home birth but got transferred in).

So consider borrowing one just in case.

melodyangel · 02/03/2012 12:05

This happenend to us too. They made a big fuss about not letting us call a taxi, so I pick up DS2 and we found a phone called my parents, no car either, they came with the pram and DS1 and we all walked home together with our two hour old son on a beautiful sunny summers evening.

Have to say that in every other way the staff at the hospital were amazing.

Original poster

PeahenTailFeathers · 02/03/2012 12:09

Thanks for all the advice, everybody .
I was worried that I was being silly so I'm glad to see that some of you felt the same.
I was particularly cross because I bought a gorgous Silver Cross classic pram as a real bargain on ebay (with shiny mudguards and everything) and I've been really looking forward to putting my baby in it to come out of hospital. Which is an irrational reason to get so het up, but for some reason I'd feel that a little bit of the shine was taken off the day if I couldn't use it.

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MerylStrop · 02/03/2012 12:09

Hallo

I've had all three at LWH (highly recommend)
I know where the bus stop is. It's a longer walk to the car park. If you really can be dropped by bus almost to your door then you'll be grand.
Although you might - like me - not particularly feel like getting dressed, or being in public, or waiting for said bus.

So you might want to get a taxi, or a lift. In which case borrow a car seat. You can borrow one from me if you are truly stuck. Inbox me if you need to.

MerylStrop · 02/03/2012 12:11

ps.... weary voice of experience....is the silver cross bus compatible?
you really may not feel like walking very far at all

Original poster

PeahenTailFeathers · 02/03/2012 12:11

MerylStrop - you've made me cry a little! What a sweetie you are!

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