Getting to hospital?

[justhayley]

Hiya, iv tried to work this one out with my family today who got in a total faff which meant no conclusion was made & I still have no plan!

Basically I'm trying to work out how to get to my hospital if I go into labour early.

I'm 34+4 and am still working - & plan to be until 39 weeks.

However I work in North west London, live in St Albans & am giving birth in Watford.

If I go into labour early & happen to be in north London working or with my mum (who iv been staying with a lot as she lives 10 mins from my work) will I be able to get to Watford hospital? My nan who was always saying she would get there, today said she doesn't think it's safe for her to do the journey when I'm in labour & thinks I should just go to the local hospital which I really don't want to do. She also said a taxi won't take me, & an Ambulance won't let me go to my chosen hospital but will take me where ever is closest!
Anyone no if this is the case?

My due date is April 28th, my partners in the Army and has between 12th April - 3rd May at home for Easter :D if I go into labour between these dates there won't be a problem, but trying to plan for all eventualities.

If I'm late (after May 3rd) the likely hood is I'll go into labour at home (st albans) and get a
cab or ambulance to the hospital (Watford) and family can meet me there.

Actually writing this down has helped already lol so really only need to no if an ambulance would take me from North west London (Camden) to Watford if I happen to be more than 2 weeks early? And would it be safe to let a family member or friend to drive me there?

Thank you xxxxx

I don't see any reason at all why it's not safe to let a family member drive you there, it's what most people do after all? my husband will be driving me to hospital when I go into labour.

And if it's your first baby it's not very likely that you'll need to rush to hospital - things usually take quite a long time to get going, so you should have plenty of time to get a cab/lift home or to hospital, depending. Most cab firms will take you but it might be as well to phone a couple of local ones and double check.

Firstly, congratulations on your pregnancy.

BUT I'm a bit about your readiness to call an ambulance if it isn't an emergency.

The ambulance service don't like taking non emegency labouring women to hospital. Of course, if you're early then this is absolutely the right thing to do.

And yes, the ambulance will only take you to the nearest suitable hospital. They are not a cab company and so you won't be able to direct them!

Thank you, I agree and don't see the problem. My nan is a total worrier & because her births were very quick - (she gave birth whilst on her own within 30 minutes of contractions starting with my uncle) I think has a vision of me giving birth in her car. The journey with traffic from work to hospital would take about 50 minutes to an hour, 30/40 mins without.
I keep saying I'll have time things won't unfortunately happen that quickly but she's not having it.

If she refuses & I cam get someone do you no if an ambulance would take you to your chosen hospital or would I be taken to the local one?

Hi garlic, thank you. Think you miss understood, I really don't want to call an ambulance - don't think it's at all necessary & wouldn't want to waste resources but if I'm unable to get driven I need to have a back up plan - don't think hoping on the train is a good idea lol

You should only call an ambulance if it is an emergency. In an emergency situation they would take you to the nearest hospital. My dh works an hour away and my MW said it would be fine to call an ambulance if necessary ie labour ward tell you to come in asap.

But, there is no reason why a family member can't drive you while you are in labour.

Are you sure you want to work up to 39 weeks? You might be able to reduce some of this anxiety by finishing earlier, do you have any annual leave you can take? That way you would be near to your chosen hospital.

Your back up plan should be a cab, not an ambulance, really.

Taxis will take you. I took a taxi twice to hospital while I was in labour and actually the drivers didn't even comment, even though I was hanging off the handrail in the back with every contraction and and groaning!

We got a Taxi to hospital when my SIS was in labour and they were fine with it.

An ambulance would only take you to the nearest hospital.

With a first labour you will almost certainly have enough notice to get to hospital.

If you did get an ambulance (which I don't think you should unless it is an emergency) they will take you to the nearest maternity unit. Not sure where that would be - St Mary's Paddington?

Thanks all. My family are really winding me up about this. I'm generally feeling really calm about the whole process of labour but they are all total stress heads and are expecting me to have answers to all eventualities no matter how unlikely. When I don't they actually treat me like I'm 13 and have absolutely no clue what's ahead of me. The chances of my first baby coming more than two weeks early, & being born within an hour are almost nothing, but they seem convinced this is going to happen to me, and are getting themselves into total paddys! I'm holding my Tongue - tonight I was one more eye ball rolling away from telling them I won't tell them I'm in labour - will get myself to the hospital and call them when baby has arrived! Families hey!

I think that's exactly what you should say just then maybe they'll realise they're not helping.

I'm 32 weeks and also trying to be v calm about the whole thing - if anyone made that harder for me I'd need to say something to nip it in the bud!

Don't mean to be cheeky, but I'm assuming your nan had her babies around 50 years ago? Thinks in public transport have changed somewhat since then, and the NHS is soooo busy that ringing an Ambulance for anything other than an emergency is taking valuable resources away from those in dire need.

I think you getting a lift from a family member (or friend) when in labour would be fine. Taxi would be fine too. Ambulance, no.

I gave birth to my 1st child at 39 weeks, so I do think you're being ambitious to be working then, but I know these things always aren't avoidable.

Congrats on your impending parenthood, exciting times ahead! :)