Don't have a car and paranoid about not getting to hospital in time for the birth! Any pregnant ladies in same situation? How are you planning on getting to hospital?

[Alisonjayjay]

I'm 36 weeks + 4 days with baby #2 and neither myself or DH drive! Both sets of parents don't drive either! We can't rely on friends and family to take me to the hospital when I'm in labour as they work and have small children of their own etc. Obviously I can't expect someone to leave work to take me to hospital for eg. I can't go in a taxi incase my waters break on the way and I've heard that sometimes taxis won't take women in labour. My friend recently gave birth to her third baby and she is in the same situation as me. She had to head to hospital in a taxi in early stages of labour when contractions were about 10 mins apart (obv with 3rd baby she expected labour to progress quickly) but taxi driver wasn't aware she was having contractions and hospital was only 15 mins away. The midwives sent her home as they had no beds! They told her she had to wait till contractions were 2 mins apart and phone them!! Ambulances in the area no longer take women in labour as it's not a priority unless it's a medical emergency or birth is imminent! Anyone else in a similar situation? What do they expect women to do? At the moment z I'm

Phone around a few taxi companies and see if they do take women in labour - that way you'll know who to phone when the inevitable happens. Also, speak to your midwife - she'll have seen this situation before and will be able to advise.

How did you get there with no.1?

you could buy some of those mattress protector type things to sit on in case your waters break?

I was in same situation with both DCs and got a taxi both times. Did not mention I was in labour when DP called them.

So I would say get a taxi or ask a friend or neighbour to drive you.

If you are worried about waters breaking in the taxi take something waterproof to sit on - my waters had gone with DS1 so put a maternity pad on and sat on a waterproof mattress protector in case of leaks (I did not leak!)

I had this problem but my dd solved it by refusing to come out at all and me having to be induced at 40+14!

I know you've said friends/family work but i still think it's worth asking a few of them if they wouldn't mind helping in a pinch! Baby might make an appearance in the evening/weekend and some people (with understanding workplaces) might even be able to be 'on call' for you if it happens on a weekday.

My DH doesn't drive and there was no way I wanted to drive myself! I rang the taxi firm I normally use and they said they will take labouring women but I'd have to pay for the taxi to be cleaned if my waters broke in it (which I thought was fair enough!). Once I mentioned to a few friends that I was getting a taxi, they were adamant that they would happily either give me a lift or help me find someone that could take me - people in my experience are very happy to help!

Of course, u could just go in a taxi and get into it between contractions, once you are on the way I can't see them throwing you out!!

When my waters broke I went to hospital by taxi. The taxi company were fine about it and even joked about whether or not they should avoid speed bumps on the way. :)

Sitting down seemed to act as a plug of sorts (sorry if TMI), so even though I sat on a maternity mat I didn't actually need it.

We're in a similar situation. Have a car, but there's no parking anyway at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. But there's always black cabs so I'm just planning on flagging one down. Can always use the towel in my hospital bag if things get wet!

Taxi! Sit on a towel (like you would in your own car). They don't need to know you're in labour, though they'll probably work it out en route...

We took a taxi to and from hospital first time, was sent home, took a third taxi back. All fine, drivers were great, especially the third one who drove Very Fast when he realised it would be helpful! (Baby was born within an hour of reaching hospital second time.)

I would advise:

• phoning taxi companies in advance to ask if they will take you
• have a plan for which to call and a list near your hospital bag
• sit on a towel & bin liner just in case
• not to worry about it too much!

Do you not have any friends at work that would drive you in an emergency? If not, I agree with taxi and sit on a towel/blanket.

Thanks for the advice everyone. A taxi it is then! With DS I was also worried but he solved the problem by coming 2 weeks late. He didn't want to come out so I was booked for an induction and we managed to get a lift to hospital. Maybe this one will be the same!