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Original poster

So...what do you do if you're on your own when labour begins?

33 replies

EmilieFloge · 31/07/2012 08:19

I mean, if you're on your own, possibly with some smallish children ahnging around, and no one is within quick driving distance to get you to the hospital - can you actually call an ambulance?

I've just started to think about this as though we live 5 minutes' walk from the local birthing centre, it's closing down and you're not allowed to have babies there any more. And the hospitals/MLU are 45 minutes away by car, and my family live around 20-30 minutes' drive away, (including time to get themselves ready if I ring up) and my last labour was around 3 and a half hours. That's if they are at home, which means basically evenings or weekends only.

So I'm worried that I'll go into labour during the day, and they will be at work, and I won't be able to drive myself anywhere, well not a 45 minute drive anyway - and the midwife has suggested a home birth for this reason but what if something should go wrong beforehand meaning I'm higher risk, I'll just be stuck here!

So if necessary, can you just dial 999 and ask for an ambulance? I would feel so guilty wasting their time, but I can't think of any other way to get to the hospital within a reasonable amount of time.

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Westcountrylovescheese · 31/07/2012 08:19

Taxi.

Original poster
EmilieFloge · 31/07/2012 08:20

Oh and also - what do you do about children, if they are with you at the time?

Sorry if these are ridiculous questions...it is looking like a home birth might be the easiest option all round, isn't it.

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Gingerbreadlatte · 31/07/2012 08:20

Taxi. Find a company that will be willing to take woman in labour, take towels to sit on, bowls to be sick in etc.

IMO- you cannot use the ambulance service for this.

Original poster
EmilieFloge · 31/07/2012 08:22

Oh thankyou...sorry! Do taxis not mind labouring women? I'm a bit worried I'd scream/demand he stop the car/throw up on his upholstery iyswim.

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Original poster
EmilieFloge · 31/07/2012 08:22

X posts Smile

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Northernlurker · 31/07/2012 08:23

Yes of course you can use an ambulance. Just because you can give birth at home doesn't mean you HAVE to. I would go with an ambulance rather than taxi because if you have a short labour the paramedics will be a lot better at helping you than a taxi driver - and they'll make less fuss about mess in the vehicle! They won't blue light you unless you need it.

Northernlurker · 31/07/2012 08:23

Being about to give birth is a medical emergency btw. Not a waste of NHS time.

Westcountrylovescheese · 31/07/2012 08:24

I don't have a car and am 39 weeks today. Local taxi company has already been phoned to check and they are very happy to take us. They seemed quite excited actually... Phone in advance to check.

Original poster
EmilieFloge · 31/07/2012 08:24

I will have to ring round. And have £30 sitting on the shelf in the hall at all times!

I wonder if any of them would agree to do it. Things went so quickly last time that within an hour of the first contraction, they were every 3 minutes and my Mum came to take ds1 away as I was finding it hard not to yell.

the thought of all of us in a cab for the best part of an hour is dreadful.

OP posts:
Iheartpasties · 31/07/2012 08:25

yes, ambulance, some poor taxi driver wont be able to you deliver!

Original poster
EmilieFloge · 31/07/2012 08:25

West, that's lovely! Good luck!

NL - thankyou very much, I am so relieved to hear that (knowing your job, I know you know the rules - sorry, stalker alert!!)

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Original poster
EmilieFloge · 31/07/2012 08:27

The thought that this time it could take under an hour to deliver is one I had not really worked through....OMG.

If that was the case I'd be giving birth in a taxi on the way. I think that might be, erm, quite dangerous!!!

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LadyLilyWilliamSnowflake · 31/07/2012 08:27

I wasn't really worried about this sort of thing thanks a lot Grin

I was planning on ringing my MIL and DH, but what if they can't come????

ok, breathe.

Can't you ask your midwife or someone at the hospital if it would be suitable to call for an ambulance? then let me know what they say

Original poster
EmilieFloge · 31/07/2012 08:30

Sorry Ladylily Blush

I didn't mean to make you anxious as well.

I think tbh I might just try to have the baby here, because at least the MWs are right up the road so someone should be about, and not too far away - and there are always ambulances 2 minutes away at A&E if they need to call one. So unless things actually go wrong beforehand and I'm told to go to the hospital, it'll be worth giving it a try I suppose.

I think if NL says it's ok to use an ambulance then it probably is Smile

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Cheekychops84 · 31/07/2012 08:33

Im worried about this too ! I have two children and I am the only one in family who drives! They make me so mad cause the one time I need a bit of security I dnt ! We live right near hosp but due also to two quick labours I'm not walking over and I will consider ringing an ambulance! I'm sorry but if drunks and druggies can call ambulances and so call waste their time y can't a terrified labouring woman ???

readyforno2 · 31/07/2012 08:36

My dp works offshore, so when I was pregnant with ds 2 (now 5 weeks) the midwifes told me to call the labour ward and they would arrange an ambulance. I had a couple of neighbours on standby for ds1

poppy283 · 31/07/2012 08:38

Imo if you think it's an emergency then call an ambulance.

Can't bear this attitude towards labour that women shouldn't make a fuss!

Puffykins · 31/07/2012 08:38

With DC2 I didn't actually start proper labour until I had got DC1 in bed and he was asleep. The midwives said that it is quite common - apparently one's body often won't let one relax enough to have the baby until it knows that the other children are all okay. I realise that this is not failsafe, but if it happens to you it might buy you a bit of extra time? Good luck! And if in doubt call an ambulance.

LadyLilyWilliamSnowflake · 31/07/2012 08:40

That's ok Emilie, I have kind of buried my head in the sand regarding the birth this time, I'm pg with twins so when I think about it I panic Blush I know what to do because of DS, I just think that the thought of two births is really scaring me. One of my neighbours are going to have DS for me too so I'm not too worried about that.

I didn't know they could do that ready, will ask my midwife next time I speak to her

CailinDana · 31/07/2012 08:46

A homebirth is a good option but if you're not up for that then definitely call an ambulance. I know some paramedics who hate it when women in labour call them out but what on earth are you supposed to do if you really are stuck and have no other option? Calling a taxi isn't a good idea given the length of the journey and the fact that you have quick labours.

Original poster
EmilieFloge · 31/07/2012 08:48

Thankyou everyone, that's another thing actually - our poor neighbours upstairs, I do hope it doesn't happen at night! I would hate to wake them with all the noise. Last time we lived in a detached house and even then, people were calling in on their way to work, and staying to watch - the postman arrived when I was mid scream, someone opened the door, poor bloke probably turned and ran.
It was mayhem Smile

Ladylily - congratulations, that's lovely! I actually read something from another lady who had twins, a few weeks ago, who said that her twin labour was the best one by far as each baby was significantly smaller so it hurt far less. I hope that it hurts less for you.

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Original poster
EmilieFloge · 31/07/2012 08:50

Puffykins that is a nice idea, that you don't go into labour till the other children are ok. I hope there is an element of truth in it.

I know my folks will come over at the drop of a hat and look after the others, so I'll just have to have a couple of bags packed for them, so they can take them away if necessary, and a hospital bag for me just in case.

Maybe it'll all happen when the kids are at school, neighbours at work, etc etc.

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MirandaWest · 31/07/2012 08:53

I remember getting a lot a little stressed about what would happen to DS when I went into labour with DD and working out a long and complicated list of what would happen at all times of day and night.

In the end I woke up one Morning having contractions, we called DHs brother, he came and DD was born by lunchtime. Was all fine :)

DuckWaddle · 31/07/2012 09:18

If it's earlyish in labour then def a taxi (ring some companies to check they take women in labour. Only use an ambulance if it is an emergency i.e you'll be giving birth very soon. I was in the delivery ward and heard two ambulance drivers who'd just brought a pregnant woman in who was in early labour chatting to the midwives about how it was an inappropriate use of ambulances.

ItsMyLastOne · 31/07/2012 10:15

It wouldn't be inappropriate use of an ambulance given the previous quick labours and the distance from the hospital though. If you happen to go into labour during rush hour then it could be a long drive and you don't want to risk having the baby in the taxi or having to call out an ambulance to meet the taxi.

My friend called a taxi but she lives a 10 minute drive from the hospital, and that's in traffic. Totally different situation.

Have you worked out who will have the children if you went into labour suddenly and things progressed quickly? Maybe a home birth would be easier assuming you have no complications or high risk factors.

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