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Original poster

Has anyone had a taxi refused to take you to hospital?

36 replies

Sastra · 10/09/2012 22:39

I'm starting to ramp up my worry about how I'm going to get to hospital in labour as we dont have a car and there's no one we can ask for a lift.

I asked my midwife and she said call a taxi and just don't tell them you're in labour. Err, im pretty sure they could guess, and then I suppose they could refuse to take you? Then what would you do?!

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TitsalinaBumSquash · 10/09/2012 22:40

Call a few local firms now and ask their policy on it, then you'll know which one to call when the time comes. Smile

SweetPea3 · 10/09/2012 22:40

I heard that not all taxis are insured to carry women in labour and was told to ring around and get a few numbers for cabs that are ok with it...

Greensleeves · 10/09/2012 22:41

if a taxi refuses to take you call an ambulance.

you don't need the extra stress and worry

Original poster
Sastra · 10/09/2012 22:42

I'm planning on doing that tomorrow. I guess I'm shitting it in case they all say no. I can't believe that everyone in London either has a car, a lift or walks to the hospital! There must be another way Sad

OP posts:
MrsMiniversCharlady · 10/09/2012 22:43

Why not ask your midwife what other women do - perhaps she can recommend a firm. Calling an ambulance is not appropriate unless you have no other alternative.

Original poster
Sastra · 10/09/2012 22:45

I did ask the midwife - she said call a taxi and don't let on you're in labour - hence the stress!

OP posts:
RTchoke · 10/09/2012 22:45

I took an Addison Lee cab to hospital. They just asked me to put a plastic bag covered in a towel on the seat in case my waters went.

MrsMiniversCharlady · 10/09/2012 22:46

Ah, sorry, I didn't read your OP properly! Phoning round in advance seems a good idea.

LetsKateWin · 10/09/2012 22:47

We phoned a few in advance to check. Addison Lee laughed when DP asked if they would take a woman in labour.

BeattieBow · 10/09/2012 22:48

I phoned a few local firms beforehand and they all said it was fine - I'm in central london and there's no parking at the hospital so a lot of people near me get taxis in. In the end I did get a taxi to hospital and gave birth 30 minutes after I got there - so I was in pretty established labour in the taxi! Poor taxi driver kept making determined conversation with DH about traffic and things. while I swore at all the red lights.

I did worry about my waters breaking in the taxi, or throwing up or something, but it was fine.

Original poster
Sastra · 10/09/2012 22:49

Did they laugh because it was a yes or no ??

OP posts:
BeattieBow · 10/09/2012 22:50

wheareabouts in London are you Sastra?

Original poster
Sastra · 10/09/2012 22:52

Crystal Palace, and I'm booked into Kings, about 5 miles away!

OP posts:
SweetPea3 · 10/09/2012 22:53

Copied from another thread:

For anyone in London - I rang the major firms to ask their policy on taking labouring women.

Addison Lee said no, for health and safety reasons.

ComCab said yes, no problem, but to mention that you were in labour when calling - and they offered that I could set up an account with them, then I would get priority over non-account calls, and could pay by credit card in case no cash at the crucial moment.

Dial-a-Cab said they would not refuse to take anyone whatever the situation, but they would recommend calling an ambulance - think the ambulance service might have something to say about that!

So ComCab gets my vote!

Original poster
Sastra · 10/09/2012 22:55

That's interesting sweetpea! I've not heard of ComCabs so I'll check them out.

OP posts:
BeattieBow · 10/09/2012 22:56

oh, I'm in N London - but I phoned several local firms and they were all happy to take a labouring woman.

Original poster
Sastra · 10/09/2012 23:00

I'll get onto it in the morning so at least I'll know the lie of the land. Hope I'm just worrying unnecessarily...

OP posts:
DilysPrice · 10/09/2012 23:08

I just rang my normal cab company, and sat on a towel.

ladymia · 10/09/2012 23:09

this is something i have been worried about since even before i had a positive pregnancy test! i am in SE london. let us know how you get on!

Brugmansia · 10/09/2012 23:12

Does anyone know if black cabs would take you in this situation?

BoffinMum · 10/09/2012 23:15

Yup, and I ended up having to go in an ambulance. I agree, don't tell them, and don't make any noise until you are en route!

BoffinMum · 10/09/2012 23:17

It may actually constitute sex discrimination to refuse to take a pregnant woman in a taxi ... I wonder what would happen if someone sued??

DefiniteMaybe · 10/09/2012 23:18

I got a taxi to the hospital both times, and was quietly holding in pushes whilst in them. Taxi drivers never said anything but looked very worried Grin

BeehavingBaby · 10/09/2012 23:23

One took me home from the shops to have DD3 when they really shouldn't have - kneeling on the back seat mooing etc, bonkers! Had a more civilized trip at 5ish cms to hospital in a taxi the first time. All fine, but should have put a towel down thinking about it (no leaks, but could easily have been). I now work in the maternity wing of the same hospital, still don't drive and occasionally need a taxi there and am shocked how few drivers know how to go straight there. I assumed that it would be quite common to have to take a woman there. Quite often, women are sent home from triage to await labour proper, so can be difficult to judge when to go in if that would be trickier than for someone with their own transport.