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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

can I drive myself to the hospital if I'm in labour?

56 replies

ARV1981 · 17/06/2015 16:28

My husband can't drive so I'm always designated driver. I'm really worried about how we'll get to the hospital when I'm in labour.

My mum lives around 45 minutes away...would she be able to get to me in time, do you think? I have wondered about having her stay at mine from my due date onwards, but if baby's really late then I think it might be too much for us all. I don't think I want her at the birth, as she tends to get overly emotional and I think she might just stress me out!

My husband says his mum could drive me (she's around 20 minutes away) but, I'm not sure I want that. She's just bought a new car and if I spoiled it with leaks then I'd feel terrible, especially when she comes to sell it! My husband says I shouldn't worry about that, But she's quite precious over her things, so I think she would be annoyed (but I don't think she'd say anything). I definitely don't want her at the birth though. That's for sure.

It would be so much easier to drive myself. Would this be a problem, do you think? Would I be able to drive home afterwards?

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IKnowRight · 17/06/2015 16:56

Unless you have a really quick labour you should have time for MIL to get there. We waited 2 hours for my IL's to get to us so they could have dd1 before I went off to have dd2. Is there anyone else you could ask to drive you, neighbour, friend etc. I'd be more than happy to do that for someone I knew even if they were'n a close friend so long as they sat on a bin bag and several towels

If a taxi company won't take you/can't get to you in time and you really can't face calling MIL, call an ambulance. Please don't do this. We once had to waut half an hour for an ambulance for dh who was in a diabetic coma, partly because people think it's OK to do this.

Original poster

ARV1981 · 17/06/2015 16:56

It would be enormously helpful if my husband could drive, but he really can't be arsed. It's the one thing I wish I could change about him!

OP posts:

LikeASoulWithoutAMind · 17/06/2015 16:57

A bin bag and a couple of bath towels would protect the car seat pretty well if you do end up calling MIL

Jinglebells99 · 17/06/2015 16:58

Could your husband do one of those intensive driving courses where you have lessons for a week then take your test? My friend whose partner didn't drive when she was pregnant has never learnt! Two kids and 15 years later, it's s complete pain for her, as she runs herself rugged driving the kids and him everywhere. We live in a rural area where public transport is limited.

Sidge · 17/06/2015 16:59

Please don't call an ambulance unless there are complications such as bleeding or you are unwell. Paramedics refer to labour call outs as "maternataxis" and it is a costly (£250+) and unnecessary taxi for the NHS. That is not what they are they for.

Taxi firms will take you, I wouldn't tell them you are in labour though! Or mum or MIL - just put a bin liner and some Pampers mats on the seat if worried about fluids.

Lancelottie · 17/06/2015 17:00

What's the plan for if you do have a c-section and can't drive for 6 weeks? Are you somewhere with reasonable public transport or are you going to need rather a lot of taxi fares for a while?

Original poster

ARV1981 · 17/06/2015 17:00

I won't call an ambulance, I agree, they're for real emergencies. I'm not sure about having MiL there at the birth. I just want my husband there.

OP posts:

DinosaursRoar · 17/06/2015 17:01

he really doesn't need to have passed his test by the time the baby comes, as you will be in the car with him 'supervising' he does need to be able to safely drive it, and you do have time to sort that if he is willing to try. If you can afford the lessons, I would say it's rather selfish of him to refuse to try as esp once you do have DCs, it's going to be unfair that you are always the one who has to do all the running around after them.

But look at adding MIL to your insurance, it would fix this problem...

DinosaursRoar · 17/06/2015 17:04

The 6 week thing isn't true anymore for most c-sections, usually you are able to drive as long as your midwife has said you're fine to do so and called your insurance company to tell them, I was driving 12 days after my c-section.

Original poster

ARV1981 · 17/06/2015 17:05

I didn't know that you couldn't drive after a c section. I don't have a plan. We live in a city though and 5 mins walk from the train station so could get most places if I needed to without a car (did plan on going carless before getting bfp!) Not ideal, but I suppose I could manage.

OP posts:

badg3r · 17/06/2015 17:07

Everyone is different but once my contractions started there was no way I could have driven. Get a taxi. It's the safest option.

badg3r · 17/06/2015 17:10

Also please don't call an ambulance. As we were told by the midwife, labour is a normal life event not a medical emergency and the only time it is acceptable to call an ambulance is if you can see the baby or are actually pushing it out

GlitzAndGigglesx · 17/06/2015 17:12

Seeing as you're advised to go in once contractions are small minutes apart there's no way you'd be able to drive. I was wriggling and uncomfortable in the passenger seat there's no way I'd have driven (not that I can anyway). My sister got a taxi and the driver just said please don't let your waters go but they had gone long before anyway

Original poster

ARV1981 · 17/06/2015 17:14

I'll ask MiL if she's ok with it first. I think she will be but it seems like a big assumption to make! I don't mind her driving my car at all.

Husband won't learn to drive. I got him £70 worth of lessons for his birthday last August as I thought it was about time he sorted it out and got behind the wheel, but he's only had three of the lessons I bought him in all that time. I'm really disappointed in him to be honest. I feel like he's letting me (and the baby) down, and I've spoken to him about this several times, but it's pointless. He just doesn't seem to care that it bothers me so much! Like I say, one thing I'd change about him!!! He is a great husband except for this.

OP posts:

milkysmum · 17/06/2015 17:17

I was in a similar position to you with my first dc but dh was part way through learning to drive so he did drive me to hospital and I was in the car as the 'licensed driver' if your dh can't drive at all get a taxi.

LovesYoungDream · 17/06/2015 17:38

I suggest either getting a taxi or asking someone to drive you. As pp mentioned, each birth is different, but in my own experience, I wouldn't have been able to drive once active labour kicked off and definitely not after either birth (for weeks) . Most hospitals have a policy of only allowing one birthing partner in the labour room so send the driver home. First labours can take a while so try to relax and focus on yourself and your baby.
My fil drove me to the hospital and my dh met me in the labour room because he had been at work during the start of my labour. He was still at the hospital for about 5 hours before our baby was born.
Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy and the arrival of you beautiful baby

fanjodisfunction · 17/06/2015 17:39

I had the same problem but I was staying at my parents first time I went into labour so my dad dropped us off at the hospital.
second time I was induced so dad dropped us off again. if that wasn't going to be, we were going to get a taxi and have a spare Â£20 to give the driver in case I made a mess.

BrucieTheShark · 17/06/2015 17:40

Agree with everyone - if you're capable of driving then you would probably get sent home anyway. Ime they only want you in when in excruciating agony, if then. Bastards

Branleuse · 17/06/2015 17:43

driving yourself to hospital when in labour, would be an incredibly stupid thing to do. What if your contractions ramped up significantly on the way?

Have you got other children? Im assuming you dont know how quickly labour can ramp up in intensity?

Can you ask for a homebirth if youre worried about getting to hospital

tiggy2610 · 17/06/2015 17:50

I drove myself to hospital but had a VERY quick labour. I was only heading to the Maternity Assessment Unit to get checked over after a bleed and by the time I arrived I was 6cm dilated and wheeled straight into the delivery suite. I was only 36 weeks so wasn't expecting to actually be in labour.

Couple of towels in MiLs car will do the trick, or offer to pay for a full valet!

Alanna1 · 17/06/2015 17:56

No! I had easy labours both times, but.... contractions are tough. I couldn't drive through one!

PotteringAlong · 17/06/2015 17:56

Definitely check about the c-section. Your insurance will have rules. I know people who have been driving 2 weeks after a section; I know one person who took 7 weeks to be able to drive. It might be worth having a chat with your DH in case he thinks you will just be able to drive.

MissTwister · 17/06/2015 18:17

My NCT was saying that my partner shouldn't even drive me and we should get a taxi! I think the thinking was he'd be too distracted.....

girliefriend · 17/06/2015 18:25

The not driving thing with your dh would drive me bonkers! I think you will find this gets more annoying once the baby is here as well. Does it not bother him that he can't drive his own wife to hospital? I actually think that is really selfish.

You can't drive yourself to hospital in labour, no way.

I had an emergency c.section and was told not to drive for at least 6 weeks. How are you going to get home once the baby is born? You will need to check the baby car seat you have will fit in who ever gives you a lifts car!! I personally wouldn't want to take a newborn home in a taxi.

kickassangel · 17/06/2015 18:27

I ended up being in hospital for over a week. The parking would have been hundreds of pounds.

But plastic and towels would have been enough to protect the car seats. A bucket in case you're sick. And someone can drop you off then leave.

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