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Original poster

Long taxi ride in labour

23 replies

Doublegloucester · 22/02/2018 14:49

If I go into labour whilst dh is at work, looks like I might need to do a 45 minute taxi ride to the hospital! Has anyone done this? It will be dc2 and I really don't want to give birth in a random minicab!

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Sammilouwho · 22/02/2018 14:52

Id check with your local taxi company, Ive asked a few of mine (I'm due next week) and most won't take labouring mums and 2 of them will only take if you are willing to pay £20-30 extra. I imagine it's in case you make a mess.

Eastend2015 · 22/02/2018 14:54

Uber took me, taxi ride was 30 mins and while not comfortable it was fine!

MaverickSnoopy · 22/02/2018 15:13

I've not done it but it was my plan b with my second labour last time. The way I thought about it was that time passes really quickly when you're in labour so it wouldn't feel like 45 minutes.

Have you discussed this with your midwife?

GummyGoddess · 22/02/2018 15:17

Maybe if you go in straight away it might work. A friend was not able to actually get into a car as she left it a bit too late, and an ambulance had to be called.

Dreamingofkfc · 22/02/2018 18:00

Have you considered a homebirth?

blinkineckmum · 22/02/2018 18:15

I couldn't have done this in either labour. Dc1 was back-to-back and the pain was excruciating from the beginning. Dc2 was born too quickly. Ambulance.

Heatherbaby · 22/02/2018 18:24

The process takes quite a bit of time if this is your first pregnancy. It's really unlikely you will go from 0 to 100 so quickly. You will have time to decide what to do.

My chosen MLU was 30 mins drive and I preferred labouring in the car than the waiting room that's for sure. The car is a good distraction and the time is distorted so you can't tell how long you're there.

Call ahead to make sure they don't let you down in your time of need. However if it does progress quickly you can always call an ambulance! Good luck

Original poster
Doublegloucester · 23/02/2018 08:47

Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately I need consultant care and the nearest hospital is 45 minutes away. This will be my 2nd labour, the first took 11 hours.

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KadabrasSpoon · 23/02/2018 08:51

I'm shocked at the ambulance advice. I actually did need one as was haemorrhageing and needed an immediate c section. The paramedic said about how stretched they are and they have a policy not to turn up for maternity unless it's an emergency.
You could call triage and if they choose to call an ambulance then fine but don't go calling one yourself. I'm a bit Shock at all the suggestions.

Bobbiepin · 23/02/2018 08:54

Speak to the midwife and talk about going in at the first signs. They are stretched but they also won't want you giving birth in the back of a taxi. Knowing you have a long journey they are more likely to take you in early, especially if you are consultant led.

usernamegoeshere · 23/02/2018 08:58

I don't drive so had about 45 mins taxi ride in labor, it was absolutely fine, the driver didn't mind at all - I took a plastic bag to sit on just in case!

Princesspinkgirl · 25/02/2018 18:57

Can't your other half make sure he's with you?

I would call taxis and ask 45 mins is a long time id say if you need to use one
Go and buy pampers disposable changing mats or bed mats for sitting on during the journey
And a blanket baby wipes and anything else you'll need to hold urgently id also suggest sitting in the back of taxi for more room and at the start of the journey id offer a extra £30 incase of accidents but discuss all requirements with taxi firm 1st

FranticallyPeaceful · 25/02/2018 19:04

Depends how in labour you are. Ambulance for emergency labour (depending on your areas rules about it).... otherwise bring some puppy pads to layer the taxi with - i would also recommend Uber. As PP said though, given the time it takes to get there they’re much more likely to take you in earlier.
I’ve been wondering this myself. If I’m up north then it will take me 30 mins to get there, down south in central London we have an apartment but not registered to a hospital there so wouldn’t have a clue where we would be going

NapQueen · 25/02/2018 19:06

Taxied to hospital with both of mine. Was fine, I rang round a few companies in advance and checked whether they would take me and all said yes.

HereWeGoAgain456 · 25/02/2018 19:49

Does he not have enough time to get home? Surely you won't be getting in a taxi the minute contractions start? Maybe once they do start DH could come home (work from home?) so that he's there for when they do ramp up. My contractions were every 2 minutes from the beginning but we still didn't leave for the hospital for about 40 minutes as it was the middle of the night and I needed to get dressed which took a while as had to keep stopping for contractions! Wink

Colleague of mine was told no from her taxi company (in case her waters went in the car) so I would double check if that is your back up plan.

Original poster
Doublegloucester · 25/02/2018 21:09

Thanks all for your replies. Unfortunately dh can't work from home. I have maternity seat protector things so will defo bring those, and will call around in advance. In response to an earlier pp, no I haven't discussed with my midwife - may not see her now until I've given birth.

I think the earlier I go in, the better. The pain from the contractions last time was awful, I made so much noise! Would feel awkward with a random man driving me!

Waters breaking was my first sign of labour last time so yes, will have to take care with any potential leakage :-s

There is an MLU 5 minutes from my house so I did consider getting a much shorter taxi ride there first and waiting for dh - my condition is pretty borderline to require consultant care and they have an ambulance on standby if anything happened. Maybe I should discuss this with them before things kick off!

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FrankiesKnuckle · 25/02/2018 21:21

@FranticallyPeaceful you'll have a wide choice depending on exactly where you are - Tommies, UCH, St Mary's, RLH .... bear in mind these units are nearly always operating at capacity. May be worth contacting the delivery suites most local for a heads up.

Callamia · 25/02/2018 21:28

The MLU will need you to be referred for them, and for them to accept you won’t they? I don’t think you can just pitch up.

It’s a fine line between getting there too early and taking slpwing everything down, and waiting at home for ages for just a bit too long - 45mins is a long journey in labour.

Any friends who might help?

KadabrasSpoon · 25/02/2018 21:36

A tip I got was that puppy mats are lots cheaper than maternity mats and just as good for sticking on a car seat, bed or whatever. I know a lot of people use them when potty training. So get a pack of those for the car or taxi.

KBLondon · 26/02/2018 20:40

I used Uber for a similar length journey and was really impressed with how all my drivers handled it (I had to go to the hospital 3 times during my ridiculously long labour). Most of the drivers were fathers themselves and entirely unphased by the fact that I was in labour. I did sit on a large towel layered on top of a plastic rubbish bag though so I wouldn't make a mess.

Lunde · 26/02/2018 20:44

How long would it take for dh to come home and collect you?

Original poster
Doublegloucester · 02/03/2018 23:07

Thanks for the replies, sorry I haven't been able to reply. Thankfully dh has now finished work so it looks like he can now drive me, woohoo!

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