Scared that I won't be able to get to hospital

[lemons72]

DH and I can't drive. My local hospital is about 2 miles from my home and once in labour, I was planning to either get an Uber there or have my mum come up and stay around my due date (she lives 2.5 hours away) and drive me to hospital in her car.

However, with the current situation I'm concerned that getting an Uber could be difficult and that the lockdown means my mum won't be allowed to come and stay.

I'm also concerned that getting an Uber or other taxi could be a risk in that I could potentially catch the virus if a previous passenger was infected.

The friends I have nearby don't drive either and I don't know any of my neighbours well enough to ask them for that kind of favour.

What am I meant to do?

Early labour pains aren't too bad or too close together so would it be option that once your contractions start that you could walk to the hospital and then just wait at the hospital?

Early labour pains aren't too bad or too close together so would it be option that once your contractions start that you could walk to the hospital and then just wait at the hospital?

I could, although it’s a 40 minute walk. But would they just turn me away again?

Do you think Ubers will be operating by end of next month and is it safe to get one?

Ask on any local volunteer groups? There’s lots of people volunteering their services at the moment, hopefully you can find someone who would be willing to give you a lift in at short notice.

Do you work? I'm pregnant (not due until July) and my husband can't drive. One person I work with has already offered to drive me (ring me any time, day or night) to the hospital in labour, and there are a few more that I would be happy to ask. My husband was learning to drive, but his lessons have now been suspended and our local driving test centre is closed until at least the end of July - his driving instructor has never even met me and has also said that he would drive us to the hospital any time of day or night if my husband isn't able to restart his lessons and pass in time. I think if you ask around you'll be genuinely surprised how many people would be happy to help you out.

I think in normal times I might have been able to find someone local, but I worry that no one will be willing to take me given the situation we're now in, as everyone is practising social distancing.

Do you think Uber is a safe enough option or too risky? And will I even be able to get one?

I should imagine your mum would be allowed to help out for medical reasons? I certainly hope it'll still be the case soon. That said I doubt she'd be allowed in with you, just a pick up and drop off

40 minutes isn't too bad and I doubt they'd send you home if you told them you'd have to walk. My concern would be getting back with the baby- have you got a pram?

Yes I do have a pram.

Hopefully I’ll be able to get an Uber so all will be fine...

As long as your Mum isn't in the vulnerable category, she's allowed to help you for medical reasons as you are a vulnerable. I would suggest having either her or a friend to help rather than an Uber. You don't know how many people have been in and out of the taxi or who the Uber driver has been around. Good luck :) I hope everything goes as smoothly as possible for you given the current situation xx

Hi,
I’m about two miles from the hospital -due mid June and I’m still planning on getting an uber. I think there are still taxis around -you just might wait a bit longer. I think we will be ok.

Does your partner drive? As you can still hire cars.

Assuming you're in London here, a lot of the cars you rent by the hour will be near where your live etc.

Volunteer groups as darkstar said.