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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Getting to the hospital

25 replies

Yarnie · 12/08/2008 15:21

Hi All

I am in the early stages of pregnancy and one of the things that has occurred to me is how we're going to get to the hospital.

It's not very far away, only 10 mins drive or so, but my partner doesn't drive (I do).

I just wondered whether any others had experienced a similar predicament with earlier pregnancies and what you did about it.

Did anyone get a taxi?!

Just a bit worried in case it all happens at pub kicking out time on a Friday night, or similar, and I get stranded at home!

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star6 · 12/08/2008 15:54

Yarnie - I'm in the same situation!!! Well, I'm 31 weeks now, but I drive, DH doesn't. we're only 10 min from hospital. My DH is capable of driving, so if worse came to worse, I would have him drive... but...
Here's what I have done. I put enough cash (+a bit extra) in an envelope along with phone numbers of 2 different taxi services nearby dh's work, 2 near my work and 2 near our home. I sealed the envelope shut and put an identical one in my purse and neither all the information/cash...etc. is there for when the time comes.
Important to get numbers of 2 different taxi services near both work places and home in case one says they can't get to you for another hour or something ridiculous.
I guess the other emergency option is ambulance?

star6 · 12/08/2008 15:57

sorry - I don't know why it says "and neither all of the information/cash..etc."
Delete neither... I'm losing brain cells by the second.

Original poster

Yarnie · 12/08/2008 16:05

That's an excellent idea Star6. I think I will do exactly that! Thank you so much.

I'm also concerned that lots of people to and fro from the hospital in the early stages of labour which could prove expensive and a hassle. I might just pack my hospital bag with lots of things to entertain me and camp out in reception if they try and send me home!

I'm tempted to sign up to a London-wide comcab type service so that I am pretty much guaranteed a car. DF can also drive, but he only has a provisional licence. I might get him on the insurance and start practising the drive to the hospital nearer the time. I'm just not sure about a freaking out first time father to be hopping in the car when he hasn't passed a test!

OP posts:

aurorec · 12/08/2008 16:11

Why not just call for an ambulance?
I'm 37 weeks pregnant, my hubby is leaving me all alone this weekend, and I was just thinking in case anything happened I was going to do that.

Would that be wrong? Would they not pick me up? I am about 30 mns away from hospital.

star6 · 12/08/2008 16:13

lol at freaking out first time father hopping in the car when he hasn't passed the test!

comcab service is a good idea...
I'm planning to do the same if they try to send me home. Either hang out in reception or take a walk near the hospital with DH, but thinking same with expense and hassle of multiple trips to hospital. Also, I plan to call maternity ward when I'm thinking about coming in and make sure they think I might actually be in labour... not sure how accurate this would be? (it's my 1st)

nailpolish · 12/08/2008 16:14

aurorec ambulancies are for emergencies

you will be triaged and have to wait 2 hours (possibly - on a bad day) unless it IS an emergency and you scream "the babys head is out!"

better to get a taxi

star6 · 12/08/2008 16:14

I'm goign to look into ambulance... I have no idea how they work here and when they will pick you up...etc.

PortAndLemon · 12/08/2008 16:15

I got a ComCab taxi first time round; it was fine.

nailpolish · 12/08/2008 16:16

if its daytime you can go to the gps surgery (if thats closer) and get them to check how far along you are in labour

or call your community mw

i called the hospital both times with my dds and they were pretty accruate in a "come over in a couple fo hours unless you are worried" sort of way

i was more relaxed at home

i was 30 mins away too

TheDevilWearsPrimark · 12/08/2008 16:18

You will be fine in a taxi. It won't be 'urgent' from the time labour starts until you actually have to go to hospital. (except on rare occasions)

I was at home for a further 8 hours after calling the midwife with my first. I got a takeaway pizza and watched some films.

nailpolish · 12/08/2008 16:20

i had a bath and watched films too (leanign over the back of the sofa)

id recommend a comedy - laughter brings on those cotnractions!

just dont get dh to tickle you

Original poster

Yarnie · 12/08/2008 16:21

Good to know, PortandLemon. Thanks. Bit worried about messing up someone else's car, but I imagine that will be the least of my worries! I'll take a big towel with me just in case!

I'd not bother calling an ambulance unless the baby was really on its way.

OP posts:

TheDevilWearsPrimark · 12/08/2008 16:22

p.s you will know when you are in Labour. For me it was bad period type pains that barely registered, gradually increasing with intensity. This went on for hours. I knew I was actually in Labour when I told my mum , who'd just asked how I was, to ''fuck off and get the car''.

I gave birth three hours after arriving.

PortAndLemon · 12/08/2008 16:24

I had a pile of towels (my waters had already gone). Then taxi driver got to hospital and asked which department... I thought "Hmm, I look about ten months pregnant and am leaking all over these towels... Ear, Nose and Throat?" but he was very nice so I restrained my sarcasm.

quickerthistimeplease · 12/08/2008 16:26

thread on this on the childbirth bit. Careful about ambulances- if you call one they will probably just take you to the nearest hospital, not ness the one you're booked into (prob more of a problem in London)

Original poster

Yarnie · 12/08/2008 16:27

at your taxi driver, P&L!

OP posts:

quickerthistimeplease · 12/08/2008 16:28

Devilwp- I ddn't know I was in labour. Thought had tummy ache at 36weeks and was all set to get the bus to the hospital to get checked out. Only when I got there did I find out I was in advanced labour..

Original poster

Yarnie · 12/08/2008 16:29

Thanks, Quicker, I'll check it out.

OP posts:

ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 12/08/2008 16:34

Tell the firm you are in labour and they will send a taxi driver who doesn't mind! My MW advised a taxi over driving anyway as the last thing you want is having to make your way up to the labour ward by yourself while DP tries to park! (more of a problem here in Brighton!!)

ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 12/08/2008 16:35

PS Don't call an ambulance - that is NOT what they are for unless you are literally about to give birth. They are not a taxi service.

star6 · 12/08/2008 17:03

Good to know re: ambulances.

ChocOrange05 · 12/08/2008 17:07

Based on the cost of NHS car parks these days coupled with the fact you have no idea how long labour could be - I think a taxi would be better anyway!

PortAndLemon · 12/08/2008 17:10

Kingston has free parking while you're actually in labour.

StarlightMcKenzie · 12/08/2008 17:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Theochris · 14/08/2008 09:37

Get a taxi. I did last time and it was great. Hang on as long as you can at home, then call it. Mine was great, I was on the backseat on my hands and knees and DH was in the front. Lovely driver said 'maternity, right oh' and then nothing else for the rest of the trip (no stories about his wife or the last time someone gave birth in his cab etc...) bless him. We had a pile of cash ready in an envelope like star6 says.

Shouldn't really call an ambulance unless it's an actual emergency, and they will take you to the nearest hospital.

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