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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Taxi to hospital when in labour?

22 replies

thomasina1 · 03/10/2008 14:08

We live in London and as DH doesn't drive I think our most likely option for getting to the hospital will be in a cab. I'm guessing lots of Londoners do this as parking is crap and lots of people don't have a car anyway.

Am I right? And are most cab companies OK with this? Should I go for a black cab or minicab?

Or just call an ambulance??

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superjump · 03/10/2008 14:11

i live in North London & got a mini cab to hospital around 1 am. Then had to get one home again, as they said I should labour at home for a few more hours! When we called the same firm back again for another cab a few hours later they were round like a shot & very excited for us. Should be fine!

ClosedForCleaning · 03/10/2008 14:14

Our local hospital (not London) recommended travel by taxi as the parking situation was so dire. We were calmly told "most taxi companies here are fine with taking women in advanced labour. Please bring a waterproof sheet and towel to sit on, and a bucket" (to catch vomit or the baby? I wasn't sure!). I was rather put-off by the idea - but it does suggest that it is quite normal practice. If I was you I'd call the hospital and ask if they recommend any particular cab companies.

Good luck!

Mimsy2000 · 03/10/2008 14:17

yes - defo do it. the worst that will happen is that they will chew your ear off with stories of when their wife was in labour. you will probably want to tell them to f*ck off. that's when your dh will assume his role as your birth partner and talk to the cabbie so you don't have to

Original poster

thomasina1 · 03/10/2008 14:22

Thanks for the quick responses!

superjump do you remember what firm you used? We are in Highbury so not sure if that is near you.

I have tasked DH with identifying a couple of firms in advance that would be happy to take me!

OP posts:

ClosedForCleaning · 03/10/2008 14:23

I'll bet :

When they say, "be there in five", they realy are.

They actually take you by the quickest route!

Whatever state you're in, they're still grateful that you're not pissed and in possession of a kebab.

FlirtyThirty · 03/10/2008 14:23

I probably wouldn't tell them you're in labour on the phone...but who's going to turn away a woman in labour when they pitch up at your door!
Think the plastic sheet and bucket sould like a good plan though...

lulumama · 03/10/2008 14:23

don;t call 999 unless the baby is coming NOW NOW NOW !

BabyBaby123 · 03/10/2008 14:26

I got a cab second time round - I didn't even tell them I was in labour and the driver didn't notice until I go out the cab at the hospital!

superjump · 03/10/2008 14:30

thomasina1 we were in Dartmouth Park (NW5) at the time & used a tiny firm on Dartmouth ParK Hill, sorry cant recall the name. I think we called a few days before to check they would be ok with it. I use Addison Lee a lot these days (let me know if you need number) & they are a bit more formal but v reliable - might be worth giving them a call to suss them out?

Original poster

thomasina1 · 03/10/2008 14:39

thanks superjump, I will check out Addison Lee

OP posts:

kraftwerkkittie · 04/10/2008 13:15

hey thomasina1. me in London too and planning to taxi-hop it to the hospital. I guess I'm most concerned about being in the late painful stages and lowing like a cow in the back of the cab or the driver being worried about me leaking all over his upholstery, but i hear most cab-drivers find it quite exciting so fingers crossed!

thornrose · 04/10/2008 13:18

I got a minicab and like babybaby didn't mention I was in labour! My mum was with me and talked loudly over my odd stifled groans.
Hilariously no-one mentioned it until we got to the hospital entrance and my mum said maternity unit please then he turned round and realised and looked quite shocked

Horton · 04/10/2008 14:39

Addison Lee are fantastic as a rule. I always use them in preference to local firms as they're so reliable and professional. No idea about taxis in labour specifically but just wanted to put in a vote for the wonderful Addison Lee! Good luck!

snapple · 05/10/2009 08:02

I agree with Horton - Addison Lee cabbies are fab.

herethereandeverywhere · 05/10/2009 08:33

I'm also in London (but SW). My hospital (St Thomas's) warned us that not all taxi firms would take a labouring woman. They actually had a recommended number of a firm who were ok with it so it's worth asking your hospital for a recommendation.

We're driving (when it eventually happens!) and facing the congestion charge plus £2.50 per hour parking - guess what my health in pregnancy grant is being spent on!!!

Mama2b5 · 05/10/2009 09:51

its a shame we dont get a special rate it could be a boomimg business if it was cheap and they waited just incase you get sent back in less then 10 mins off arriving! i agree about the cabs/taxi for central hospital like st.thomas's - thats where my first DD was born!2nd was in guys not ideal for so busy and no parking!!! this ones going to be in mayday s thankfully many side roads and cheaper parking, if it was central i would get a cab or a lift! parking so expensive!!!!!
Good Luck - what ever choice!

woodhj · 06/10/2009 19:11

When i went into labour my waters broke and no taxi driver would have wanted me in the back of his car, i could have filled a bath so just bear it mind.

cory · 06/10/2009 23:08

I don't live in London, but I had no car and any number of scares throughout both pregnancies, and I found taxi drivers an absolute tower of strength. One assured me cheerfully that he would be fine delivering the baby ('I've done it before'), another one told me about her own experience of pre-eclamptic fits and how everything had ended happily due to the wonderful competence of the doctors; they all seemed to have some kind of comforting story designed to show me what a wonderful maternity hospital we have and how I would be absolutely safe in their hands. Bless them! And not a single one grumbled about taking me.

MarsLady · 06/10/2009 23:13

The majority of my clients get taxis and there's never a problem. I always tell the cab that collects me that we may need to continue on to the hospital dependent on my labouring client.

Whenever I see the cabbie again I often get asked what my client had and told to send their congratulations.

A plastic bag and a towel should be enough in the cab.

hester · 06/10/2009 23:17

I got a local minicab. It was driven by a tiny aged Muslim man who studiously ignored me as I bellowed out of the window at the passing traffic (never one to keep anything to myself). But he did say 'Good luck and God bless you' as I heaved myself out, which was very sweet of him.

Don't call for an ambulance unless you really are dropping!

Eldar · 28/01/2012 14:07

Regarding Addison Lee:

FAQ section on their website says they DO NOT take women in labour (strangely enough due to their drivers not being trained to help women in labour, as though someone really needs this)
I just called their operator to confirm and they basically said the same thing - they do not take women in labour.

I do understand one can always call and just order a taxi without mentioning the circumstances but then you risk being turned away when the taxi arrives.

soandsosmummy · 28/01/2012 16:35

I didn't need one in labour (being induced 2 weeks early put the stop on that) but did need them in the middle of the night a few times when baby stopped moving. They were lovely and one man insisted on telling me how his wife gave birth in the back of his taxi. Another took me in to hospital and made sure i got to right department, insisted i was seen at once and only left when they asked if my husband would like a cup of tea!!! it was only later when they told me baby was fine that I realised i never paid him

I think either of them would have been delighted if I'd been in labour

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