UCH - parking when in Labour?

[clairemcq]

Hi All,

am 29 wks pregnant with my first and am starting to think about the logistics of when I give birth.

We are booked into the Bloomsbury birthing Centre at UCH. I think I would much prefer my husband to drive me to hospital rather than getting a cab, but I suppose if our car is impossible I will have to consider all options.

There are parking bays near the hospital but apparently they are always full. We have found a couple of car parks about a ten min walk from the hosp. Don't much fancy walking down the Euston Rd from the car park when having contractions.

Do you think its ok for me to be dropped off at hosp on my own and then husband go and sort car out? Any other UCH mums who can tell me what they did? Sorry if this seems a silly question but I am beginning to get hung up on details of the birth and would appreciate any advice!!

Thanks,

Claire x

You can't park there or anywhere nearby at any time during the working week. I wouldn't even try, tbh, unless you enjoy massive stress, want your dh to be popping out every hour or so to feed the meter, or spend your labour worrying about getting towed.

Besides, when you're in labour and travelling to hospital you want your dh to be focussing on you and not on the driving.

REally, don't even think about driving.
Get a cab like everybody else.

Hi claire- i was dropped off and then DP went and tried to park car- he failed and ended up driving home to islington and getting a cab back! I did get a bit concerned why he was taking so long! Not exactly the best when you are in labour...

there is a private car park not far away.

www.lomaxcarpark.co.uk/universitycolleg.html

but i suppose you might not get a space there given that labour is unlikely to be predictable. You could possibly ring them though and see if they have spaces and will hold one for you when you are on your way in.

If you do wind up with a minicab i suggest Addison Lee. They are so reliable and friendly. They will get you there and you wont be in some smelly old paddock basher.

thanks for those replies, dragonfly that was the carpark i was considering, you have to book in advance though so im not sure how that would work.
having considered it all, i think a cab may be the best option - everyone seems to rave about addison lee so i may try them rather than my local dodgy firms!

thanks again