Getting to the hospital when your DH can't drive

[Meandacat]

36 and a half weeks and it's all beginning to feel a bit real...

I'm beginning to fret massively about getting to the hospital on time and with minimal stress. DH doesn't drive (yet) so I'm dependent on my sister or getting a taxi. Obviously I'd prefer my sister, but she lives a 30-40 minute drive away herself, assuming that's she'd be free at whatever time I call her to come straight away in the first place. (She doesn't work but has a lot of commitments). In an ideal world, I guess that I could call her fairly early on in the stages of labour so she is primed and may even come over then. But I'm worried that I'll either call her over unnecessarily or not recognise I'm in labour in good time. (All this talk of "it feels like bad period pains" means nothing to me - I never suffered from period pains).

I live in a very small town/oversized village with only one taxi driver who does not provide an all night service unless pre-booked.

Hospital is 40-45 minutes drive away.

We do also have neighbours who have all said they'd be willing to step in, but I'm conscious that they all work & have kids that need taken care of too.

I guess I'm just looking for some reassurance from others who may have been in a similar situation that things do tend to work out and go ok. And any tips to remain calm in the meantime!

have you thought about a homebirth?

At least it means your DH can sit on the back seat with you and hold your hand a bit more. Maybe you could phone the taxi service that advertise at your hospital and ask them about it.

Hi Meandacat. I will be in a similar situation because we don't drive, but as we are in a city it shouldn't take too long to get a taxi. I'd say go for your neighbours, get a couple of their mobile numbers and have one neighbour on call on each day of the 'critical week', in case you cannot get hold of your sister. Don't worry that they have their lives, everybody needs a neighbour's help sometime, they'll be glad to play a part in bringing your little one to the world. It's OK to ask for favours when you need them! (that's my motto).

If you can drive he can drive you with L plates? I know that sounds mad but my cousin broke her arm and her DH had to drive instead (even though he didn't have a license) and they called the DVLA to check it was legal as she couldn't really grab the wheel and they said all fine as long as she was a driver and in the car with him.

If its any consolation in both my births I laboured for more than 8 hours at home before going to hospital so lots of time to get taxi / sister / neighbour etc. I knew it was contractions just they were manageable and 10 mins apart (for ages) so too early to go in.

The hospital we are going to this time has no parking so may well have to get taxi but in London thats not really a worry for me.

Also if its sudden and intense you call an ambulance.

honeyapple - nooo, no way am I considering a home birth. I appreciate the sugestion but it's not for me at this point in time. This is my first and I want anything and everything available to me. I may not use it but I'll feel reassured it's on hand. I already switched hospitals from one that had a brand new midwife-only unit, to one that is old and creaking but has the full works on site!

MumNWLondon - I had thought about that, but DH is a highly strung beast and I'm not sure he'd feel calm enough to drive me if I'm whimpering in the seat next to him. . But it's an option. And yes, it is a consolation to hear that your labour was long enough to allow for making travel arrangements. That's what I'm hoping for!

FutureMum - that's not a bad idea. Maybe I should just go round and ask them when they're working etc that week (one couple does shifts) and that way I'd know and they'd know what the potential for being roped in is. Thanks!

Get a taxi. Take a bed mat with you in case your waters break on the seat though!

Sorry just realised you can't easily access a taxi. Asking your neighbours is a good idea. Loads of mine volunteered to drive us. In the end DH drove with the L plates on!

Surely if explain the situation to the taxi driver he would make allowances?

I'd get a neighbours mobile number tbh and another for back up.

Get dh practising driving asap!!!!! My dh kindly () took an intensive driving course and passed his test TWO WEEKS before I had dc1. He had NO intention of every driving agin apart from that one journey to hospital. In the event I had a CS and he spent the next 6 weeks driving me around Revenge is a dish best served cold.....

He now drives lots having realised the convenience of a car!

Please don't worry about it, its highly unlikely on a first labour it will be too quick for your sister to make it. I would also speak to the taxi driver, to find out up to what time you could call him.

And if its that quick and intense you are perfectly entitled to call an ambulance.

I think lots of people have similarish concerns eg this is my DC3 and my concern more is what if I go into labour during the night & have to go to hospital quickly but of course have to wait for my MIL will get to our house (30 mins drive) to babysit.

I was told taxi drivers won't take you if you're in labour, but that I should call an ambulance - just explain the situation and that it wasn't an emergency as such, and they would be able to prioritise me appropriately.

a problem with ambulances is that they will take you to the nearest hospital and not the one you are booked it at. so in london if you have chosen a slightly further away hospital then no choice but to take taxi.