Have any of you drive yourself to hospital in labor before?

[44npregnant]

My "emergency" friend has a bad habit of not answering her phone. Which has left me a little worried now that I'm getting closer to the due date. If necessary, have any of you with prior experience drive yourself to the hospital or is an ambulance required?

 

[Bunnikins]

Hmmm no i didnt but i think i could have done it if it was still the early stages, the later stages definitely not!

 

[baby1wanted]

I went to the hospital twice in labour.
First time was 2-3 cm dilated and sent home to carry on at home, was with DH but could have managed the drive myself.
Second time I was 6-7 cm and no way I could have driven!! Ambulance is always your backup if needed, don't take any risks

 

[Tasha]

If you dont have any one to drive you, then I would get a taxi. Driving in labour could be dangerous and calling an ambulance really shouldnt be done unless absolutely needed (like you're in labour and think the baby will be there real soon, heavy bleeding or being in pre-term labour)

 

[AC1987]

I probably would have last time I was in labour and I had my license as it didn't feel like that bad.
But yea if you're in the later stages you wouldn't be able to.

 

[darcie]

Depends how far into labor I would of been able to drive up until about 4 hours before I delivered but labor can change so quick I really wouldn't recommend anyone driving if you get a sudden painful contraction it would be dangerous. I agree with pp ring a taxi and take a bin bag to sit on incase your waters break. If your friends not very reliable could you choose someone different x

 

[susywoosy]

I haven't driven myself but a close friend did when she was approaching later stage of labour. Her husband, who is originally from Turkey and not long moved to the UK, would have made the drive but my friend didn't trust him to follow our road signs!! Thot it safer to make the 20 minute drive herself lol x

 

[lkkha]

I have twice, but both times didn't actually realise I was I was in labour! With my 3rd I only went to be checked as I was having odd tightenings and was 36 weeks so went to be checked, turned out to be 6cm dilated and she was born 2.5hrs later! Then again with my 4th only went up to be checked as having similar tightenings and worried because of how my previous labour had been and was found to be 4cm dilated and baby born 4 hrs later x

 

[Michellelove]

i think calling a taxi should be fine... im doing that also... since my dh doesnt have a car right now...

 

[Misscalais]

Definitely not in active labour. I couldn't sit still lol early labour yes but definitely not well and truly into labour.

 

[LisK]

I drove myself but I was in early labor. My water broke and my contractions weren't bad yet.

 

[xdxxtx]

I never have, but I could have. With my first, I wasn't contracting when my water broke, and I had plenty of time before they started. With my second, I was contracting for a few hours before my water broke, but I was still focused and just fine. However, there's always the chance of labor suddenly getting really heavy, and you don't wanna be alone in a car if that happens...

 

[wishuwerehere]

I'd call a taxi. No way could i have driven myself to hospital! (Very quick labour)

 

[DrMum]

I'm just wondering if it might invalidate your insurance? I honestly have no idea, but (god forbid!) something happened, it would be bad enough to be in labour in those circumstances, but then to have no car insurance too!! I'd take a cab!! Don't think I could have driven anyway. Could hardly talk never mind move in any coordinated way!

 

[Rhi_Rhi1]

Not really a great idea I don't think; dangerous for you not to mention the other road users! One nasty contraction and you might find yourself in a ditch... sorry to sound over the top but labour is a funny thing, you could get into your car with mild period pains and be in agony 5 minutes later! Then what?

 

[sun]

I definitely could have driven myself the first time since my water broke prematurely and I wasn't in full-on labour. So no problem (but I didn't have a car). Last time I also could have I think, even though I was pretty far along (gave birth an hour after arriving) - but it would have been safer to take a cab!

When I took a cab with #1 I brought a rolled towel with me since my waters were still leaking.

 

[LaDY]

I don't think I would dare! Taxi or ambulance I would call probably x