Strange Question - But Please Help!

[Mummy1979]

Hi Everyone,
I'm just wondering of anyone knows if it is ok to call an ambulance to take you to hospoital when you're in labour??
My DS came in 3 1/2 hours and I think the next one might be even quicker... and of course we're a good half an hour drive from our hospital (in non-peak hour traffic).
I'm worried that if I go into labour while my DH is at work I won't be able to drive myself and will end up giving birth in a taxi or something?!? Eww!!
My health insurance covers ambulance, but I don't know if they can be called just for transporting you to hospital?
Does anyone know?
Thanks heaps!

[Schmickers]

Yes, you can. Most ambulance drivers will respond pretty quickly, too, cause they'd be chuffed at the idea of catching a baby...

[Rosehip_Fairy]

Ambulances should only be called out for a medical need. They should not be used to take someone for a routine appointment or to visit friends - or, as happens in some areas, for a lift almost into town for shopping.

If you are in labour there is a medical need if you feel you need medical attention NOW or in transit, so you need an ambulance. Some people may feel they're happy with giving birth in the car with just their DH there (or alone), others aren't, so it depends on if you need a medical presence. It's not right or wrong.

[bjrose]

I'd rather an ambulance officer than a taxi driver anyday!
If you can't drive yourself & DH can't get there quick enough, you have every right to call an ambulance.
I hope you & DH can get to the hospital together though.

[Mummy1979]

thanks so much for your responses. That's very good news, because the thought of giving birth alone in my car or worse, with a taxi driver, doesn't exactly apeal to me.

I hadn't thought of that Schmikers - that's probably very true! Hey, maybe if they've got a nice name I could even name the baby after them... that'd save me a lot of time with baby name books too... haha

[Jodi]

My bil is a paramedic, and it would make their day if they got to deliver a baby. He's delivered only baby in the back of an ambulance, and the mother did name it after him.

[Mother Goose]

My SIL delivered her last bub in the back of an ambulance. You definately have every right to call an ambulance if you are in labour.

On a side note - In Vic there are Patient Transport Vehicles that can help those who are unable to get to medical appointments (such as hospital clinics) due to not being able to travel by public transport or other viable methods. These are usually used by the elderly and those in nursing homes/assisted accom or those travelling from country to city and are either non-urgent ambulances (only used for patient transport and not emergencies although CAN deal with an emergency should it arise during transport) or a car. The criteria for using them can differ from company to company and I'm not sure who covers the cost (i.e. ambulance membership or private insurance). But they almost NEVER arrive on time so no use for in labour!

[satya]

They are only for emergency use. Labour in itself is not an emergency. You would have to be pretty much about to deliver one to call one to transport you to hospital. If it wasn't medically necessary (i.e. you get to hospital and are then there for hours before giving birth) you may find the health fund wont cover it.

[feeb]

Of course you can call and ambulance much nicer to have an ambo deliver baby that a taxi driver!!!!!! (also taxi driver would freak at mess in back of cab LOL)

[melham74]

yes you can In Qld your ambulance levy is now covered in your electricity bills.

[*charmalea*]

thats what i was going to say , in qld you dont have to pay for an ambo , i live about 10 mins from my hossy , is so close to us i can see it from my window , and have walked there from my house , i took about 1hr ( was 28wks pg at the time ... ) and even then the hossy have said to me "call and ambo if you are in labour , or if your waters break " ovboiusly not early labour , but ykwim.....

as they dont like you to drive yourself around , and knowing me if my waters broke or something like that i would drive myself ...i wouldnt want to burden anyone .... but i have no other way as dh is over an hour away if i need him to come home from work ... so dont hesitate to call an ambo if you feel you need to !!!

[Tobily]

Originally Posted by Schmickers

Yes, you can. Most ambulance drivers will respond pretty quickly, too, cause they'd be chuffed at the idea of catching a baby...

For sure. Makes a wonderful change for them from the usual carnage they have to deal with

I looked into this when I was pregnant with DS - because we have no family here to drive me, DH was working and I was home alone with a 2yo. Just wanted to have a back up plan and yes it's fine

[Mummy1979]

Thanks girls. I spoke to my HI and they do cover it, so I'm happy now.
Satya, the person I spoke to from my HI said they definitely do consider a woman in labour an emergency. I wouldn't call them if I was able to drive myself or if I could be driven by my husband or someone else, but if I'm home alone with my son and unable to drive I will be calling them.
Thanks again everyone for your replies!!

[jmmum]

I'd just check that health fund would cover it. They may see it as non emergency. You may need to look at ambulance cover outside of what your health insurance offers. I have private insurance as well as ambulance cover (i'm in Vic) this covers me for everything. I have been a bit of a frequent flyer with ambulance and it has not costed me a cent because I have ambulane cover.

[alice77]

Last pregnancy, our hospital told us NOT to call an ambulance only because they are apparently obligated to take you to the nearest hospital. So if that's not the hospital you're booked into that would be annoying. I don't know if this is true or not, maybe you could check with your hospital or maybe with ambulance policy?

[Snacks]

Sounds like you're all set, Mummy1979. I only wanted to add... Please, please, please don't drive yourself anywhere if you think you're in labour!!! All the very best for the rest of your pg and your birth!

[satya]

Good point Alice77. I'm pretty sure that would be correct. A friend of mine recently needed ambulance transport to hospital for major back pain and had to be taken to the nearest hospital. After being there a few hours she got transferred to the private hospital of her choice by ambo where she was for a week. Sounds like the original poster would be in a regional area seeing she's an hour and a half from the hossy so it would probably work out OK for her anyway. Different story in metro areas. Then again if you are in well established labour and need to call an ambo I don't reckon you'd care which hospital they took you to.

mummy1979 - I had a long labour so it's hard for me to see being in labour as emergency (even if they do class it as one) - it took me another 11 hours to give birth after arriving at hossy 6cm dilated and that was after 6 hours of 1st stage at home (and 12 hours pre labour). I'm sure I'd think differently if I had a quick birth like you. Best of luck with the birth and I hope hubby makes it in time.

[tsgirl]

Originally Posted by Snacks

Sounds like you're all set, Mummy1979. I only wanted to add... Please, please, please don't drive yourself anywhere if you think you're in labour!!! All the very best for the rest of your pg and your birth!

Absolutely agree! You want to do what is safest for you & ur bub and for everyone else. If you are in labour and need to go to hospital and you don't have someone to take you then an ambulance is completely warranted!



Goodvibes for the rest of your pregnancy and the arrival of your little one