[Onemagicmummy]

Buy a new car seat.

we dont drive, we cant, neither of us learned to drive.
we dont own a car.

but with each of my hospital births i had to get a car seat just for the trip home, it was and still seems an awful waste.

so this time i am planning a HB, so i dont expect to need a car seat, BUT what if i have to transfer?
how the heck do we get home?

just one more reason to have a homebirth i think.

kiz

 

[Jilian]

Do you have a leftover carseat from last time just in case? how do you get to pedi appointments/etc? If you take the bus all the time then you don't need a car seat but if you take a cab or have a friend drive I'd get a carseat.

 

[nannymom]

Do you have a friend or someone who could run out and buy you a car seat while your in the hospital if you get transfered? Or could you buy one and keep it in the box and then just have your partner return it after your homebirth?

 

[Spring Sun]

How do you drive around even in cabs then?

Did you know that around 11 newborns die each year in the US on the drive home from the hospital bc they are not in a carseat? A small number compared to how many babies are actually born every year, but each death is tragic and needless.

 

[thorn]

don't you have any friends who could loan you an infant seat?

 

[thepoet]

no. you don't need a car seat if you've having a home birth.

I'm assuming you rely on public transport to get around or walking. If that is the case, then you're fine.

I don't want to put any negative energy out there, however, if there is an emergency I'm sure you could deal with the issue at the time.

 

[puddleduck]

I'm sure if you needed one to get home from hospital you could borrow one.

 

[leighann79]

I know that our local health department has free or very cheap car seats available. You could check out your area and see if there is anything like that you can use.

 

[twirlygirl]

You only need a car seat if you're taking the baby home in a car.
If you don't have a car then I'm guessing you'll be getting home some other way if you do end up in hospital. If someone is giving you a lift then you will still need a car seat.
I would try to borrow one provided you can trust that the seat hasn't been in an accident.

 

[geiamama]

I notice that you're in the UK. If you're anywhere near Gloucestershire there is a Cheltenham company that rents baby items that are used for a very short time like moses baskets and car seats. I can't for the life of me remember what it's called but I'll try and get back to you with it...

Hope that helps.

 

[texaspeach]

do you not use a seat on the train or in a cab/bus?

 

[Jilian]

Quote:

Originally Posted by texaspeach do you not use a seat on the train or in a cab/bus?

Not on a train or bus - I don't even think it is possible to install a carseat on a train or bus (unless it is a cross country bus like a greyhound). In a cab you can install a car seat but many people do not use them in cabs.

 

[kriket]

crashing to say,

The UK and for the most part the whole of Europe has a FAR superior public transit system then the US. Cabs aren't really part of the every day routine.

I think you will be fine without a carseat. Cars needs carseats, not babies.

 

[tankgirl136]

I think the rental option is the best, I mean why buy something for a What if scenario. Hopefully it won't even come up.

I agree having just gotten back from the UK you guys have an amazing public transport system, I am truly jealous!!!

Now I wish I could beg one of you UK MDC Mom's to get me my carseat since only the Europeans one seem to actually be made for small cars!

 

[tankgirl136]

Sorry double post due to glitch.

 

[Onemagicmummy]

the public transport system in my area is pretty good, i can get most places via bus or metro. in fact there is a metro station 3 mins from my house and 3 bus stops in the same distance.

i dont have anyone who can drive me anywhere so we pretty much rely on public transport/walking. i dont do taxi's, ever!

i dunno if there is any rental options in my area (near newcastle-upon-tyne) i think ill ask my MW closer to the time and see what she says.

Kiz

 

[GenomicsGirl]

Kiz, based on your last post, I would not bother with renting/buying a car seat "just in case". If an unforeseen emergency comes up and you are transfered to the hospital, won't you take public transportation back to your house, anyways? Let's keep the thoughts positive and assume that you're going to have a perfectly normal and healthy HB and deal with the slight chance of leaving from the Hospital only if it arises

 

[Jilian]

Do you have a friend you can borrow one from if the need arises?

 

[User101]

Moving to Family Safety

 

[accountclosed2]

Do you have any mummy friends? Others who are due around your due date? If I was in your situation (and I don't drive and rely on public transport, but we have a car seat in the car, for when DH is driving us all), I would ask a friend if they could be on stand-by, in case of a hospital transfer, and, just swing by and pick you up (using their own car seat, installed in their own car, of course). You'd have to choose someone with back-up childcare or plan the time of the pick-up to after work so a dad could pick you up while the mum stays with the kids etc. I mean, I know I could ask my friend S, as I know that either her neighbour or her husband could look after their son, even on short notice.