Pregnancy and New York City Transportation

by Jennifer Jordan (Subscribe to Jennifer Jordan's posts) Mar 29th 2007 11:06AM

It's a good thing I've maintained my sense of humor throughout my pregnancy. Pregnancy, since it's my first time through, has been an interesting and sometimes complicated situation, especially since I live in New York City. See, most of us don't have cars, and generally that's a good thing. Sitting in traffic is worse than labor from what I understand. There are times when a car would be sorta handy though.

Take the subways for example. Some people refuse to give me a seat even though it's more than obvious I am about to explode. Seriously, a few months ago when everyone was hidden in their coats you might've been confused by me--was I just bulky or with child? The last thing anyone wanted to do was make the mistake of offering me a seat only to offend me by finding out I wasn't pregnant. But I was. And now that the weather is warmer my clingy and somewhat (hopefully) stylish togs make it 100% clear that I am going to have a baby. Yet there I'll be riding the F train (yes, the F, not the blue line or the yellow line, where everyone is as nice as pie and ALWAYS offers seats) and no one is willing to stand for ten minutes so I could rest my weary bones.

On the other hand, living in New York has its advantages. My OBGYNs are some of the best, and they're a modern group practice using state of the art equipment to which I might not have access if I were somewhere else. And there's nothing like walking down the streets with hundreds of people smiling at me all because I am going to have a baby. It's as if the whole city is happy for me.

Getting back to the subway thing, this situation brings up an interesting point: since I have no car, live in Brooklyn and am having my baby at NYU Medical Center in Manhattan, how the heck am I going to get there once the contractions start? Luckily, I am not the only woman ever to undertake such a task.

Many people simply hail a cab. This makes me nervous. Even though it's technically illegal for a cabby to refuse a passenger they do it all the time. If cab drivers don't want to go to Brooklyn it's even less likely they'll savor the idea of taking a water-breaking, moaning mamma-to-be to the hospital. We all know labor GENERALLY takes longer than it does in the movies, but try telling that to the guy you freaked out when he innocently pulls over and you start speaking in tongues from the pain of a contraction that hit you from out of nowhere. They just don't want the liability. They also don't want placenta in their cabs.

The subway itself is not an option either, although I'm sure it's been utilized on more than one occasion. The subway is rarely if ever late, has a specific schedule and runs underground, meaning no traffic woes. This would be great for me considering it would take me less than an hour door to door to get from my house to NYU except for one thing. The moment, and I mean moment someone figured out I was in labor that someone would pull the emergency break and everyone would have to get off the train or wait around for the EMS or whatever to come get me to put me in a vehicle anyway to rush me to the hospital. I would be what is referred to as the "sick passenger." Everyone in NYC hates sick passengers because they make us late. And New Yorkers can't stand to be late. Rather than raise the ire of everyone in town, it's best for me to stick to above-ground means of getting to the hospital.

There is one more option, which is to take a car service. Generally these drivers are more professional and have been exposed to this kind of thing before. Car services can be more expensive than a cab, but the rate they charge is a flat one regardless of how long it takes them to get to your destination or what route they take. I need to call the service we use to see how they'd feel about taking a preggo to NYU, but I'm sure given enough time to prepare they would happily acquiesce.

That said, the issue with car services is that they tend to have scheduled pick ups. If you want to get picked up from the airport to be taken home they're definitely the way to go. You call ahead, make the arrangements and voila, they greet you and your luggage at the airport doors. Since I have no idea when I'll be going into labor I can't exactly schedule a pick up. Would that it were that easy. But it's not.

Add to all of this the fact that I'm home in Brooklyn waiting to go into labor while my husband is still at work in Manhattan which is naturally ten minutes away from NYU. This means I'll call to advise him I'm in labor and he'll have to get home asap to pick me up only to turn around and go back to essentially the same place from where he started. This must occur, however, because I am not about to fight with a cab driver or a car service or the subway alone while managing labor pains and my overnight bag. Just not gonna happen.

On a final note, I tried to get the husband to opt for renting a car for a few weeks to take care of pre-baby errands and to give us a clear way to the hospital. He declined on the grounds that he'd be too amped up and distracted to be able to safely get us there. I can't argue with that, although I think he fears driving in the city more than watching our son exit my woowoo. Trust me, driving in the city is FRIGHTENING.

So. I have some decisions to make. Anyone ever been through something similar? Any advice or suggestions you could offer? And yes, I am definitely having the baby at a hospital, not at home. I live in a one-bedroom apartment, remember, so there's barely enough room for me and my husband, let alone our bundle-of-joy to be and a doctor, et al!

Comments (14)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Jennifer Susse 3-29-2007 @ 11:39AM

I grew up in Brooklyn (Carroll Gardens) and though I'm not there now I still have friends there who have kids. It is true that New Yorkers are not that considerate of pregnant women, but they more than make up for it with respect to how amazing they are with babies and kids. And, let's face it, you don't really need extra help when you are pregnant (sure your feet hurt a little, but it isn't a really a disability), but you really!!! need extra help when you have a baby/toddler. Really, New Yorkers are more friendly and more tolerant of kids than are the people at any other place I've lived. Consider yourself lucky!

With respect to going into labor, chances are that you are going to have lots of time. Sure there are occasional labors that are really quick, and yours might be one of them, but it is much more likely that you will have a long labor. I wouldn't worry about a cab refusing you. I really wouldn't!! This is exactly the type of situation in which New Yorkers are terrific. And, of course, you are going to Manhattan.

Ethel 3-29-2007 @ 11:36AM

Just don't move to Seattle, there have been 4 babies born on freeways in King County since Jan. 5th this year due to traffic congestion. Officials there are saying to head to the hospital early, don't wait for contractions to progress. I bet that's fine if you're like most of us and take your time moving through, but I know some gals that progress rapidly - and I would base my departure on that if you have already had a baby.

In Alaska moms often move to towns with hospitals if the birth is a first birth or worrisome and live there the last month or so. Otherwise you stay home and have the baby there, especially since you may not be able to make it by floatplane, ferry, snowmobile, boat or helicopter (forget trying to fit that flotation device on!) depending on the weather. I don't suppose you can rent a room the last month from the hospital?

The truth is that you would have plenty of time and could probably get on the subway and to the hospital, ideally with help. My sister-in-law drove herself to the hospital when she was labor both times, women do it all the time. And a cab would not be the end of the world either, just hail them when you are not having a contraction and tell them its a regular check-up. By the time they pull away from the curb you'll be on your way!

anonny 3-29-2007 @ 11:46AM

I live in Brooklyn (Green and Grey Line) and my OBGYN is in Manhattan too. I'm due any minute.

I plan on calling a car service. They show up in 5 minutes no matter what time day or night (10 minutes at the latest) and you don't have to tell them you're in labor.

Elbee 3-29-2007 @ 4:05PM

My wife and I live in Manhattan. We took a cab to the hospital for two deliveries. We had no trouble at all. Here are some thoughts:

First, although they were painful, the labor pains weren't utterly debilitating for my wife at the time we headed out. I have a feeling the cab driver had no idea his passenger was in labor.

Second, although your experience may be different in Brooklyn, we didn't find cabs were any less willing to pick up pregnant passengers. If you find that available cabs are passing you up, you may want to try calling the cops; there would probably be a policeman in the area who would be happy to make an appearance and, in effect, scare a cab into taking you (or make headlines by taking you in to the hospital him/herself).

Third, you may want to consider if any nearby friends or neighbors have a car and would be willing to drive you in if bad gets to worse.

Fourth, you could try calling multiple car services if the cabs aren't picking you up; even if many are busy, there might be one with an extra driver available in the area.

Fifth, make sure you know where a closer hospital is, just in case you truly are stranded (due to traffic, emergency, etc.).

Good luck, and don't worry. People tend to want to help women in labor, not hinder them. By the same token, don't be afraid to ask an able-bodied person for a seat on the subway (especially if they are in the section reserved for the disabled). They would be insane to be offended or turn you down.

Amanda 3-29-2007 @ 12:24PM

I really doubt you'll go into labor so fast that you wouldn't be able to make it to the hospital that usually only happens in hollywood :) but, I understand your fears, I have two children and I live in the country, thirty minutes from any hospitals and that was a big scare for me. with my first daughter I was sleeping and woke up at 2:30 in the morning to pee and my water broke while I was sitting on the toilet (thank goodness). my suggestion to you:
IF YOUR WATER BREAKS FIRST, BRING A HUGE ABSORBENT TOWEL TO SIT ON you have no idea how much amniotic fluid you have in you until your water breaks, it doesn't all come out at once in a huge gush, it comes out in little gushes every few minutes and it will soak you to your ankles. Yep, I just put on a pantiliner! I was soaked by the time we got to myroom at the hospital.

nikisma 3-29-2007 @ 5:31PM

Quit whining and take a cab.

Desiree 3-29-2007 @ 1:21PM

I just don't understand why living in an apartment negates a homebirth, it'd just be an apartment home birth! lol Many women I know of rent hotel rooms to have their birth in, can't be much smaller! I won't ever understand the mainstream line of thought though. Certainly seems the most logical solution to your issues.

Leian 3-29-2007 @ 4:51PM

When I was pregnant for the first time almost 4 years ago, I too had the experience, many many times, of not being offered a seat by people who just ignored that I was pregnant. To Jennifer S. who said hey, no big deal, it's not a disability, well neither is being old inherently a disability - but the polite thing to do is offer the elderly a seat, isn't it? We're not talking being disabled, it's just a matter of courtesy. Yes there were times when I felt fine, and I would graciously and thankfully decline the seat when that was the case. But there were times when the baby was in stretch mode and my tummy felt as tight as a bass drum and I felt terribly uncomfortable and would have welcomed the chance to take a load off for a few minutes. Watching people blissfully ignore my condition was amazing, and to have someone rationalize what is basically a lack of courtesy and consideration pisses me off.

As for the travel thing, Jennifer Jordan, I feel for you. My girlfriend was in the same boat you're in but her husband (now ex) was an a--hole who didn't want to pay for cabfare so they got on the train. While there is probably not going to be a rush to get to the hospital (that's a lot of Hollywood nonsense although it does happen), I still cannot imagine getting on a train in labor. Keep a list of car services handy in case you need to call more than one if the first one is busy. If you have one that you regularly use they should be fine taking you to the hospital and they don't HAVE to know you're in labor. If I were you I would just have hubby meet me at the hospital instead of sitting around waiting for him to come home just to turn around and head right back out, but I could see where you would feel more comfortable having him there. Time of day would also be a factor - calling him to come home midday is different from calling him to come home at 5 p.m. HE could be sitting in traffic forever just to get home.

Look, I live in NJ and my doctor is in Greenwich CT an hour away from me (long story). And this time around I have to figure out who is going to mind my daughter (I have a feeling it will be hubby in the waiting room). So I feel your pain, and I am due in June. It all magically worked out the first time. Will it again? I don't know. Beyond making some plans for different eventualities, I refuse to get nervous about it. Call me crazy!

Lauren 3-29-2007 @ 3:41PM

Just to second what Amanda said, if your water breaks first bring something VERY absorbant to sit on! I am still shocked at how much amniotic fluid was in there!

Good luck!

Desiree 3-29-2007 @ 4:42PM

Fast deliveries aren't just something made up in Hollywood. Mine was 2 hours from the first contraction to birth and these stories are in the news all the time:

http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles/_a/couple-have-baby-at-nearly-100-mph/20070324075309990001

mamaloo 3-29-2007 @ 6:10PM

You do realise that just about every midwifery clinic and OBs office have all the mod cons in North America, right? That having OBs in Manhattan does not mean they have access to things the rest of the continent hasn't heard of!

And, yeah, take a cab. You're driver probably won't know you're in labour. From what you were talking about with epidurals, I'm guessing you'll be one of the women who heads to the hospital as soon as labour begins. It's doesn't hurt that much in the early part of labour, hence you probably won't be making much noise.

Uly 3-29-2007 @ 7:11PM

Car service doesn't need to be scheduled... I take car service all the time, you just call them and they show up five to ten minutes later.

As for nobody offering you a seat on the train, I say the same thing I say to everybody - do you ask? If I think I can't stand on the train or the bus, I ask for a seat. Works every time.

Heather 3-29-2007 @ 11:18PM

I am in Toronto and no one here gives seats either. I actually had one women push me out of the way to get to a seat. I was 8 months preggo and huge. Then a couple weeks later we had the big black out. That was the only time someone offered me a seat. I was almost 9 months by then.
I could never afford a cab here. I took one once during a really bad cold spell after I missed my connecting bus. I was half way home and it still cost $20.

Jennifer S. 4-09-2007 @ 9:58AM

To Lian. I wasn't excusing the fact that New Yorkers don't offer a seat to someone who is pregnant. I don't think they are necessarily being rude, just clueless. It is hard to explain, but being on the subway can feel very private and personal. I was just saying that ultimately it isn't a big deal, and that having people help you when you have a baby or toddler is much more important. Right now I'm in the Midwest, which I don't think is any where near as toddler-friendly as Brooklyn.

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