As a midwife, I have to say all of our team take a VERY dim view of women turning up in an ambulance in labour, unless there is a real medical need. So a taxi might cost you £15. You have 9 months to save that £15. If you save 50p a week from the moment you know you are pregnant you will have enough to get you to hospital in labour. I'm sorry but pretty much everyone- even those on low incomes- can afford to get to hospital or can have it arranged so that they can get the money back. It is not an 'emergency' and we do impress this on our women. We do try to promote home birth and we do try to get people not to abuse LAS but sadly for some people they just don't listen.