my daughter had her nap, but she sussed that something was on, so stayed awake and cooed loudly from her cot in the next room.

i woudn't have wanted her to see me in pain, but she came right in afterwards for a cuddle and to see baby. DH looked after her in the afternoon whilst i slept.

Wow, LargeG&T you're an expert

Thread dropped off my active convos so I've not caught up for a few days. Glad to be of service fairy, I hope your birth goes exactly as you hope with no traumatised DC

I had both DS1 and DS2 at home.
I knew that I didn't want to have DS1 around.
We called my Mum at the same time as we called the midwife, DS1 went to build a tree house at Mum and Dad's over night, as it happens the birth was very fast and DS2 was born shortly after they left. However it felt lovely to have some time to sit and stare in awe at DS2 before we introduced him to DS1

I had a home birth four weeks ago using hypnobirthing. Got in the pool at 3am and DS1 (4 years old) woke up and came downstairs at 8am by which time I was pretty far gone.

DH gave him breakfast in front of the TV whilst my best friend / doula stayed with me. We allowed him to wander in and out the room as he wanted. DS1 stroked my head as i was leaning on the edge of the pool and he also fetched me some biscuits from the kitchen.

He was in the room when I delivered DS2 at 9am and, although he was very quiet and serious, I'm certain he wasn't scared or upset. It helped that I was able to smile and talk to him calmly between contractions. And he was all smiles when he met his new little brother!

I agree with the other ladies that you should plan for both scenarios. Good luck!

Ah fond memories of dd's home birth... The twins were 20 months, they were unpacking the midwife's bag as she examined me!

They were picked up before it got unbearable though.

With ds#3 he came at night when the other 3 were in bed [considerate]

Ds#4 came very considerately, ds#3 was in hospital with pneumonia and i said to baby in utero

"No coming out till your brother is home safe"

He was discharged at 6pm and at 2 weeks overdue i went to the labour ward on the way out for a sweep. The midwife said "you must come back to be induced tomorrow".

I was thinking maybe i wouldn't need to by then. I asked for my notes and started pacing.

Exp moved the car round the front of the hospital. I crawled to the car.

Phoned my mum and friend en route throwing the phone as i finished the convo

Crawled up to the front door to be met by my Mum who said "Gosh i didn't think you would be quite so far along"

Got in the bath, midwife arrived. Waited for the G&A to be set up (she couldn't park, i was bellowing) and at 8.20pm just 20 minutes after being back in the house ds3 watched ds4 being born. He still remembers it now, fondly i hasten to add.

Ds5 came in hospital, late.

Dd2 cameat home, she woke me at 430ish and by 5 i knew this was it. She arrived at 725am so they all got tohug her before they went to school. They heard me and ds4 was a bit upset but fine once he had seen me

It will all work out

really helpful thread puffy, thanks for starting it! I am due in 3 weeks for second HB and have various plans for what will happen to my ds when i go into labour. Our nearest family is 3 hours away so although my lovely MIL will come at the drop if a hat i have also got several friends lined up!
Great to read lots of others stories about night-time births with shorter labours etc.. and also helpful to read that others felt worried about their dc getting freaked out by events - i am pretty sure my ds (who is 2.8) would, so i am glad i have made plans.
But he is going to stay at his grandma's for several days (or as long as i want him to be away!) in the days leading up to my due date so we will be doing everything possible ( it worked last time!) to get the baby to arrive then!
All the best to the rest of you who are expecting too

Wow aaaggghhhh, now that's what a call a quicky. LOL at "DH insisted on pulling the plug out of the bath on contraction number 4 when DD was crowning".

1st dd 4 hours all together from waters breaking to her being there. i am NOT fit lol

Doh, I see it was. Tell me you had an 18 hr easy labour with your first and the second was that easy, despite not staying fit and eating lots of chocolate and crisps

wow !! Slipped out like an eel..

Tell me it was your 2nd ?