Looking for accomodation for family members who come for birth

[Inpira]

Hello
My name is Inma. I am on my 25th week of pregnancy, expecting the birth for the 30th July and really excited about that.
Everything is going perfectlly well with my pregnancy but I am struggling with the way I am going to accomodate my family members coming Spain for the birth. I would like them to be here for that date but at the same time I am aware I am going to need space for me and my partner especially days before of birth, when contractions start and after the birth.
One of the ideas I have come iup with is to find a spare flat/house to accomodate but I am struggling finding something suitable. So my question is:

1. Has anybody got a flat/house/room for rent during the first two weeks of August?
   
2. I am also interested in getting to know other women living in the UK from other cuntries (but not exclusivelly) that have been in the same situation that I am. I would appreciate somebody to speak to about these issues.
   

Many many thanks in advance

Inma

[gloti]

Hi Inma
I'm in a similar situation, I am due on 2nd Aug. I have lived in London for 8 years but all my family is in Spain and coming over for the birth!
luckily we will be able to manage with my spare bedroom,plus my mother in law has also offered some of her rooms.
Not sure I can help you but I'm here if you need to talk! it might be a good idea to mention whereabouts you live so people can offer advice re. accommodation...
Mucha suerte!

[Flisspaps]

How long are they coming for? You say two weeks in your OP, but if you go over your EDD by two weeks it's possible that they won't actually be here when you want/need them (as will be the case if your baby comes at 37w!)

[Inpira]

Gloti, good to hear I am not the only one and thanks for your answer. We live in a one bedroom flat, for that reason space is an issue. My partner's parents live in Kent which is quite a way from Bristol. The only solution for me is to find a place close to where we live for at least two weeks in August so my mother can come and go. It would be great to keep in touch with you GLoti.
We live in Montpelier/St Pauls area in Bristol.
Flisspaps! thanks for your response too!! your questions are in my mind too. My brother and partner are only able to come for a set period of time due to holidays and work. My mother is more flexible with her time so she is planning to come for three weeks two of which I would like another place for her to stay.
Thanks again

[rosiedays]

HI Inma,
I'm in bristol and due the same time as you!! july / august is big for holiday lets so provided they have a little money you should be able to find something. i'd look / book soon though as bristol can be a nightmare for accomodation.
another option is to hire a moter home for 2 weeks?? this way they can move them selves around??

[rosiedays]

Ps PM me if you want to meet for a coffee.....xx I'm british but spent a long time overseas so know whet its like to be far from home. xx

[crikeybadger]

I wonder if you advertised locally you may find someone who is willing to offer some rooms in return for some Spanish conversation?

Other thoughts are- try the Youth Hostel, it's by the harbourside and looks quite nice from the outside. Not sure how they'd feel about staying there, but I think they do family rooms so it's not like they would be in a dorm.

Or... do the university let out rooms in the summer?

[JanieLovesCake]

Perhaps try airbnb.com it's a great website where people rent out a room or whole house or flat. I've used it a lot for holidays and its quite cheap too.

Good luck and congrats!

[jojane]

You can find flats to rent through housetrip

[Inpira]

Thanks verybody for all your answers that is helpful. If some of you hear of a place for hire or room to rent in a nice house, let me know.

[Inpira]

Rosiedays, I would love to meet you. Send me an email, my address is [email protected]

[Bejeena]

Since it will be out of term time would some unviersity accomodation be an option? Either halls or a private landlord who has a house empty due to students being out of town? Perhaps you could ask the university if they do such a thing?

[Bejeena]

Oh and I am in a similar situation to you but the opposite, I am from the UK but living in Germany. We also have the space issue only a 2 bed flat and family want to come and visit. I am still trying to work out what to do about it all.

[oscarwilde]

You could try a house swap? If your family live in an area of Spain that people would like to visit in August you may well find that you can arrange a swap for 2 or more weeks with very little cost at all.
University accommodation is a very good alternative too.

[rosiedays]

inpira unfortunatly dr has diagnosed me with shingles !! i'll email you when i'm better. xx

[Inpira]

rosiedays, sorry to hear that! get well soon
Please get in touch when you ar efeeling better.
X

[Teaandflapjacks]

Bejeena - I am in a similar position as I am from UK and live in Germany. I decided that I would rather have me and DH try and figure out things for the first few weeks on our own, and then my parents can come over. We have a dog and I want to get baby and dog suited, us bonding before we let my (very lovely) family into the mix. I see it as time we will never have again, and I will be very hormonal dealing with a longed for baby for the first time - I just want me and DH and our little dog to go through a few weeks on our own together. My Mum and Dad were really great and totally understood when I asked them to please come out when I def will have had her for a few weeks (i.e. even if I go over - so 4 weeks after due date, and can book flights to get decent prices etc now for them). I know everyone is different, but I do feel a lot more relieved now about it all with this plan in place. Then we won't mind them in our two bed flat too, we do have third, which is used as an office, but this will be the babys room eventually (at first she will just be with us). I explained to my Mum that it isn't like they will just be here for a few hours, like the in laws, and she would be a wonderful help coming for a bit longer, a few weeks later, when I have recovered a bit and things are a bit more settled. This way she will get more cuddle time too, like my Dad. She really liked that idea then and can't wait now.

Don't know if that helps anyone, but wanted to share my situation in case it does!!

x

[Teaandflapjacks]

p.s. I do know that bristol Uni and UWE also rent out halls in the holidays. You can contact both Uni admin offices to enquire. they normally have a mix of options.

www1.uwe.ac.uk/comingtouwe/placestostay/uwesummeraccommodation/visitors.aspx

www.bris.ac.uk/accommodation/visitors/