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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to ask if you had your own Mother present when you gave birth?

308 replies

Wiseplumant · 07/08/2025 14:34

I am interested in this because my own mother died years before my DD was born, so it was never an issue. I think I would have been fairly horrified at the thought! But then I was only 15 when she died, so we may have had a closer relationship by the time I had kids of my own. Did anyone decide to have their Mother present but changed their mind when it came to time. Or did you definitely decide you didn't want her there, but changed your mind and really needed her there? What about women who were with their daughters as they gave birth, did you want to /feel privalaged to be there? Or was it very traumatic for you,but you felt that if your daughter wanted you there you would be there no matter what?

OP posts:
Wolfhat · 07/08/2025 14:40

First birth was tail end of covid so couldn't have her there but I wouldn't have wanted her there. We are very close but I only wanted husband and midwife. Second birth, my mum lives next door and it was a homebirth but she stayed in her own house and only came round after me and baby we all clean and in pjs. I wouldn't have felt comfortable having her around before that. But im a private person.

What my mum and MIL did do which I was so grateful for is all the bits so me and baby and husband could really be in a bubble. They did food, tea, sorted the house, spoilt the big one rotten and allowed me to settle with the baby. I will forever be grateful to them both for that.

HeyThereDelila · 07/08/2025 14:39

No, I had my DH with me.

Each to their own, but birth is between you and your spouse, if you have one.

Makingpeace · 07/08/2025 14:39

Absolutely no way I'd want my mother there. We have a great relationship, but just no.

diterictur · 07/08/2025 14:38

I would have hated this.

I realise some women have very co dependent relationships with their mothers and basically treat them as the co parent with the father of the child as a hanger on but that's not my thing

DancingintheSpoonlight · 07/08/2025 14:38

With my eldest, the plan was just me with her Dad and hospital staff, but as I got closer to actually pushing I very emphatically insisted she came.
The Dad wasn’t the most supportive birthing partner so I was glad she came.
2nd child I just had DH (different Dad) and it was totally different, and I was just glad to have DH.

wizzywig · 07/08/2025 14:38

No way. She'd make it about herself

Zov · 07/08/2025 14:37

Oh hell no. Couldn't think of anything worse! 😂

Gymrabbit · 07/08/2025 14:36

It wouldn’t have occurred to me or any of my friends. Though a friends sister in law had her MIL there as she wasn’t close with her own mother which I thought was very strange.