Due at Christmas and looking after DCs

[RoyalChocolat]

As you can guess from the title, I am due on Christmas Day. I went overdue for DC 1, 2 and 3 (by 3 to 12 days) so I really hope it is going to happen again.
My question is, what can we do in case it does not?

Originally my DM was supposed to meet us at the hospital and take DCs with her. However she has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and is undergoing a heavy treatment.

We don't have any other family members nearby who could be there in time (very quick births).
There are a few trusted neighbours who could look after our DCs but many of them are away at Christmas, and anyway I cannot really drop 3 children at anyone's house on Christmas Eve?

Are there any options I have not considered? Homebirth is not an option in rural France. At the moment it looks like we are going to drag everyone to the hospital and DH will stay with the DCs in a waiting room.

Can you go on your own and get a quick discharge? I'm sure you'd be fine to labour on your own (I had to for no1 and the staff were lovely)

I could not drive during labour.
I really want DH to be there to be sure my choices are respected. He could not be there for DC2 (that's another story) and two people pinned me on my back because it is the "correct" position to give birth here in France.

Can you ask about getting induced early ?

Bababoo13 thanks for the idea, but I have very strong feelings against an induction without serious medical reasons.
I was induced for DC1 because there was a mistake on my notes and they miscalculated my due date. I ended up needing an epidural. Never again.

Let us hope that DC4 will wait at least until Christmas Day...

Could you get a friend to go with you and be a birth partner if there's no one you could ask to mind your other DC?

( I would mind anyone's DC if they were in labour, regardless of the day tbh)

At my (UK) hospital there is no waiting area in the Labour Ward or Birth centre. So if I'd taken anyone with me they'd have had to go out to a cafe to wait. Or hang around the main hospital waiting area.

Get dh to drop you off and then come back with dc once you’ve had the baby? Not ideal but it doesn’t sound like you have much choice.

You could employ a doula to help you with the birth

Or maybe an emergency nanny to help with the children

Could you get an au pair type person who to stay with you for a week or 2 over christmas?

You could put an advert on workaway - it's like a cultural exchange thing where they get free board and lodging in exchange for 4 hours work a day ( can be childcare/help on the farm/housework,etc). Quite a lot of students like to use it as it gives them a chance to improve their language skills etc.

Can any family come to stay?

If there is no one else then your dh will have to have the dc. If that is the case then it would be much better for them to drop you off and take the dc home, surely? Your dh won't be able to support you from the waiting room anyway.

Can you speak to a midwife about your birth wishes beforehand?

you cant have your DP and dc' s all at the hospital,hardly fsir on dc and other patients and dp would be looking out for dc' s there so it would be better for them to be at home

you have very limited choice

let dp drop you and he can come back later with dc's as someone said before i