My daughter is in labour and I'm a mess of emotion

[Eremomila]

As above. My adult daughter is in labour with her first baby, her partner is with her, and I will get updates from time to time.
I won't be mithering them for updates, I'm happy to hear whenever they choose to update, including if they wait until baby comes, but I'm a mess of emotion and worry. I just hope all goes well for her and the baby and it's not too awful.
She's been in early stages of labour since early this morning, has been up to the hospital and sent home again. She says she's doing ok.
Just sharing on here as I have nobody around at the moment to share with, and hoping that some can understand my emotions at my lovely daughter now being in the process of birthing her own child.
I can remember my labour and her birth so well, as if it was yesterday. I was in labour a long time, and she was born at home (as intended).
Feeling quite teary at the moment with the wonder of it all.

OMG that is just incredible! Now I'm crying again (happily). I didn't know about this, but what a wonderful thing.

Ah bless you! I'm a grandma bit with my sons' kids, so not been through a DD in labour. I'm very close to my DIL tho and it's an emotional time! Congratulations!

Aww love you, I'd be a mess too!! It's exciting but of course you're worried and anxious too! Sending you a hug and hope it's not too long before you hear 💐

Wishing you guys all the best. I'm a long way away from being a granny (I hope 😂) as my eldest is 11. Hope this new chapter of your lives is filled with joy and happiness.

I was taken aback by how anxious I was about my daughter being in labour. Far more worried than I was about my own labour.

It's about powerlessness, lack of control or information and multiple other things. Probably more awareness of what can go wrong, too. I took myself out shopping to try to distract myself, and basically paced up and down the aisles of John Lewis for an hour, looking at nothing and quietly catastrophising.

Awww. I hope it goes well for them both!!

what are you going to be known as?? It's so exciting, my Nana was my world!

To answer a couple of q's, my daughter and partner have shared some ideas they have for names and they are all lovely, but they are going to wait until little one is here, to see which one suits her best.
And I'm going to be known as Granny, I think, well that's what people are calling me so far, but the nipper may have their own ideas 🥰

How wonderful. You never lose the anxiety for your child, especially when she's in labour. But becoming a granny is a completely wonderful experience and if you can negotiate the balance between offering love, support (and lots of food, cake & cleaning) while not interfering, you suddenly have this new little person in your life who's face lights up when they see you. And you get to babysit, and they stay over and and and...

It's an absolutely wonderful new stage in my life - wishing you all the best

I felt that same sense of wonder when my sister went into labour.

It's definitely emotional!

Congratulations!

I know just how you feel. My daughter went into labour during the first lockdown and I was worried sick. I couldn't sleep a wink hoping and praying she and the baby would be ok. As you said, our adult children are still our babies!

She's recently had her second baby and I stayed and slept over with DGC1 while they went to the hospital. Couldn't sleep a wink again and the sense of relief when the call came was huge. It was so lovely though, telling DGC1 in the morning that her little sister had arrived. We made a card for her and a little birthday cake, and when they arrived, home, seeing how excited yet gentle she was with her new sister, was so special.

Being a nan is great, as you'll discover for yourself. Enjoy every minute.

I hope you don't have too long to wait. I was a nervous wreck both times. Then burst into tears with relief when it was over.

How exciting op, wishing a safe arrival for your precious grand- daughter

Having granddaughter #1 staying with me while DD was having #2 was a great distraction I have to say! And as that time it was a planned Caesarian, I was a bit less anxious.

All the best for your DD and DGC, @Eremomila !

Hi OP. I hope you're doing okay. Get the kettle on and have a cuppa! It can be hard to distract yourself. What are you doing? What lovely times you have ahead, how exciting.

Awww this is so lovely. Don’t think I have seen a ‘hold future granny’s hand while daughter is in labour’ thread on here!

Lots of love to you all. Great idea about batch cooking for them or just don’t try to sleep and watch some tv or read a book and just try keeping your mind busy - I just watched the first episode of Rivals of Disney+ and it’s the best kind of bonkers if you want a recommendation!

I don’t remember speaking to my mum after my kids were born, G&A gets me high as a kite so I was away with the fairies! I do remember she answered the phone within 2 rings at 3am whereas my in laws (who I’m not complaining about!) rang out 3 times because they both had their mobiles off and it took that long for the house phone to wake them 😆

Wishing your daughter a straightforward labour and delivery. I can only imagine what a mix of emotions you are experiencing, your baby is having a baby! Looking forward to hearing that all has gone well

Aww yes, I'm right there with you!
My Granddaughter is almost 1 and I have been reminiscing about that time almost a year ago.
My daughter had a stop start labour over days and I spent a lot of time with her 'breathing' and she was also sent home a couple of times.
That mix of excitement and anxiety while you wait for news and then the total joy and floods of tears when the message and first picture came.

There is something indescribably wonderful about your first dgc. Seeing your baby cradling their baby is such an emotional moment. I still tear up when I remember back to that moment, seeing ds holding dgs in his arms. And now I have two gorgeous dgs. It is the absolute best thing in the world to be a grandparent. To see the smile on their faces when you walk in the room. And the unconditional love and trust they have in you is so so special. Enjoy every moment.

Its ok to be emotional ;) Birthing babies is in fact the most emotional event in our lives, imho! You are a lovely mum and granny. Wish you all all the best!

This is marvellous! Of course you're anxious, that's natural, you're a mum, but there's no reason to think your daughter won't be fine. You will soon be a granny and we'll be congratulating you.

Keep us up to date.

Neither my mum nor my in laws knew when I was in labour. My waters broke, husband took me to hosptai, arrived at 4.30am and my baby was born at just after 6.30am :-). He waited until about 8 to ring them. They were all so, so pleased with their little grandson!

You are going to be pleased very soon.

I hope you'll update us here!

It really is an amazing (and anxious) time!
I am Granny to one little boy and one little girl, and another one due in March (they are finding out the gender tomorrow!)
Being a Granny is the most wonderful thing ever ❤️
Can’t wait to hear your little granddaughter has arrived safely

@Eremomila aw I was in your daughters shoes 5 years ago today- in labour with my first daughter on 20th October with her arriving early hours of the 21st. Sending that first photo to my parents of my new daughter I breathed a sigh of relief and I imagine they did too.

I remember wondering if they would have waited up or gone to bed- now I know of course they were always going to wait up ♥️ All the best of luck to your daughter, exciting times ahead for you Granny

Good luck op! I was the same when my daughter in law was in labour in January 2022. She's expecting again next January. I love being a granny, it's an amazing privilege and I love it when my grandson smiles at me when he sees me 😊 Hope your daughter is well and the birth goes smoothly.

I was in the room with my daughter and her husband when my first grandchild was born and I guarantee you’d be just as anxious if you were there. When you’re waiting you go through every single emotion there is. I cried because she was in pain,I cried because I was so proud of her,I also cried with laughter when she said to the midwife “Will you get your bloody hand out of the way!” and the midwife replied “that’s your baby’s head”!
One thing you need to do right now is brace yourself as you have no idea what is about to happen to you. When my daughter was pregnant I was so excited. I couldn’t wait to be a grandparent and I knew I’d love the baby so much. When he was born my life completely changed. It was without a doubt the best thing that ever happened to me. I always thought I’d never love anyone as much as I love my own children but when that little boy arrived it completely knocked me for six. The love I felt for him was totally overwhelming and it still is. It really took me by surprise. You find yourself arranging your life around them. Another thing that is amazing is watching your daughter be a mother. I was and am so proud of how well she took to it and what a fantastic job she’s doing and her husband too.
Your granddaughter will be born and you’ll wonder what you did with your time before she was here. I promise you it’s the most incredible thing that can happen to you and you’ll cherish every second. My grandson is now 9 years old and his brother is 7 and they are without a doubt the best thing that I could ever have asked for.
I wish the best for your daughter and your granddaughter and promise you it will be wonderful. Love to you xx I should probably add that you won’t have much for yourself in the future but your granddaughter will have everything she needs and more! X