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Original poster

To not know how to do Christmas since I might be in labour

397 replies

TitusAndromedom · 24/12/2018 17:23

My due date is tomorrow and, despite all my protestations to the contrary, it seems like the baby might come on Christmas. I’ve never gone into labour naturally before so I don’t have any sense of how quickly things might progress, but contractions are fairly regular and seven minutes apart at the moment. The problem is that I have three year old twins who are very excited about Father Christmas coming tomorrow, and now I’m not sure if I’ll be here for Christmas morning. I know this is selfish but I would feel so sad to miss out on their excitement in the morning, but equally I don’t want them to wake up expecting something that hasn’t happened. My MIL and SIL will come look after them if we have to go, and I could get everything ready tonight for FC’s visit once the boys are in bed. Is there any other other way to deal with this than the two options I can currently see?

OP posts:
IVEgottheJINGLEBELLS · 24/12/2018 17:54

How exciting!

You could be in and out before morning as others have said if things ramp up!

OnlyWantsOne · 24/12/2018 17:57

Good luck op xx

x2boys · 24/12/2018 17:59

Ah this was me 12 years ago ds1 was born on Boxing day at 5.50 am and i was in labour all day xmas day we didnt have much of a xmas that year and i remember eating sausage and chips in the hospital canteen for xmas lunch. Good luck!

WLAH · 24/12/2018 18:00

Exciting. Best wishes. I am sure the twins will be fine

Original poster
TitusAndromedom · 24/12/2018 18:01

He very much is doing all of that User. He’s said that he’ll get everything sorted once the boys are in bed. They’re just about to have an early bath so they can put on their new pyjamas.

OP posts:
EspressoButler · 24/12/2018 18:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Spudlet · 24/12/2018 18:03

Perhaps you could tell them that their new brother or sister is so excited about Christmas that they are coming out to join everyone?

All the best to you. I was induced on Boxing Day three years ago, and so far we've managed to fend off the joint Christmas and birthday presents thing. I think we will have an official birthday in the summer once DS is big enough to care. So don't let that play on your mind - there's always a way around these things Xmas Smile. Good luck!

MyNewBearTotoro · 24/12/2018 18:04

Can you delay Christmas by another day? When I was very little we did Christmas on Boxing Day as my Dad was working Christmas Day, my siblings and I had no idea as we were too young to know the date so my parents just told us Christmas Day was Christmas Eve.

Alternatively if they know that it’s Christmas tomorrow could you tell the twins that because the baby is coming on Vhristmas Day Santa has agreed to come on Christmas night so he can bring the baby a present and just delay your Christmas Day until Boxing Day?

Mammylamb · 24/12/2018 18:07

Vacuuming and steam cleaning???!!! Is that a normal labour activity?

I can’t offer any advice, but just wanted to wish you the best of luck x

Chocolateismynemesis · 24/12/2018 18:08

Please don’t let the guilt get to you OP. My DTs were born on my DS’s first day of school and I not only missed his first day (he was taken by a random neighbour who had come during the night to look after DS & DD as we have no family nearby) but I was in hospital for the whole of his first week and the DTs were in NNU for the first 3 weeks so all of that totally overshadowed the start of his school life. I felt guilty for years, but then I realised that he really didn’t mind at all - he is totally fine, as are DD and the DTs (who are now 8). It’s so hard to divide yourself and it must be heart wrenching to miss these precious moments for you, but your DTs won’t care - I promise.

HollowTalk · 24/12/2018 18:09

Why don't you take a bag of their presents to the hospital so that when they come to see you and the baby they can have some of their presents there? You could tell them that if the baby is born tonight then Father Christmas will leave some presents under the tree but leave their stockings at hospital with the new baby. Would that work?

rainbowruthie · 24/12/2018 18:10

Good luck!

Bluelady · 24/12/2018 18:13

Housework is a very normal labour activity. I got my curtains down and washed them when I went into labour. I think it's nature's way of keeping you active and getting things moving.

Vampiratequeen · 24/12/2018 18:14

Good luck.

KiteMarked · 24/12/2018 18:22

I have two nearly-Christmas-babies, so I know how you feel OP. Whatever happens, Christmas will still be lovely tomorrow morning for your DC, I'm sure.

Make sure your bags are packed, and get those twins into bed early!

Original poster
TitusAndromedom · 24/12/2018 18:24

MyNewBesr, that’s what I wanted to do but I think they’re too aware now. I think they’d be gutted to wake up and find both that Mama is gone and FC didn’t come!

Hollow, that’s a good idea. I’ll suggest that we hold a couple of bits back so they can still have FC gifts but Mama and Daddy gifts can be given when we come home.

Things seem to have picked up a bit, but since I was induced with the boys I don’t really know what to expect in terms of progression. Maybe we’ll be able to be home tomorrow late morning or something to still get some of the day all together.

OP posts:
Original poster
TitusAndromedom · 24/12/2018 18:25

And thanks for all the kind words. I’m trying not to panic!

OP posts:
KitKat1985 · 24/12/2018 18:33

If things are picking up a bit you might have time to have an Christmas eve rather than Christmas day baby. Neither of my labours were longer than about 5 hours. Then if baby and you are okay then you might be in home in time for presents and lunch tomorrow! (And if ever there was an excuse to get out of the cooking and washing up you might have just hit upon it).

bourbonbiccy · 24/12/2018 18:34

Good luck, I'm sure you babies will have a great Christmas.

HollowTalk · 24/12/2018 18:36

Could you save them a present each which has come from the new baby?

Wonkydonkey44 · 24/12/2018 18:36

Eek! Good luck !
Your little ones will be fine and you’ll be home before you know it 😁

Applesandpears23 · 24/12/2018 18:37

Your mind is am amazing thing, try to relax and visualise the babies coming and you being home before the twins wake up. My midwife used to tell me that most 2nd babies she delivers are born at night whilst their sibling sleeps.

xoxoxoxoxoxo · 24/12/2018 18:38

how do you celebrate? Or does it get lost in Xmas day

This is a question I have been asked all of my lifeSmile along with...

Do you get birthday and Christmas presents or is it all in one?
Do you get a party? (As a child)
Do people wrap your birthday presents in Christmas paper?
Would you not want to celebrate it a different day?

It does get lost in Christmas a little... but I've never known any different and love that everyone has always celebrated my birthday.

I have over the years had 'all in one' presents but it's never bothered me.

When I was a child my birthday party was a few days before my birthday.

Yes, a lot of people have over the years given me birthday presents wrapped in Christmas paper but it's never bothered me... but I know it's always upset my DM

I've been asked over the years if I would like to celebrate my birthday (or change it) for another day. Ive always said no because it's NOT my birthday.

I've never known any different so it's not an issue. Also, no family and close friends ever forget my birthday Wink

OP. It'll be fine! Good luck and please keep us updated xThanksx

pizzaa · 24/12/2018 18:40

Good luck op!

Can you not hold back half the presents and allow your dc to think that's all their presents. When you come home with your new baby, bring the presents into the lounge from your hiding spot and tell them that they missed some presents!

You get to see their face light up and they get to dive into some presents and open them all in front of you.

recently · 24/12/2018 18:41

I know someone born on Xmas day who always celebrates the half birthdays! Good luck, OP!