DD, who's nearly 7 is desperate to be at the birth of her sibling. She cries biggest sobs if she thinks that she won't be. She's met the midwife and the consultant, and both say that she's very mature and will be fine. The hospital say that many people do and at her age it's fine. She's done ultrasound on the baby and listened to its heart, packed its hospital bag, wrapped it some presents that she bought, and so wants to be involved.
I had a very calm birth with her, leg cramps were the worst!
She wants to be a hospital nurse when she grows up. And to be honest, when I split my hand open last week she was straight there, wiping the blood, applying ice and then a plaster. And she's also totally cool about blood donation, loves stories about anatomy, and could become fourth generation nurse on both sides of the family.
However, the other mums in the playground think I'm insane to countenance her presence. Except for one farmer's wife. I used to love attending the birth of lambs, calves, kids (goat variety) and foals as a child. And I too had no qualms about attending to my pony's injuries.
Her dad will be there too and can whizz her round to friends if things get too much. He won't be as disappointed as she will at missing the birth! She however has specifically asked me to tell the midwives that she wants to be the first to hold the baby, even if it's slimy like the pictures I've shown her.
What have you done or would you do. Am I mad to agree to see how it goes.