I'm asking because my immediate back-up plans and entourage are getting on my nerves big time and really I want to crawl into a cave and privately give birth without my parents (especially) being aware of what is happening. They are here from abroad to help and to look after the kids while dh and I go to the birth centre - I did mention something about us being able to call a neighbour over (also quicker than them coming over because though their rented flat (which they have rented for a long time, it's not that they can't stay with us, it's that they prefer to have their own place when they come over as they come over quite often) is close it's not as close as the neighbour's house) but my mother especially is very gung ho about being HERE at the time... Of course they want to see the baby but I don't see that it makes a big difference who is with our kids while dh and I are away...
Also, I feel like a watched kettle - I am now 39 + 3 - ds was born at 38 + 5 and dd at 39... Mum talks about waiting for the baby, her friends and various relatives "waiting for the baby" - also not to have it too late as they are going home on the 27th (the 28th immediately pops into my head as a good date to have it but that would be seriously overdue as it is due on the 17th)...
Then neighbour's husband was over last night telling us when to go to the hospital - going on and on about when the contractions are 10 to 12 minutes apart "stay at home" then you go when they are 5 minutes apart... As if dh and I hadn't been through all of this twice before... (neighbour has 3 kids so obviously better qualified to instruct!). So then I thought actually, I don't want the neighbours involved EITHER... I must be close to labour because little things like this are narking me a lot.
Essentially I think giving birth is private and I don't want the world to know when I am doing it - especially my interfering mother who just wants to be there for the first photo opportunity and to tell all her friends HOW MUCH she and Dad were invaluable. I want to crawl into a private little cave with a nice midwife and scream away to my heart's content if I have to without anybody knowing. After they are all free to come and form bonds with grandchild / nephew or niece or whatever.
SOOOO my latest plan is to leave dh with kids and get myself to the birth centre by taxi - bit scared of doing this but has anyone done it????