Has anyone ever had to take child with them to hospital?

[airhostess]

Hi,
Second baby due soon and I have a toddler. I have no one near ( 1hrs drive) to sit with my Son at night. My partner is away a lot so 50/60 to whether he will be around anyway. Has anyone had to take their child with them to hospital until relatives can get their to pick them up? Just thinking ahead incase it happens quickly!

50/50!!

Hiya !

I dont think you are allowed to bring them.
Was your first delivery very fast? If so you could have a friend stay with you if your husband is away maybe 2 weeks before the birth?
If not, as soon as you feel the first twinges, contact whoever is 1hour away and get them over to watch your little one.

Good luck !

X

they aren't going to kick you out because your toddler's there - it's just obviously not the best place for them.
if there is no other option then you will have to but assuming you haven't got a history of 0-birth in 60mins when the contractions start you can ring whoever's having DC then whilst you get sorted?

I had my 4yr old in delivery suite with me for about 30mins. They weren't overly happy about it but they left us to it and were pleased when she left......as was I

Good luck

My friend had to take her two year old as her second labour was so quick

I had my 2year old with me on the delivery suite while I was being induced and they said I could have kept her with me if I wanted too when I queried it! Possibly depends on the hospital, she was collected after 90mins ish, childcare must be a real problem for lots of people so probably the are used to it.

Emergency induction too, so not a laid back affair either. Good luck OP :)

Slightly different, but our childcare didn't get to us in time to look after DS1 (2.5 hr drive, called on first contraction). I ended up with a paramedic delivery on the bathroom floor, so DS1 was at the birth of his little brother (as was DH). Is home delivery an option at night - your oldest might sleep through it????

Look for a friend or relative that could be with you before your due date! if non I think you can have your toddler with you then call a relative that could look after your DC.

DS3 and DS4 came with us when I went in to have DS5 (Older 2 were at school). When the midwife confirmed that I wouldn't be leaving without a baby, PIL came and collected them.

Was your first labour fast? If you call a family member when you first feel.contractions and they head straight to you, you will more than likely still have time to get to the hospital before delovery.

Are you low risk? A home birth could be an option - MW arriving probably as your family member does.

Yes - she was with us for about two hours while we waited for MIL to arrive from 70 miles outside London. I had had a previous EMCS though so had gone in as soon as possible for monitoring. Turning up with a child in tow when contractions are a few mins apart is taking the piss a little.

Hospital didn't bat an eyelid. She was about 2 yrs old. My DH was with us though and it was the middle of the day, and the delivery ward was calm. If I'd been there in the middle of the night with her just by myself I think things would have been different though.

We had a reciprocal arrangement with a neighbour who was due around the same time that if there was any gap, we would be happy to cover babysitting overnight until a relative could arrive. Frankly I don't think there are many employers who would have a hissy fit if you were delayed due to someone being in active labour.

It did get a bit tricky as I was getting quite uncomfortable and didn't feel I could moan or cry out with my DD in the room. DH, bless him was oblivious and MIL inclined to stay and sodding chat when she arrived. First labour was a 2 day affair though so I don't think anyone expected me to be kicking off so quickly. I went from 0- 8 cms in the space of 3 hrs

I had a accident on dc2 and my DS ended up coming to the early labour ward. I was in a room with three other women and was 32 weeks being monitored. I couldn't get hold of anyone for 6 hours. I will say though I felt bad for the other women in the room and kept saying sorry to them.