Did you tell anyone when you went into labour?

[Tigs0609]

I'm pregnant with second DC and seriously considering not telling anyone when I've gone into labour (aside from the person who will be looking after my DS, obviously) this time around. I want it to be a special moment between me and my DP and not tell anyone until the baby is born.

Last time around, my partner text everyone on his side when we were on the way up to the hospital. It turns out his Mother came up right away and waited in the waiting room. I didn't have a problem with this, however, I did have a problem with the fact that she repeatedly went to the desk in the birth centre and asked for someone to go in and check for updates.

Several times a member of staff came in and said to DP, your mum wants to know how you're getting on and has asked to see you. So, there were a couple of occurrences where he left the room to tell her what was going on.

Only a few minutes before DS was born a member of staff poked there head round the door again and DP said to tell her she will have to wait (I was pushing and DS's head was visible at this point).

My baby was born at 4.25pm, and I had several stitches which took nearly town hours to complete. Visiting hours at my hospital are 6-9pm. Just after half 6 we were moved to a separate and about 10minutes later, DPs mother rushed in and took DS of my partner (this was his first hold). I didn't have chance to have a bath or anything, as more visitors arrived and everyone left just after 9pm.

At this point, I was exhausted after a long labour, bad stitches and no sleep the night before. Hence, this time around, I want to try and relax after I've just had the baby and visitors can come to see the baby when we're at home. However me & DP have mentioned this to several people and they have all turned their nose up at the idea, as they want to see the baby as soon as they're born at the hospital.

Has anyone else not told anyone until after the baby's born, and if so how did others react and did it work out better for you?

Currently locked in a debate with DP about this! He wants to spread the word as soon as contractions start
I'm not against telling our parents, but they are completely useless at keeping secrets so they're not being told. Can't be doing with aunties (the related kind and mum's friend kind), hairdressers and goodness knows who else knowing that I'm in labour.
Also a strong possibility that MIL may set up camp at the hospital once she finds out, so she will have to wait til baby is here!

Princess - ask your DH if, while you're in labour, he wants to be fielding calls from all and sundry. If not, then he needs to keep schtum!

I went into labour at around 10pm (full blown, v strong contractions 2min apart) and we told our parents we were in hospital at around 9am the following morning. At that point we didn't think Ds would be far off arriving.

Anyway, DH then had to cope with texts and calls from the family, asking if they should set off now to visit later in the day (they live a distance away), asking how I was doing, if he was born yet, what was taking so long, blah blah blah.

At the same time, things were going awry - I was in a bad way and so was DS. He was born around 12hrs later, in distress. Thank god DH managed to convince people not to set off to the hospital.

This time round, the only person I'm telling I'm in labour will be whoever is looking after DS.