What to do with DD when go into labour

[Hothead]

Just moved to Scotland a month and a half ago, with DH's job. Am now 28 weeks pregnant and starting to think about the realities of what will be happening some time in June..........what on earth do people do with their kids when they go into labour and they have no family or friends close by? DH's parents would take a minimum of 4 hours to get here, which might be too late.......so I am starting to worry that I might end up having to do it all on my own. What have other people done in a similar situation??

Would you consider a home birth?

I would have dh's parents on stand by. I hope that you have a safe speedy delivery but in the scheme of it 4 hours might be ample time to get there.

A home birth is a good suggestion.

As a fall back why don't you look up baby sitting services - build a relationship with one particular person now, let them know what your intentions are so that your little one feels comfortable and so that you can labour away without worrying.

You could also try making some friends through NCT or ante natal groups - if you felt comfortable by the time your little one was on its way somebody might be able to help out. I am sure that many people would be willing to help you as many would be in the same situation. Apart from anything else it would help you to settle into your area and make some new friends so that you don't feel too isolated.

Good luck I hope all goes well.

I have this problem too, DH's parents are 3 hours away and my mum is at least 5 (she has to have a nap halfway

I am not 'allowed' a home birth, have been told categorically that I will not be supported so I have 2 or 3 friends from playgroup that can take her in an emergency, and as their kids are same age I know they could cope for a few hours, plus I have already asked my neighbours with older kids if I go in the middle of the night if they could come and kip here until the IL's get here so I don't have to wake her up.

And I am only 12 weeks gone!

Hi Hothead

Where are you in Scotland? We were in same situation when DS2 was born a couple of months ago, but luckily he arrived a day before edd and just after mil arrived, but it was a worry. A couple of things we considered were asking one of the women from DS1's nursery and also getting someone through one of the nanny agencies (West of Scotland Nanny Agency or there's a couple of others in Glasgow - try Googling). Come join our Scottish thread in Pregnancy - it's changed names, something like bumps and bonnie bairns north of the border. Someone there might be able to help? We're planning a meet-up in May.