What would you do if you go into labour on your own with a child?

[Ottmotherx2]

My partner lives an hour away and works further away and my mother lives an hour and a half away. It only took a little over 2 hours to give birth to my first and I have been told your next is quicker!

If I go into labour and I am lucky enough that they can drop everything and get to me in around a little over an hours time to look after my first child i don't think I will be able to transfer to the hospital by then.

How would you plan for this?

Make a really good local friend who can have DC1 for the interim hour while DP or DM travel.

Cross fingers and hope it happens when DC1 at school or nursery!

Have DM or DP come to stay / go to theirs for a few weeks before the birth.

As a neighbour / acquaintance I would be more than happy to help anyone out in this situation - it just depends how tough DC1 would find being left with someone they don't know well.

How does a home birth work in these circs? Would that be an option?

I am thinking of having that as an option but just in case. Just a little worried I might have to do this all by myself

How long did all your labours take? Are they all quicker next time round?

Work commitments mean that they can't stay until the baby is born

I am not able to stay there with my first. Not enough space..

Talk to your midwife. They should give you a home birth kit in case it's too late to transfer you. Agree try and have a few local friends/neighbours contacts that could have your DD. If things start progressing quickly call an ambulance and leave the door open so they can get in if you can't move by then.

I'd leave dc1 with local friend / neighbour and set off for the hospital (presuming dc1 wasn't at school or Nursery, in which case, omit step 1).

I'm new to the area and don't know many people.. will have to try make friends fast!

My first is only 1yrs old

Could your mum come and stay for a week before and week after your due date as a safety net?? Or could your partner take leave??

No neither can afford to unfortunately

If you don't think you'll make it to hospital, call 999. We're trained to help :) and yes to leaving your door unlocked so the crew can get in.

Contact a few local childminders or babysitters in your area and ask if they would be willing to care for DD in these circumstances?? Have a couple as back up in case one is working etc

I had a quick delivery and was in the same position. DH at work an hour away and just me and my DD here. I was able to have a private midwife service called one to one midwives if they are available in your adea they have been brilliant for me. They are much more involved the whole pregnancy and assigned me a very local midwife just in case. My 1st delivery was 3hrs 5 mins and this one was slightly longer at 4 hrs 30 mins so did manage to make it to hospital etc as planned. The midwife advised me to let her know any suspected labour pains and she came and checked me over very early into labour so we were able to be more prepared and everyone got to me in time. Good luck!

In the very worst case, you give birth on your own with your dd there with you. In that situation dd goes in the cot (so she isn't climbing on you) and you give birth on the floor. With any luck the ambulance has arrived and the paramedics are with you. I'd think a labouring woman on her own would be quite high priority.
If there was time, you would have phoned local friend/neighbour/childminder to come and help with your dd.
I have three dc, and had two home births. I spoke at length to dd who was aged 2.4 and then 4.6 when her siblings were born about what would happen, how she could help, how to react. But your dd is too young for any of that.
I suggest you prepare for a home birth and have supplies just in case, a shower curtain and a pile of towels should do.
I seem to remember reading that a lot of second labours/births start once the older children are safe, either in bed or at school, as though your body has been waiting for a safe/quiet time to allow you peace to have the baby (this was the case for both my home births- one started at 10pm, the other at 8pm, dc were all in bed and slept through the whole thing).

Call an ambulance as soon as you go into labour. They'll bring DC1 with you to hospital as for obvious safeguarding reasons they won't leave small children alone in a house.
Pack a bag for her in advance, with a couple of toys & a favourite comfort object. Keep it with your labour bag.
Then have DP & DM meet you in the hospital.
DC1 will probably be either kept with you initially or whisked away to sit at the nurses station if things are progressing/she's getting upset.

You'll both be safe and cared for regardless of how fast DC2 decides to make their entrance. Though whoever of DP/DM gets there first will probably be expected to look after DC1.

Thank you

I have written a list of what to organise for DC1 in case this happened. It would be handy if this happens at night.

I wouldn't have the money for a private midwife.

Sorry I wasn't clear our private midwife was all funded by the NHS so I haven't paid for it. I don't know if they are available in your area.

Ooo ok. I will look into that.

Thanks