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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Has anyone actually taken their kids with them into hospital while waiting for help to arrive?

11 replies

Janus · 30/04/2008 19:41

Just posted this in the pregnancy section but maybe this is where I should have posted.
I'm hoping to God I don't have to do this but my situation is ...
We moved house 3 months ago to a totally new area. My parents live 3 hours away, I am due in 2 weeks. My Mum and Dad are coming 6 days before I am due (due to their own circumstances). My other 2 children were both 4 days late. I'm hoping this one will be too!!!
However, worst case scenario is that I go into labour with no notice, ie wake up at 4am suddenly in labour. Have no established friends here yet that I can ring at that hour. So, ring my parents, they can then drop everything and come but there's the 3 hour journey. My other 2 labours have been quick, with dc2 I was 10cms and pushing within 4 hours. Hospital is also 45 minutes drive away.
So, if we turn up to hospital with children but explain my parents are on their way, would the hospital go nuts? I could only imagine we would have them there for about an hour before my parents got to us but it may be at the crucial stage, ie giving birth. Children are 5 and 7 and will stay put if told, ie if told to stay in another room where other half could be with them and then keep checking on me.
Has anyone had to do this?
Sorry for rambling post but this is playing on my mind.
Of course, if labour started at 10am they'd be in school and problem solved but sod's law is it will be 4am!

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mamalocco · 30/04/2008 20:03

We had to take DD1 with us when I went into labour with DS and she was in the room when he was born. I have really quick labours and didn't have time to make other arrangements. She was 2.4 at the time - and was a little upset - I remember her saying "mummy's hurting" and me saying through gritted teeth that I was fine! It wasn't really a problem - DH was tending to her rather than getting under my feet! I'm sure hospitals deal with this all the time. Don't worry and good luck.

Original poster

Janus · 30/04/2008 21:10

Thanks mamalocco, feel a bit calmer! Did you mention your situation when you rang the hospital or turn up with little one? Also, did you get the feeling they were really peed off or OK? Thanks again.

OP posts:

maxbear · 30/04/2008 21:14

If you have to take them in, you have to take them in. If at all possible the hospital will help you out if they are not manically busy. It doesn't happen too much but sometimes it does.

I might as well say before someone else does what about a homebirth? If it happens at night they might not even wake up. Of course the problem then is if you need to transfer, but if you are low risk then your likelyhood of transfer is only 10% as you have had children before.

maxbear · 30/04/2008 21:15

I'm a midwife btw and would not be at all peed off as long as there was someone coming and it was a last resort thing. Many mw's have their own children and would understand that you can't just leave them with anyone.

milfAKAmonkeymonkeymoomoo · 30/04/2008 21:17

whereabouts are you Janus? Could a MNetter help ?

mamalocco · 30/04/2008 21:31

Had mine at a birth centre rather than hospital - so maybe they were a bit more relaxed, but no didn't tell them beforehand and didn't get any negative feedback about dd1 being there. Except from dd1 who mentioned three years after the event she didn't like the biscuits the midwife gave her - guess that means she wasn't too traumatised by seeing me give birth!

beforesunrise · 30/04/2008 22:01

Janus- at my hospital they told me they'd rather we take dd along than delay going to hospital because we can't arrange childcare. your kids are old enough that they don't need constant babysitting i think (your dh could go back and forth between you and them while your parents get there), so perhaps just pack a separate bag for them with books, snacks, gameboy etc just in case? and def mention to your mw to hear their views.

am also quite stressed about this (dd is 2y2m so trickier) but have decided things will just work themselves out somehow...

littlelamb · 30/04/2008 22:09

I'm worried about this too- due in 4 weeks and don't really know who is going to have dd. My maternity unit has been really great though- I have been in several times in the last few weeks because of various problems, and have had to take dd, who is 3, with me. When I was in on Sunday I saw a lovely consultant who said don't even think twice about bringing her in if I have to- once we are there arrangements can be made, and they would prefer me to be in hospital waiting for someone to come and get her than on my own at home. I have been thinking about a homebirth, but after dd was born I had a bad haemmorhage and that has been playing on my mind, although I do think that I would cope better with labour at home, and would certainly want to come straight home anyway if I did give birth in hospital.

BigBadMouse · 30/04/2008 22:20

We are in the same boat too with no-one to babysit our DDs. DDs have just turned 2 and 4 and DC3 is due in 2 weeks. Homebirth is out for us and the hospital is an hour away.

I was taken into hospital at 18 weeks for unexpected problems (with DDs in tow) and the MWs were fine about it all. It's such a shame that so many people seem to be in a similar position.

Hope it all works out well for all of you.

BetsyBoop · 30/04/2008 22:34

Just offering another option - Have you thought about a doula?

My plan C for 2yo DD was that I would go in with Doula & DH stay with DD at home until help arrived.

plan A being MIL and hr+ away

plan B being next door neighbour who we know really well but who had a long weekend away booked just before my due date

(Also got a Doula as DH works 4hrs away from home M-F, plan D was take DD to hospital with me & doula until DH/MIL arrived - I think I had all bases covered!)

If you have to take DC with you to the hospital, you won't be the first, nor the last in this position I'm sure

hertsnessex · 01/05/2008 10:07

I have looked after a clients children whilst she went into hospital to have the baby. I met them a couple of times before and it went really well. We didn;t do any 'doula' things I would do if I was booked for a birth or pn but it was the same principal that I was 'on-call' for her.

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