Caring for parent and pregnant?

[Wrongtime4baby]

I posted in another section but haven't had any replies yet. I'm just wondering if anyone has been through this or something similar.

I'm the main carer for my elderly parent, there's no other family or friends around to help. They went back into hospital yesterday and I don't yet know the extent of the issues that are happening now, but it's likely that mobility will be affected.

I've also just found out I'm unexpectedly pregnant. Am I being ridiculous to think I could have this baby and continue caring? I know I'll need help especially near the birth and after it, how difficult is it to get outside carers for a respite period?

I keep flicking between this is going to be awful, stressful, not possible. And it will be fine, just different.

You will cope but it won't be easy. I would try and get outside help in for your parent dinner rather than later even if it's just one visit a day to help with rising / lunch / housework. It's much easier to increase carers once they are already in place.
And congratulations!

Congratulations! As pp has said, getting care in now is a good plan.
Make sure you get in touch with the hospital and explain the situation- get a discharge assessment/ ot assessment to get equipment etc in place. No doubt your elderly will say they need no help because 4baby does everything. Make sure hospital knows.
Do they/ you have attendance allowance/ carers allowance?

Thank you both very much, is reassuring just to hear you say it's possible!

No carers allowance yet, we've been waiting forever for pip claims to go through.

Do you have a partner? You need to start slowly withdrawing from the day to day care now. Ring the discharge coordinator tomorrow and tell them that you cannot do routine care. Put this in writing, repeatedly. You will always end up doing bits and pieces but before discharge is a great time to get things sorted.

Totally agree. I would have a serious think about what level of care you want to provide.

If your DParent were to most of their needs met by Carers and Cleaners, it would free you up to spend more quality time with them. You'd also be able to take days off, for instance if the baby was ill.

Phoning the Discharge Team on the ward tomorrow is a really good idea. Like others have said, your DO is likely to say that they don't need any assistance at all because you do everything. You need to let them know that you are PG and caring is no longer an option.

I can see that you've applied for PIP, it might be worth checking what other benefits they may be entitled to.

Congratulations on your PG as well

Thank you everyone for your advice. Unfortunately it wasn't meant to be and I lost the pregnancy.

So sorry
Take time to look after yourself

So sorry op🌺🌺

I'm s sorry to hear that. It doesn't mean you need to keep caring though. If it is too much for you then all the above still applies.

So sorry for your loss