Labour and Birth alone, has anyone done this?

[littledorry]

My baby is due next month. Exh is not interested in the birth or baby. I shall have my family to look after my other two dcs and that is reassuring at least.
So..I will be giving birth (naturally or caesarean - will find out next week) alone. I don't have anybody I can take for support and am not having a doula.
I am a bit terrified of the 'idea' of being alone I suppose and wondered how those of you who have also done this, managed to cope. Practicalities etc

I have a friend who gave birth 'alone' in the sense of no partner/friend supporting her, as her DP (now DH) couldn't get there in time (wrong end of the country!). I think you get a lot more attention from the MW's in this case. Perhaps link to this on the childbirth thread and you will get more replies.

Hope everything goes OK for you.

Oops, I thought this would be a good place to post.
thank you, I'll try to link here and see if that produces more replies.

Oops, I thought this would be a good place to post.
thank you, I'll try to link here and see if that produces more replies.

Oooh, I did this. The midwives really look after you and you tend to get one to stay with you the whole time you are in the delivery suite. I would have had the same m/w the whole way through staying with me but there was a shift change as my labour was a long one. It's a bit boring as you have no one to get really excited with etc, and I got a bit jealous and sad seeing the other mums afterwards with their dh's cuddling the baby etc, but you feel so close to your baby as you know it is just yours and you don't have to let anyone else cuddle it. MIL picked me up the next day so she could see her grandchild (the dad wasn't there) and the staff are much kinder to you-they fuss over your baby and tell you s/he is the most beautiful on the ward etc

I didn't have that experience at all
The midwives saw i was alone and since there was noone to witness their behaviour, they were just sticking needles in me left right and centre to calm me down and keep me still for an epidural i was clear i didn't want. They even broke my waters without permission. Also had 3 shift changes during my long labour and a transfer 50 miles to hospital from a ncie birthing suite, then more shift changes - these were qute traumatic as i got quite attached to the midwives, some were nicer than others, and was begging them to stay but they couldn't. i felt so very alone. I'd say have someone on standby in case things don't go to plan! and it was depressing afterwards, noone to go out and get me chocolate or bring me things - i couldn't move from bed for three days and was constantly calling nurses. but some hospitals don't allow many visitors anyway.
Sorry for my negative post...! most births run smoothly and i am sure yours will. i was planning the perfect birth, it's such a joke, ended up in theatre, v traumatic.

iknow its not the same,(h looked after dd1) I didnt want to be alone, so i contacted the local nct and asked if there was anyone their who could dothe job. h got me to hospital then left with dd and even though the person who i had only met once ,couldnt come at once it was still helpful to know she was on the way.she was great with gas and air,relly encouraging. gave a donation in thanks.

Oh, poor thing and poor you Milfandone

I was alone for most of mine - both actually - picked, erm, inappropriate partners...

Pregnancy alone wasn;t fun but I had my mother there for the firts birth - she was great - and she really wanted to be there. Second time I had got to know a really brilliant woman and we had become friends, and she asked to be there - I didn't thinks he meant it but she turned up and was absolutely fantastic. I think it helps if you have someone who wants to be there.

I also had a doula (trainee, didn't have to pay) who was nice but a bit blown away by it all, she hadn't been to a birth before, except her own which were medically managed and mine was very fast and raw and at home.

You might even feel better if you have a home borth - your own territory, you're more in control iyswim.

I think it would have been Ok without anyone though in a way - I don't know. Emotionally it's hard to not have that support, I really feel for you x

Hello Littledorry
This is my first time posting on this site, but after reading your post, I really feel the need to share my experience. My Exh left when I was 7 months pg without warning. I had a 4 year old to look after and I was terrified about giving birth on my own. The first time around I had had a c section. I didn't want my Exh there as he left me for someone else.
I saw my consultant to beg for a c section as I thought that I could not face going through the emotional journey of labour alone. He convinced me to go for it alone and told me women had been doing it for years on their own!
Anyway, I went into labour, got to hospital with my brother in law and 17 hours later gave birth to my dd (just me and the midwife present). I can honestly say it was one of the most empowering things I have done! It was a wonderful experience, the midwives and support staff were all fab.
Yes, you may be a little sad watching the other families around you but you and you little one will always have that extra special bond.
Good luck...please believe me when I say things will get better. I'm living proof of that..take care

Hi ya i did it i felt over whelmed with the baby i forgot about the father i stayed in hospital for 3 days so the nurses kindly put me in a side room so i didnt have to see the happy dads with their babies, baby now 8 months daddy still not interested goodluck it sounds like your family is behind you, you are going to be fine