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Stressing out massively about childcare during childbirth - please give my head a wobble

7 replies

PregnantAgainOhMy · 06/06/2022 11:08

I grew up in a family that was very mentally damaging and insular. Having anyone do anything for me was such a massive issue and full of drama and you were made to literally grovel or be overly thankful until the end of your days. As a result I find it very hard to rely on anyone and strive to be as independent as possible. I know this is my issue and I am working to overcome this. My DH is wonderfully supportive.

My DD is due very soon. My DS is currently 2.

My sister has said she will take DS during childbirth. Daytime arrangement seems fine, they will take him back to hers and he will stay there. They have a DS of their own the same age and they do see each other about once a month so this seems like a perfect option.

I am really stressing about going into labour at night. Sister has said she will come and expect us to wake DS up even at 2am in the morning and take him back to hers. I have said I’d rather this not happen as he will be very confused and upset and will definitely not settle at theirs. I said she or her partner could come to ours, sleep here until morning and then take him, but she refuses to do this.

I could just about accept this as I understand it’s a one off, it’s not the end of the world and I may be being a little over protective. But now she has said she and her partner will then be going to work in the day and leaving both kids with her mother in law to look after. My DS does not know her mother in law at all. I am extremely uncomfortable with this.

I have an alternative option which is a relatively new friend we see once a week at a toddler group. She is a wonderful person, and has said she has no issue coming to look after DS. Day or night, she said to call her and she would come and stay at our house with DS.

But I am finding I have a massive mental block with this. To need to rely on someone with such an important task. I don’t want to inconvenience my friend. It’s like I have some horrendous guilt at someone doing such a big favour for me? It’s at the point where I am genuinely considering just telling my DH to stay at home and I’ll just go give birth alone. I know this tends to be habit of mine, I always tend to martyr myself rather than inconvenience or rely on anyone else.

Im just stressing out about this so much and I know I need to relax and focus on labour.

Please can someone talk some sense into me

OP posts:
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cdba88 · 06/06/2022 11:13

As long as you know and trust the friend enough, I'd say that's the better option.

DS going to your sisters at night would be fine, but being left with her MIL all day isn't ideal at all.

Sleepingb · 06/06/2022 11:16

For one day I don't think either option would be the end of the world. It might not even be a full day and might not be a night time event.

Don't martyr yourself over it - both you & DH lose out then.

starlingdarling · 06/06/2022 11:26

I don't think either option is bad unless you have a reason to worry about your sister's MIL? If he's safe and it means DH gets to be there to support you is it really such a big deal if he has one unsettled day?

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Poppins2016 · 06/06/2022 11:35

I think your friend sounds like your best option. I offered childcare to a friend in similar circumstances and 100% meant it with no expectations in return.

I've experienced similar toxic relationship dynamics in the past and I know that trying to re-frame and see 'normal relationships through a normal lense' takes time... but I've got to a point where I try to tell myself to leave the past in the past and try to take (unconnected) relationships in the present on face value... maybe this could be the first stepping stone on your journey to trusting 'normal' dynamics in a relationship.

LittleAvocet · 06/06/2022 11:39

I'd choose the friend as she wants to help and you know and trust her. You might be out quicker than you think, each birth is different. My DH dropped my eldest at my friend's house at 1am when I went in to hospital. DC2 was born at lunch-time. My friend had dropped DC1 to nursery in the morning and I was out of hospital by 5pm so my DH could collect DC1 from nursery.

Lizzieismagic · 06/06/2022 11:45

The chance to be a great friend at an exciting time isn't an inconvenience imo!! Take her up on her kind offer op.

BobbleWobble1 · 06/06/2022 16:14

I had similar challenges with DS2. Family a distance away and not particularly accomodating. Felt enormously guilty relying on friends (who had kindly offered) as it felt like such a burden when they had their own families. I think of your options, I would go with the friend. That was the decision I planned to go with in the end.

Just to add another spin on it. The decision was taken out of our hands in the end as both me and DH had covid so he had to look after DS1 and I did have DS2 on my own. It was honestly fine as although I'd have preferred to have DH with me, I didn't worry in the slightest about childcare and was totally relaxed about the whole thing. Also for what it's worth, night wasn't an issue as I went into labour at 2.30pm, DS was born just after 5pm and we stayed in til the next day. I'm not saying you should do this but just offering the reassurance that it is an option if you'd feel more comfortable.

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