Childcare during labour

[Inittowinitall]

I’m currently overdue with my third baby, I have 14 year old twins.
It was arranged for many months that my mum would have the twins whilst I’m in hospital giving birth, as I didn’t feel comfortable leaving them home alone and vulnerable whilst I could be there for days.
She has very kindly informed me that she can no longer have them as she has conveniently arranged for building work to begin tomorrow and will be staying with her boyfriend. I offered alternative arrangements to her, even paying for a hotel for the 3 of them, tried finding other relatives to help but no one is interested. I feel very let down and hurt, especially as I could go into labour any moment.
The twins are easy, they will just watch tv or play on their phones, there isn’t any behavioural issues or demands that would put people off, but when alone they tend to argue. Unfortunately their dad has never been involved and I have no one else to ask for help at such short notice.
Would you leave them home alone overnight if labour began in the night? I know they’d be fine in the day time but overnight worries me, the stress of not knowing what to do is making me so anxious.

I think 14 year olds are old enough to be on their own in the day. Your DH is only 20 minutes away should a problem occur. If labour starts in the middle of the night your DH will have to drop you off at the hospital and return him. The hospital will call when birth is imminent.
I’m sure if there is a mad dash in the middle of the night, 2 14 year olds tucked up in bed would be fine.

They’re 14, not 4. It’s not ideal but I’d sit them down and have a very serious conversation about the fact that you may have to leave them alone, and they are not to fuck about or argue and that if you have to send DH home to referee petty arguments whilst you are having a baby you will be furious. At that age they are capable of understanding the gravity of the situation and taking it seriously.

Can DP not stay at yours, in between being there for you?

I agree, I would leave them alone at 14 years.
You can tell them the plan and let them know if your leaving.
Its only 20 mins away as well so your partner will be able to come back if needed or if time once you have been dropped off.

The hospital is around 20 minute drive so DH could check on them regularly, but understandably he doesn’t want to miss his first childs’ birth either.

I think at 14 with two of them- with someone who could get back if any problem arose and will at most likely be one night - while not great should be okay - though depends on the teens.

We had a similar problem with my parents and last pg- luckily we'd been pushing for a HB which I understand isn't option for you- but our MW were horrible about DH potentially staying at home with toddlers and not being around to be birth partner but that was our only option if I'd had to go in.