What to do with DC1 when labour starts?

[jurassicpark]

I'm 30 weeks and starting to think about what happens to our 2yr old toddler when it all kicks off. MIL wants her to stay at theirs but I would rather she was at home with all her things as she is about to experience a big change in her world. Also have no idea how long it may take (48 hours for first labour). Planning to head into hospital as late as poss but now thinking about home birth.
What did others do? Would you recommend?
Ta.

My sister stayed at our house with DD whilst her brother was born :)

As with a lot of pregnancies all great plans can quickly go out the window when it all kicks off so be sure you have a backup plan just in case as you can't always guarantee that the people you are relying on are going to be on hand when needed

I had a homebirth with DC2. Things happened fast before I could get DD in to bed. When she saw my waters break she said "I should go to Louis' house now" so I called my good friend (louis' mother) and she came and collected her for the night. Do whatever you think is best, but I don't really think the kids mind too much so long as they are prepared and it's someone they know and are used to etc.

Ask your MIL or another relative to be on 24 hour call out so they can come to you when you need to head to the hospital. I agree with wanting your DD to be at home, although our DD stayed over nanny and Grandads as a special treat for becoming a big sister the first night.

We dropped my DD (aged 16mths at the time) to my sisters who lives just 5 mins away when I went into labour with DD2. Only to have my sister turn up at the hospital half an hour later because she was so upset seeing me in pain and had got our Dad over to babysit my DD and her DS.

2nd baby is meant to come in half the time of the first. I think once your body has done it once it has a pretty good idea how to get things moving a bit quicker the next time. DD1 took 8 hours, DD2 was less than 2 hours...!

If you prefer DD to be at home then you have every right to ask someone to sit with her. But if you have to send her to a relative or friend, make it an adventure and a special treat for her.

Best of luck with everything!

I agree, have MIL come to yours. If she is willing to help, then she will understand :)