Anyone else got no childcare for when in labour?

[WhoahThereCrazyHorse]

Am basically putting my head in the sand and hoping it will happen during the day when DD'a at nursery! That's not very sensible is it... :)

Are there no friends you could ask, or would one of the nursery staff be prepared to be on standby? Otherwise, are there any nanny agencies near you who provide short-term emergency cover?

I guess only other alternative is that your DP/Dh looks after DD and you get another birthing partner.

have a home birth if poss?

Yea u may need your dp to have little one. I have heard labour does more likely happen in v early hours of the morning but obv u can't go on that as it can happen any time but both mine started at about 2am

Home birth doesnt necessarily solve it though, depending on age of child. Most people I know who have had a home birth have sent young siblings off to stay with GP's/ friends etc once active labour starts, as if things go awry, probably not great for 2/3 yr old to see mummy getting blue-lighted.......or indeed just seeing mummy in pain/ not coping etc.

This is pretty much the only reason I'm planning a home birth for second time around - hate the thought of labouring alone but since DP would have to stay with DS if I were to go into hospital so thats pretty much what would have to happen...I'm kinda sticking my had in the sand too (not even pregnant so bit of a moot point atm!)

Hope it works out for you

Yes nursery staff is a potential solution, no family nearby and friends all are clueless childless or have young kids and therefore can't commit to helping.....

I have to say I was so 'in the zone' that I didn't notice DH being there at all last time, so the thought of doing it on my own while he stays with DD doesn't fill me with dread.... guess I'd want him there if something went wrong though...

I would ask the nursery staff- am sure someone would help you out for a few quid, especially if it's just a case of sleeping over at yours.

Also, I think even childless friends could cope with that- I was the most clueless childless person, but even I could cope with nighttime babysitting, and if your DD ends up watching TV a bit late, eating junk and going to bed with no toothbrushing, it's not the end of the world.

raises hand I am in the same boat, I have no childcare and there is nobody at all DD (21 months) trusts except her Nanna who lives 4 hours away... People have offered to have her for me, but she doesnt know them and has never spent any time with them and I hate the thought of her distressed :(

Im hoping for a homebirth and that it will happen at night and both dd and DS (8, so not a problem) will sleep through it all but I know theres a good chance of that not happening as I have gestaional diabetes and they are going to want me to go in.

"Fuck- fuckity fuck" springs to mind! So, my head is firmly in the sand too... got a few weeks to go yet anyway, I can panic closer to the time!

I have no family near by, but had four different sets of friends on standby, on the basis that 1 of them would be available at any point. No formal rota or anything, just lots of people lined up. There was a Sat eve when everyone was out/away at once. Was a bit worried because DD was due in half term, but she camera week early.

Ask about - neighbours, friends, other mums at nursery, colleagues?. You'll be surprised at how many people are willing to help with this sort of thing. I'm lucky because my mum's coming up but originally she thought she may not be able to so I started asking round and now I'm batting off the volunteers. If it happens before my mum arrives then my childless neighbour is on tenterhooks to move in, look after DD through the night, feed her breakfast, get her dressed and drop her at school (she's already packed a bag in the hallway just in case and I'm not due for 5 weeks - really must pack MY hospital bag ) Childless does not mean clueless just swallow your pride and ask.

We had this as nobody to look after DS, except my mum who has mobility issues so really only able to sit in the house if it kicked off once he was in bed for the night. The plan was for me to labour alone. In the end DS went to bed at about 8pm and my waters broke at 11pm. DH took me to hospital, leaving mum in the house with sleeping DS and DD was born at 1.25am and he then went home at about 4am to be there when DS woke.

And if I'm still in hospital by evening or it happens on a weekend then she's off on a sleep over with her friend