How to prepare for a possible fast labour with other DC

4 replies

Mangobubbles · 14/05/2015 08:58

36 weeks pregnant with DC3 and panicking about going into labour. My two previous births were quick, DC1 was 4 hours, just made it to hospital, DC 2 came 2 weeks early, one hour home birth, total fluke that the midwife made it in time, DH happened to work from home and DC1 was at local gym crÃ¨che as I was planning to go for a swim. I don't seem to have any first stage of labour, waters don't break then suddenly I'm near enough ready to push. I'm worried about this birth, going into labour by myself or worse, with the children there (3&5y) DH works an hour away and can only work from home some times, my parents live an hour away. I have a few friends who can be on stand by for some of the days around due date. What can I do to make sure I'm prepared? Other than teach my DC how to dial 999, make sure car has petrol, have hospital bag packed, registered for
home birth, have a list of necessary phone numbers by the phone? Any advice would be gratefully received.....

OP posts:

Coraltee123 · 14/05/2015 10:44

I had my daughter at 36 weeks so I didn't even have my bag packed properly and she came really fast too was lucky I was kept in the hospital! The only advice I can give is to have everything ready and show your little ones how to phone their daddy. Or get your partner to work at home coming up to the due date of not have a friend or relative with you at all times :) sorry I'm not more helpful i don't think you can ever be prepared for fast labours xxx

AmberLav · 14/05/2015 12:07

Befriend any sensible neighbour, so that they can pop into look after the kids at short notice! I had a long labour with DC1, but a short one with DC2, thankfully my in-laws are close by who could pop over and stay the night with DC1.

You will find that there are a lot of people who will help you out, as long as you feel comfortable to ask.

Also, what are your early labour symptoms? I worked out a few hours before that my irregular braxton hicks were now exactly 20 minutes apart, through incredibly mild, and that was my first sign. My waters break about 5 minutes before I deliver, so that's never been a useful sign for me!

Picklesauage · 14/05/2015 14:06

I'm in a similar position, my first DD was 3 1/2 hrs. And subsequent miscarriage was class as extremely expedient! I have an 'extremely effective uterus'.
I am currently 33+4 and have started my plan! My mum is staying from 39 weeks and before that I am having an 'On call rota' for 2 weeks. Basically a friend or neighbour who is guaranteed to be local and can get to me within 30 mins. Mainly for childcare reasons, but to drive me to hosp if necessary. My DH works 3 mins from the hospital so if things go quickly my 'on call' person will drive me there and meet him.

That being said I am terrified! I am so scared of suddenly going into labour at home with a 3 year old. I went from nought to contractions 2 mins apart last time with little/no breaks in between.
I don't want to traumatise my DD.

Letmeeatcakecakecake · 14/05/2015 14:17

Agree about the sensible neighbour!

Depending on what your children are like I wouldn't worry too much about them being there, my son (5) was at my home birth and he got on really well, we would go upstairs and watch TV, then come down to see how things were going or show the midwife something and then was there for the last push and saw his baby sisters first breath once she was out of the water, it's not right for everyone, BUT it was right for our family.

Have you got a TV and Dvd player in another room? Could you teach the children both how to use the TV and DVD player and ask them to go watch TV when things feel like they're happening?

Flip