5th child on the way!!!!!!

[claire103]

I already have a 14, 5, 4, and 18 month old. I am now 9 weeks pregnant with my 5th and whilst happy am still nervous. we no longer speak to our families and me and my husband take care of our kids with no help which is how we like it. only problem we face is who will look after our kids when I go into labour??? no friends and don't really know neighbours.

Hi there. Congratulations on number 5! I'm on number 5 too, 31+5 with a little girl. My dc are 8, 7, 5 and 3 (in a week), we're in the same situation as you. Dh's family are the only form of childcare we get and they live close by but they are not keen to look after our children for more than a couple of hours at a time so we're going for a home birth. Hopefully, everything will go smoothly, the contingency plan being that if I need to be transferred into hospital, I'll go alone. A case of having to really.

thanks for your reply. congrats to you too x can't have home birth as all 4 of mine were assisted births ( venture or forceps) so can't risk it. husband definitely wants to be at birth. its a dilemma.

Have the 5 & 4 to got school friends?

Then the 14yo could babysit the toddler?

Yeah they've got friends but only say brief hello to moms, don't really socialise with any of them. my husband would not trust 14 year old to look after them, he's living with his grandparents now so that would be out of the question.

What did you do when all your other children were born re childcare?

I see, yes you don't want to risk being at home if every one has been assisted. Only my first was assisted, I'm lucky in that respect. If your 14 year old is living with his grandparents, would they mind watching the younger ones for a bit?

Congratulations!

that's the problem!!! in the past either my husband or my parents have looked after the children. although my son lives with my parents now they don't speak to me. neither mine nor my husbands family have any contact with us. sometimes it's OK and we love bringing our kids up by ourselves but in situations like this it can be difficult.

I know you said dh wants to be there but seeing as your options are so limited, what about him watching dc and a friend or even a doula to be with you?

we'll have to see. don't really have any friends. Guess it's a long way off yet so have a few months to think about it.x

I'm on my 5th too. I'm currently 11+3.
My other children are 16,14,10 and 9 - I feel like I'm starting again.

I'm hoping that when labour comes around, one of the grandparents will be available to sit the kids. If not, the older ones are more then capable of watching the smaller ones for a short time. I'm not going to panic yet.

Get a nanny to cover? Pay them for a week to cover a few days before and after

don't think we could afford a nanny lol but thanks for the advice x

congratulations ohjellybelly x it's hard work but always wanted a big family x

Can you start trying to build up friendships with a few school mums, so you have someone to ask nearer the time. Most people would be happy to help.

maybe once I start showing some of the moms will talk to me more. I don't know. I'm sure it will sort out, got 6 months.

Could you maybe ask at the school if a TA or similar would help out for an agreed amount.