Bad Mood - Trying to arrange childcare cover whilst giving birth

[User45632874]

I am 30+1 and due to give birth in March.
I have two dc's aged 11 and 4
I have had a previous late loss and would prefer it if my husband could be with me at birth...I have been anxious all along for the above reason.
There are various people - perhaps about 4 that I could ask to take care of my dcs BUT each of them has commitments and it is doing my head in trying to work out logistics of who to contact when, who will be available etc. confirming telephone numbers even asking for their help in the first place when I usually don't leave my dc with anyone.
I have no extended family (and feeling this too at the moment because I desperately need to call upon someone).
I have just bitten dh's head off when he suggested his grown up daughter who choses not to be a part of our lives and works full-time is called upon at a moments notice (and paid) - she works full time anyway.
I have contacted emergency childcare and the only way of guaranteeing a nanny is to block book someone - so it would cost several hundreds of pounds to employ someone that I wouldn't really use the rest of the time and I think it is awful to be held to ransom in this way. I am stressed to the hilt anyway about this pregnancy (due to the late loss) and the unpredictability of it all is completely stressing me. I like to think of myself as a capable person but this seems to be completely outside the realms of my control (despite my best efforts to make arrangements). What I want is someone to say, I will drop everything and be there at a moments notice and this is completely unrealistic given that my friends have children/part-time jobs etc. I hate this; not only have I got the wonderful (painful) joys of childbirth to look forward to, I am left dealing with this crappy situation and trying to get my head around giving birth alone which frightens me beyond belief. Sorry about the rant; there isn't much anyone can say/suggest really I don't think but I always feel better after having a rant on mumsnet.

Do you know (or your friends/neighbours know) any willing responsible teen babysitters who could be on call?

Quite honestly - if your DC end up out of routine (no school or preschool for the day if your babysitter can’t arrange school runs) it’s not the worst thing.

Try not to worry too much. And definitely ask your nice neighbours to be “on call” for middle of the night emergency backup. I’d do it fir a neighbour in a heartbeat- don’t feel embarrassed.

Do ask the preschool staff anyway- for one-off on-the-day paid care they might well be willing. Nothing ventured nothing gained. I know a few people who had this as a back-up option.

I am certain your neighbours will help out too. People do like to be needed. Ask them as a back up.

My town has a local network group on Facebook. There are always adverts from nannies, childminders and babysitters offering to do weekend/evening/daytime childcare (including last minute emergency cover). Maybe you could check if there are similar near you. Good luck op!

Thank you all. I think I've got the evenings/nights covered by one particular person but agree do need a back up and will arrange. It is all hinging on the local kindergarten as to whether I can secure all day childcare cover (the money is nothing - the relief would be immense!) It would be so much more straightforward if I can arrange this x

And thanks kitty, for the suggestion re. looking at adverts from nannies etc. I may well go down this route if kindergarten aren't able to help but it would be so much nicer for dd to be surrounded by familiar faces - at least she knows the staff there x