Keeping her to ourselves for a bit

[Clarashan]

Just wondering how long after actually baby actually arriving did you tell people? Family have kind of piled on during the pregnancy and made it all about them so seriously thinking about having some time just Me, DH and baby once she's here. Not talking extremes but just a bit of time to ourselves.

Most people let fàmily know as soon as DC is born, especially dgps. You could just tell them visitors welcome after (date)

Told 'people' immediately. People would be parents (grandparents) of baby. The news filtered out through them. Don't know why you would want to keep it secret?

Not a secret, im literally talking hours not like days or weeks

I felt like you too and I was scared about having to share this little baby which was just mine up until then! Turns out when she arrived I wanted everyone to know and I couldn't wait for them to meet her so they could gush about how wonderful she was (and still is). I'd recommend waiting and doing what you feel is right at the time. You're welcome to say that you don't want visitors at the hospital etc and then wait a day when you get home or so to invite people round. Just be careful because I didn't look after myself in that first week because of so many visitors! Enjoy your little one ❤️

We told all the relevant people that baby had been born, but also said we wanted no visitors for a week... be firm, your baby, your moment.. you won't get it back.

We too have very demanding families so I hear what you are saying Op. we are going to give it a day or so. With my father in law we shall be leaving it a couple of weeks until I feel better. Otherwise they will be round making demands.
Unfortunately if you have previous bad behaviour points, you don’t get to know till later.
At our Ante-natal class they suggested sticking a note on your front door with your husbands number on it and words to the efffect of “Thank you so much for popping by, if you would like to see us and meet new baby please text DH to arrange a suitable time.”
I thought what good advice this was.

Totally fine and understandable to want to keep baby to yourself for a little bit! DC1 due 22/09, and we’ve been preparing family by saying we’ll ‘let them know when baby is here, but we’ll probably want a week alone to figure ourselves out’ (none of our fam live close to us, which kind of helps as they can’t just drop by). I certainly don’t intend of telling anyone when i’ve gone into labour! Your birth, your baby, your rules OP.

Both times (induced) I turned off my phone and hubby told immediate family by phone once baby safely born.

I had no visitors in hosp (12 days stay with 1st and 36 hour stay with 2nd) with either bar my husband / mum.

I was home a couple of days before anyone visited both times.

Not in a controlling planned way but just how it worked out - Family appreciated I needed time to rest and to establish breastfeeding.

Hopefully this time round they will be offering to take older two to the park / for walks etc for us.

He open with people and they are more likely to respect your wishes.

So where I am (not in the UK) if everything goes well they aim to get you out and home within 4-6 hours. I was thinking of sending the obligatory text/ message etc once we were home. I have already had family saying once we let them know that will give them enough time to get to our house and 'put up balloons and banners'. This is not my type of thing anyway, let alone within hours of giving birth.

Family are traveling to see us so wouldn't keep them waiting too long (they insisted on being around when baby is born and were not happy in the slightest when i suggested leaving it a few weeks. I was called out of order and selfish for not wanting them to stay with us for the first week but they have slowly come round) but you can see why we want some time to ourselves.

Thanks for all the advice, I have been told so much (by them and only them) that I am being out of line that I was starting wonder if they were right

When our first was born we had visitors at the hospital but no one at home until day 3. With our second we had no one at hospital and visitors for an hour or two on day 1 (my parents and they brought our eldest back). We'd had about 12 or 13 hours together just us due to time of being discharged from hospital.

I reckon you let them know that baby has been born at about 7pm of the day they are born but say you're heading to bed as you're tired and you'll see them the next day - if this is something that you're happy with of course. But make sure you do what you are comfortable with.