Just wondered if anyone had any experience of going through labour in a hospital without any family or friends present.
For a bit of context, my husband is in the military and won't be able to be there. (Something we knew was a possibility from the outset and although sad about It, I have come to terms with).
I need my mum to look after my 2 year old, aside from the fact that she has already said she doesn't feel up to coming to hospital with me and it will be too stressful for her.
A couple of lovely friends have offered to be there. I do really appreciate them having asked but they also have their own children / commitments and I'm kind of thinking it might be better to have them to call on if I need something AFTER the labour. For e.g. if I need something quickly from mothercare (Or just a massive bar of chocolate).
My first labour was relatively "easy" in the sense that I didn't need any medical intervention, apart from needing an antibiotic IV for strep B infection. This is something which I will also need for my second labour which rules out a home birth or giving birth in a midwife run unit.
First labour was also quite quick with only 5 hours active labour.
I'm a fairly independent person and feel like I am strong enough to do this alone, but my health visitor and midwife have both said ideally I should try and have someone else there.
Has anyone else done it alone? If so, how did you feel? Any regrets? Also, logistically how did you get to the hospital?
Thanks in advance.