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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Christmas babies!

61 replies

Rubyshoos · 24/09/2007 14:14

Hi Everyone,
My baby is due December 22nd and I'm just wondering what you other ladies pregnant with christmas babies are planning on doing? My parents live about an hour out of London (I'm having the baby at St Mary's Paddington) and my mother really wants us with the family on Christmas Day. I'm so worried that I'll go into Labour on Christmas Eve or Christmas day and have to do the one hour drive up the M4 into London. Should I just stay in London and sit it out (and strike christmas this year) or should I risk it and go home for the night? My sister in law said when she was in labour the last thing she wanted to do was sit in a car - therefore I should stay in London as the car journey would be uncomfortable. In a perfect world the baby will be early and I'll avoid all this stress, but knowing my luck, he/she will choose to arrive on Christmas day!

any suggestions, much appreciated!

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RGPargy · 24/09/2007 15:10

Stay at home! Sod Christmas!

PregnantGrrrl · 24/09/2007 15:28

your mother should have more consideration! stay home and comfy, bugger the lot of them!

Gemy · 24/09/2007 15:31

I would have a little christmas all to yourself - just you and your DH. It'll be a while before you get to spend any quality time together, so you may aswell take this opportunity and enjoy it!

I am due 27th Dec and hoping the baby does not come early (I was born Christmas day and although I love having a birthday on this day, feel really sorry at the thought of my poor mum being in that much pain on what should be an enjoyble day!)

Naetha · 24/09/2007 15:36

I'd go for the chilled out christmas with you and DH - you'll see plenty of your parents after the birth!

And if they really want you there for Christmas dinner, then they can bring it all to you and tidy up afterwards too!

chunkypudding · 24/09/2007 15:53

I'm due 3rd Jan and my fella is so worried that the baby will decide to put in an appearance on xmas day! Mostly cos he wants a drink...

So my folks are coming to ours - means that we have company/support (we both get on really well with them, they are lovely) and I have more people to run around bringing me food

I think that if you are going to be stressing if you have to do the car journey etc then its really important to put yourself first - I'm sure your Mum is just trying to do right by you, but if all you want to do is lie on the sofa then it should be just you and your man, or your folks should come to you. No-one else is going to be about to give birth so it seems only fair that you get xmas on your own terms!

Scanner · 24/09/2007 15:57

Two of my babies have been the Christmas variety. DD2 was born in early Jan and the Christmas before we had at home without any family. To be honest I was very uncomfortable and not having anybody around meant I brooded, I could have done with the distraction.

DS was due on Dec 28th, but arrived on Dec 19th this time we had both sets of grandparents staying, I decided that they could all look after me . As he arrived a little early it meant I could spend lots of quality time getting to know my baby while everyone helped out cooking and looking after the dd's.

I would not recommend you stay anywhere but your own home, where you can be as comfortable as possible. Long car drives in late pg aren't funny let alone in the middle of labour.

meemar · 24/09/2007 16:02

Do you mean that if the baby is born on 22nd your mum wants you to come to her's for xmas with a 3 day old baby? I think that will be the last thing on your mind!

I think you should give yourself a break and stay at home, if the baby comes on time you will be relaxed and at home on xmas day settling in nicely. If you are overdue, you don't want the stress of not being near the hospital.

I too think your mum is being a little thoughtless, although probably without realising.

Cherrypie32 · 24/09/2007 16:07

It's such a difficult all isn't it! I am due 23rd Dec and am still deciding best thing to do. We have a choice between invite to Xmas lunch at relatives approx 40 mins away or stay at home just the two of us. I am putting my foot down at having anyone to stay or entertaining. If we travel my other half will not be drinking and can get me bck quick if needs be. I wouldn't go if I felt even vaguely like something might be happening (not sure I'll recognise signs but hoping instinct will kick in!!) On the positive side, the roads would be clear! An early arrival would obviously clear the whole thing up, but I have read statistic that only 25% hit due date, so unlikely and could still be sat at home 2 weeks later...just waiting..

NKF · 24/09/2007 16:10

Due on the 22nd. Don't move. Don't lift a finger. Christmas babies are the perfect excuse to do exactly what you want.

susiemj · 24/09/2007 16:17

Our baby is due in January and we're going to spend a quiet Christmas together I think. We'll have a new house too so there will be a lot of adjustments for us to make.

A relative has invited himself to stay with us but it doesn't feel right so I'm going to say no. We'll be busy enough with visitors when the baby does come.

Have a hunch she might come early though. Maybe wishful thinking...

bettythebuilder · 24/09/2007 16:20

I was due 28th Dec with first child. Mum and Dad live a couple of hours away, so came to stay with us for christmas. Good job, too, because I went into labour on Christmas Eve, and had dd on Christmas Day.

there is no way I would have wanted to drive more than the 10 minutes to the hospital while I was in labour!!

Original poster

Rubyshoos · 24/09/2007 17:18

Thanks for all your wise words of wisdom - will think I will try and convince the family to bring christmas to us. Bettythebuilder what's it like having a daughter with a christmas day birthday, how do you celebrate it?

OP posts:

bettythebuilder · 24/09/2007 19:11

We've not quite got it cracked, yet

At first we did birthday in the morning, then a birthday lunch, and Christmas in the afternoon with Christmas dinner in the evening.

That hasn't really worked for the last couple of years (dd is now 4)though, because when she sees her stocking from Santa, it's v. difficult to say "no, you'll have to wait 'til afternoon to open those pressies"

We now combine it all, and even open a birthday pressie or 2 on Christmas Eve, and keep some over for boxing day.

I still think she misses out a bit, though, so we only gave her a small b'day pressie last year, then bought a proper pressie (a bike) on her 'half birthday' in june.

Ambi · 24/09/2007 21:20

Hi Ruby, join us on the antenatal boards, due in dec, theres a few ladies due around xmas date, I'm due early dec so hopefully should have recovered ok to do the visiting etc. I reckon chill out at home, and have xmas around new year - your baby is choosing when xmas will happen this year!!!

wobbegong · 25/09/2007 11:56

Noooooooo. Don't be tempted. I'm due Boxing Day and this year Christmas involves no relatives at all. And travelling no further than the sofa. They are all going to descend as soon as the LO arrives, so I'm keen to avoid double the stress!!

I like the half-birthday idea in the Summer, and think that's what we're going to go for.

Ambi · 25/09/2007 12:35

I suggested the half birthday to DH - summer parties are always better (scarred from my birthday 9th jan, crappy time to have birthday growing up). DH argued it's stupid, but I know best...

LilyLoo · 25/09/2007 12:38

Ruby i having family bring xmas to us this year with a contingency for them all to go to my dads if baby arrives early. I am due Jan 5th.
DD was due early Jan and we went to family and it was more stressful with all journeying about, luckily she didn't come till 13th!

Mrswizz · 25/09/2007 13:41

I'm due on 2nd Dec and have firmly told family I'm staying at home this year (first time ever) and not making any promises to see them. Said they're welcome to visit but I honestly can't promise I'll travel anywhere, or put anybody up at our house, except perhaps my Mum.

mixedmama · 25/09/2007 13:43

Thankfully everyone is coming to me, altho everyone else will likely do the cooking etc, but my mum and dad only live up the road so it isnt a big deal for us (due NYE).

I thinkyou should definitely either get Xmas bought to you if you do in fact want to be with people, if not just you and DH nice and intimate.

marchbunny · 25/09/2007 14:35

Hi Rubyshoos

I had my first Son on Boxing Day @3.45 am, after spending the whole of Christmas day in labour (managed to get my dinner in before going to the hospital )! We were at my sisters for Christmas Day who also lived close to the hospital, we chose not to go to parents as they lived 2 hours away! Having contractions on a car journey is not that pleasant, as it really helps to be mobile.

I was convinced that as he was my first he would probably be late - but oh no, born on his due date

I suppose what I am trying to say is - not sure that it worth risking going that far then spending the whole time worrying that you might go in to labour. Enjoy Christmas together - and maybe get the best present ever.

PBirdy · 25/09/2007 14:37

I had exactly the same issue with my Mum who wanted to do Xmas Day at her place to "take the burden off me" having everyone at my place but it meant driving all the way to Essex. I am due 28 December. She certainly wasn't meaning to be thoughtless or insensitive.

I told her pure and simple that I was afraid about going into labour and being stuck out in Essex and having to drive back to London on probably wet and rainy roads. We are now doing Xmas Day at my place. I intend to just kick back on the sofa and let everyone else sort it out. My whole family got on board with that when they realised.

Good luck with it. Hope you don't have to do the big car journey - not worth it I think. I am also at St Marys so maybe we will be unwrapping our Chrissy pressies there together this year!

Original poster

Rubyshoos · 25/09/2007 16:53

Thanks everyone, think I'm definately having christmas at my house with DH and make the most of the peace and quiet! I just have a very strong feeling that he or she will make their entrance bang on christmas day and I want to be able to just nip over in the car to St Mary's (PBirdy maybe see you there!)

At the moment everyone is cracking the same joke: are you going to name him/her Holly or Noel? (all getting so boring!)

thanks!

OP posts:

bettythebuilder · 25/09/2007 18:10

(we told everyone that if it was a boy, he'd be called Balthazar. The reaction was marvellous..."oh, that's erm...nice..." )

Nanoon · 25/09/2007 20:47

i'm due on 12th December and we are saying at home this Christmas regardless of whether or not the baby has put in an appearance. We have a DS (3) so will be cool to have a chille dout day with him at hone. In fairness most of our family are local so its not a problem to see them for a short period of time rather than the whole 3 day event.

BetsyBoop · 25/09/2007 22:14

DD was due on the 18th Dec. I got so sick of everyone saying "what are you doing for Xmas?"

emmm

I'll either be a week overdue, fat, tired & fed up

Have a newborn baby to look after

I don't think I'll notice Xmas this year.....

As it happened DD arrived on the 13th Dec & DH & I had a nice quiet Xmas at home with DD, just the 3 of us

At the end of the day do what YOU want this year & stuff everyone else, but I really would avoid long car journeys in late pregnancy & especially in labour!

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