Has anyone actually taken their kids into hospital when in labour?

[Janus]

I'm hoping to God I don't have to do this but my situation is ...
We moved house 3 months ago to a totally new area. My parents live 3 hours away, I am due in 2 weeks. My Mum and Dad are coming 6 days before I am due (due to their own circumstances). My other 2 children were both 4 days late. I'm hoping this one will be too!!!
However, worst case scenario is that I go into labour with no notice, ie wake up at 4am suddenly in labour. Have no established friends here yet that I can ring at that hour. So, ring my parents, they can then drop everything and come but there's the 3 hour journey. My other 2 labours have been quick, with dc2 I was 10cms and pushing within 4 hours. Hospital is also 45 minutes drive away.
So, if we turn up to hospital with children but explain my parents are on their way, would the hospital go nuts? I could only imagine we would have them there for about an hour before my parents got to us but it may be at the crucial stage, ie giving birth. Children are 5 and 7 and will stay put if told, ie if told to stay in another room where other half could be with them and then keep checking on me.
Has anyone had to do this?
Sorry for rambling post but this is playing on my mind.
Of course, if labour started at 10am they'd be in school and problem solved but sod's law is it will be 4am!

I've not had this situation so can't help but thought i'd bump for you. I'm 32 weeks with 2nd baby and ds is 5. I'm planning a home birth but if I had to have this baby in hospital and was stuck in your situation, I'd just take the kids anyway. I don't think you'll be worrying about what they think once you're in labour Also, not like they will turn you away. I've had to go to the delivery suite a couple of times recently and ds came with me the last time. Although I was only being checked, they didn't have a problem ds being there so if the worst came to the worst, your dh would have to leave them in waiting room/visitors room when he pops to check on you. As you say, they are old enough to stay put if told.

Hopefully someone else will be along soon to tell you've they've done this themselves.

Good luck and hope the timing fits so you don't have this problem

I'd be interested to see if this has happened to anyone before too. Last pregnancy my Mum came to stay at week 39 and ended up staying with us for nearly three weeks! (dd2 was 11 days late). Felt a bit basd for my Dad who was left at home on his own (no way could I have him staying with me for that long though). I'm pregnant with Dc3 now and I'd rather not have the same situation again. I do have friends where I live now but they've all got 2 or 3 children of their own. Plus I'm due at Christmas - not the best time to be dragging people away from their families, or dumping 2 extra kids on them!

Not that I'm actually planning to take the children into hospital though obviously but as Janus says in an emergency would it be ok?

not had to deal with this myself but when I was in the delivery unit the other week there were toys in there so maybe it isn't that unusual? It may be worth seeing if there is a child minder locally who could cover in an emergency? You could introduce your DCs to her before explaining she may come in in the night if you go into hospital. Not ideal but they may sleep through the whole thing.

not had to deal with this myself but when I was in the delivery unit the other week there were toys in there so maybe it isn't that unusual? It may be worth seeing if there is a child minder locally who could cover in an emergency? You could introduce your DCs to her before explaining she may come in in the night if you go into hospital. Not ideal but they may sleep through the whole thing.

That's a good idea. I'm a childminder myself and although fully booked by day, would be able to be 'on call' for a situation like this during the night (although they'd need a ready bed/air bed or something to crash on as I would only have cots up if no advance notice).