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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Childcare for your first DC for while you are in labour with the second

13 replies

CookieMonster2 · 14/11/2008 10:20

This is something that has been worrying me for a while and I still don't have a solution so I am hoping someone can help with ideas.

We have a 3 year old that we need someone to look after when I go into labout, so that my DH can be with me at the hospital. PIL live 4 hours away and wouldn't help if we paid them. My parents live 4 hours away and would love to take over our house for a couple of months to 'help', but believe me, this isn't a good option. Plus, living 4 hours away they might not be able to get to us quick enough. All our friends work so asking them to come over during the night or take her to nursery etc isn't possible.

I might have to have an elective c-section so there wouldn't be a problem, she would go to nursery and we would go to hospital. However, I am hoping this won't happen, despite the fact that this introduces the problem of childcare.

I would be quite happy to pay for whatever childcare we needed, but don't know where to start. I know doulas are there to give support during labour, but are they also prepared to help with childcare?

Any suggestions gratefully received.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

PuzzleRocks · 14/11/2008 10:39

Can't help but bumping for you.

WorzselMummage · 14/11/2008 10:43

you could consider a homebirth ?

If one of my friends asked me to be on call for them to look after their child while they were having a baby i would be more than happy to oblige and have a day or 2 off work. Have you mentioned it to your friends ?

ohIdoliketobebesidethe · 14/11/2008 10:46

Any friendly neighbours?
Friends from nursery?
Does anyone babysit for you?

LilRedWG · 14/11/2008 10:46

Am guessing that if a ECS is on the cards a home birth wouldn't be an option.

I second WM however in that would happily be on standby for a friend. In fact I would be honoured to be included in such a wonderful time.

PavlovtheCat · 14/11/2008 10:47

My friend spoke to her employers before my due date to explain she might need to take time off work at short notice as she was my 'doula'. It would have been taken out of her leave entitlement of course. As it happened, she was on route to a weekend away in cornwall and had to be dropped off at the nearest station to return.

Is this possible at all with any of your friends?

Or perhaps ask at the nursery whether any of the carers are able to child-mind outside of hours if needed for extra pay? That way it will be some-one who LO already knows so won't be too alien to her.

WorzselMummage · 14/11/2008 10:48

I'd be honoroured too

I'd bloody love it !

whyme2 · 14/11/2008 10:49

I would suggest you find a good babysitter. We found one through a local college which had childcare students looking for experience. We didn't need her in the actual event but she was really useful afterwards helping me at home.
Hope you work something out.

cananyonehelpme · 14/11/2008 11:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster

CookieMonster2 · 14/11/2008 11:56

Thanks for all the suggestions folks, its really appreciated and I think I have a few ideas now.

Home birth not an option due to complications first time round. I am quite jelous of people who have this as an option though.

Unfortunately friends that live locally aren't friends that are close enough for me to ask them to take time off work with no notice. Although if one of them realised our situation and volunteered I certainly wouldn't say no.

I'm glad someone has said doulas are prepared to do childcare. This will be an option I will be following up.

I've realised that my due date should coincide with uni holidays, I have friends with a child at uni and so they might be able to help.

OP posts:

hertsnessex · 14/11/2008 14:48

Cookie, i have looked after a cients children whilst she was in labour. see if you can find someone close to you look here

hertsnessex · 14/11/2008 14:49

sorry, bad link! look HERE

Original poster

CookieMonster2 · 14/11/2008 15:24

Thanks for this link, I'll be following this one up.

OP posts:

Egg · 14/11/2008 15:29

I had a post natal doula booked up to help after birth of twins, but she did also say she would be on hand, even in middle of night, to come and look after DS1 when I went into labour if we needed her.

If all else had failed though, we would have just taken DS1 with us until someone (my mum prob, 2 hours away) could have come and collected him. Or I would have happily given birth without DH there if he needed to stay at home with DS1 (I know this is not the case for many women and am glad DH was there but it would have been fine if he missed it, he nearly did anyway!).

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