How Should I Do This?

Alyssajoy87

Now that I'm full-term, I feel like a ticking time bomb- like I could go at any time. I know that it would be just as easy for Baby G to hang out for another few weeks, but there is the possibility that my waters could break or I could suddenly go into labor and this fact has made me REALLY hesitant to make any plans with friends or family for the next couple weeks.

In reality, it's not so much the plans themselves that bother me, but it's the fact that I really want it to be a surprise when DH and I call people from the hospital to tell them that we've had our baby. I'm not sure why this is so important to me, but I REALLY don't want anyone to know that we're even at the hospital until after our little boy is born.

So here are the plans I'm not sure how to deal with:

1. My mother and I want to get together for lunch sometime soon (she and I live 3 1/2 hours away from each other but she is driving down so that I'm staying relatively close to the house, in case I were to go into labor). The soonest we can do lunch is Monday. Right now, we're holding off making any firm plans until this gets closer because my mother knows I don't want to have to cancel plans "because I'm in labor," but it's tentative. 

2. My parents have asked if DH and I would mind picking my little sister up from the airport on the 18th (I will be 38w2d) and having her stay overnight with us since we have a family Christmas celebration near our house on the 19th. I love my sister and think it would so much fun to get to have her spend the night with us, but if I go into labor that night, then the whole "surprise" factor goes out the window.

I'm not trying to be selfish about this whole situation... and to be honest ladies, I'm really not sure why I feel like this needs to be such a surprise, but it is something that I really want. 

What would you ladies do in these situations? Would you just get past the whole wanting-it-to-be-a-surprise and make plans or would you try to hold off on the plans as long as possible in case the baby comes?

Bonzer

I would live and enjoy my life...not avoid people and try to replace time spent with them with some "we had the baby" phone call

sarajo317

Well if you want to sit and do absolutely nothing for the next few weeks.. then do it.. but you will be bored out of your mind and time will go slower for you..

JMO - dont be so worried about the surprise factor - it'll happen when it happens and no sense stopping all plans! What if you go way passed your due date and you have to be induced?? Then you would have done NOTHING for NOTHING..

PurpleK26

I'd go ahead with my plans. In reality, almost all labors start with some mild contractions, and you'll have plenty of warning before you're actually to the point of needing to be in the hospital or even laboring at home. The chances of you going that early are also pretty small, especially if this is your first!

And really, your mom and you sister... can't they keep secrets if something does happen? 

ambrvan

I think going about daily life and then having it suddenly interrupted by the birth of a baby IS the surprise factor. Granted, I'm not visiting my famaily for Christmas because I don't want to be 2 hours away from the hospital at 39 weeks, but other than that, I'm not changing anything. Still going to FI's family's houses and such and visiting with friends.

I think to be at the mall or at work and suddenly go into labor or have my water break would be the ultimate surprise. For me and everyone. lol!

But that's just me because I'm not waiting until afterwards to call and tell people I had the baby. I'm calling on the way to hospital and let them all know I'm on my way. lol!

AnnaLiz1104

Bonzer:

I would live and enjoy my life...not avoid people and try to replace time spent with them with some "we had the baby" phone call

 

megs68

The odds of you going into labor on those two particular days are very slim.  I am one day from my due date and very likely will have to be induced. If I'd spent the last three weeks playing the "what if" game, I'd have gone insane.  Weeks 37-41 of pregnancy are hard enough without canceling your entire life just-in-case. 

Alyssajoy87

Thanks for the advice ladies!!! I think I'll try to get past needing it to be a surprise and go ahead with my plans.

Desmond&MollyJones

What would you ladies do in these situations?

I would just live my life.  You waste too much time with "what if's"

oohgrrl11

If it were important to me I would make sure mom and sister could keep the secret if I went into labor.

CKLee1107

You could swear your sister to secrecy...Everyone else gets the surprise, she gets the excitement of *knowing*...   I'd say go for it on that one because if you don't have baby that night, you have a great time with your sis, if you do, not a big deal if she can keep a secret!

jinnymb

I would carry on as normal and keep making plans and doing things.  I'm glad I did cause I went to a pro-football game, many parties and feel like I've really enjoyed myself before the little guy comes.  Odds are you won't go into a crazy labor situation suddenly. 

If your water breaks or you start have contractions you can subtly remove yourself and carry on with your surprise plans.

dionnemd10

i would do both-seriously you could be in labor and cover it up okay-especially if in early stages.   or like for lunch cancel and say something came up etc.  

when i was pg the first time i put off traveling 3.5 hours to an extended family Christmas-when i was due in less than 4 weeks, but could have gone without any problem since my daughter was late.   my parents were here for Christmas that year-approx. 1.5 weeks before i was "due" and they'll be here this year 1 week before i'm "due."      i understand the surprise etc-i want that too-but putting off family things or life in general isn't worth it-because if you do then you are just sitting around twiddling your thumbs and waiting-which trust me after a couple days gets very very old!  

i could go anytime too-but this weekend we have 2 birthday parties, next week i have mom's night out, a massage, playdate, then my family plans to be here for Christmas.  may take my daughter to a movie etc.   just keep living!