2nd+ time moms-induction for childcare??

vegbear@yahoo.com

I need some input from you moms who have kids at home.

I have a three year old we just moved across the country-thank you military!- 3k miles from any support. I am due in May and while we have met folks in our new area we don't know anyone well enough to say "hey, can you watch my daughter while I am in labor-oh and I dont know when I will go into labor nor will know how it long it will take"   You see the problem.

Now I can ask to be induced-though believe it or not I am one of those ladies who wants a natural childbirth  I see though the advantage of being induced because if I have the exact date my family can be here to help us with my daughter....otherwise--what do I do?? Bring her with me?

I cant labor well and be worried about her..I prefer to avoid any medicine but I don't know if that is the smartest move?? 

Any insight or ideas would be great!

Brenda 

VandRicky

honestly, while I understand your reasoning I would not get induced. Most inductions lead to c-sections and there are PLENTY of times inductions fail. We have no family either here but you'll meet someone you can trust enough to watch your daughter.

Unfortunately, because we have no family here, my husband can't stay with me too long at the hospital because he has to take care (and sleep at home ) with our oldest.

Shayna0182

Thats a tough one.  I  know our hospital will not induce until someone is atleast 39 weeks.  Can you look into what your hospital procedure is on being induced?  They might be able to work with you, if you're close enough to your due date.  Can you have a family member come out and stay for the week before you're due?   If it were me, I would go the drug route if you'll have to bring your lo to the hospital.  That way you can be relaxed and somewhat comfortable for a while, and it might give your family some time to grab a flight to where you live. 

Good luck!  

 

MBandBud

IMHO I would figure out a plan so that you can labor the way you want.  I am not sure what that is, but even if you establish a relationship now with a sitter.  Are there any military support groups that can assist?  I realize this might be tricky but I'd hate for you to have a planned induction b/c of this detail.  I would hope 3 months would be long enough to come up with a plan if you try to find some resources and ask around.  I realize it might not be easy, but I encourage you to do so.  GL!!

mysticporter

We're in a similar situation, but luckily my mom is planning on retiring and will be coming out a few weeks before the due date for this very reason.  I understand your motivation completely, but I would look at induction as a real last resort, personally.  Given that there must be other military families around, it seems like there should be people who understand the situation and would be willing to help even if you don't know them all that well right now, and you'd have a few months to get to know them.  Right now I'd focus on trying to find people and establish that connection so you know/trust them to watch LO when the time comes.

thomas&lynn

We are also having a hard time coming up with child care for Alaina when I go into labor. I do have a babysitter I love but I just feel odd asking her 'heh, uh, can you be like on call or something for the month of May?' lol. I have a mom friend that I haven't asked yet but she works full time and has 2 lo's herself so I doubt I'd want to call her at 3am to come over.

Our family is 2hrs away but the one mom we trust doesn't drive long distances very well at night or w/o a copilot

We have decided to ask these 3 people anyway and hope I go into labor at a convenient time for ONE of them lol. If not..........they we will take her with us to the hospital and pray someone else can get to us w/in a couple hours

I am anticipating a precipitous labor this time (was 6hrs last time so we're going off the assumption it could be 3hrs total from first contrax to birth) so we really have no time to waste either. We literally have to be out of the house w/in a 1/2hr of my first contrax as our hospital is 40mins away w/o traffic. Because of this, we may have to take DD no matter what just because what are the chances any of our 3 childcare options will be able to help immediately like that?

It's hard and I empathize.

 

smilejenn

I understand your concern, but I echo the first poster's comment. Inductions are not a walk in the park, and you really don't want an induction for convenience sake when it could very well end in a c-section. Without family close by, you'd be in for a really tough recovery from surgery without a lot of help.

I'm in a similar situation though. We live in Florida and all of our family lives in Michigan. Our friends down here all work, and I don't feel comfortable asking them to take a day or two off from work to watch my toddler on short notice when I deliver. So my Dad is going to fly down and stay with us near the end of my pregnancy. (My mom had actually volunteered her services years ago for this situation, but she has since passed away)  Maybe a family member can do the same for you. Or like someone else suggested, perhaps there is a military support group for situations like this. I'm sure you aren't the only one with similar concerns.

 Good luck!

tj6604

Definite reason for concern and I hate to throw another wench into the ring...

You might also want to check with the place you plan to deliver (hospital, birth center, etc), as to their policies on young visitors.  The hospital I will deliver at in June has an extrememly strict policy and doesn't allow any young visitors b/c of the H1N1 outbreak.  So, if this policy keeps up, then my DS won't even be able to come to visit me or his sibling in the hospital once I give birth.  Lovely!

We don't have family in the area either, so DH and I are trying to work out a plan of action.  Fortunately, our families are about a 1-2 hour flight away, so they can and are willing to hop on a plane as necessary as my due date approaches.  This will be extremely helpful for us. 

As you get settled in your new home/community, I am sure that you'll meet folks and develop friendships and by your due date you'll have your plan of action in place.

Good luck!