Family in the waiting room during labor?

Ryan&Kristin062009

I don't want anyone in the waiting room. I feel like it'll put pressure on me and honestly just the thought of it gives me anxiety haha So.... we are planning on not telling anyone whats going on (sans whoever is going to be watching our dogs at this time, neighbor/friend) until after the baby is born. I also want a few hours of just baby, DH and I before any vistors. Our plan is to call parents to come down first, and then we will let everyone else know/post on facebook etc.

ckinnaley

I am going to let my mom and MIL in the delivery room and of course DH. I know my husband is not going to do very well with the whole coaching thing and I think our moms will be of some help to him. Also, DH is an only child and I really want his mom to be apart of everything too..I would feel bad if only my mom came in.

After she is born though they are going to be told ahead of time that I want to be cleaned up, for her to be cleaned up, and I want to breastfeed in private with just me and DH before anyones holding her! 

megd06

Jen&Peter:

Let me preface by saying I am not trying to be mean or snooty in any way. I honestly don't understand everyones concerns about the waiting room thing. If people want to sit in a room totally away from you, why would it bother you? I totally get not wanting anyone in the room with you, but the waiting room?

These people that care about you and are so excited for you just want to be a little part of your day. I think I would be honored that people would want to wait around for hours and hours just to take a peek at one of the most amazing things that will ever happen in your life. It is a celebration. A new life. A miracle. It is human nature for people, especially close family members, to want to be a part of it.

It is totally up to you since it is your life, your body and your baby, so if you really don't want anyone else in the entire hospital while your miracle is being born, don't call anyone until he/she is born. That would simply take care of the entire problem and not hurt anyone's feelings so far ahead of time.

Just out of curiosity, when you are a mother or mother-in-law, wouldn't you want to be a part of such a miracle to be there when your grandchild is born?

ITA with all of this. I get not wanting certain ppl in the delivery room--you're half-naked, possibly yelling, pooping everywhere, etc--but it's a WAITING ROOM. I only had my H, my mom and H's aunt (who was my coach) in the delivery room, and when my MIL brought it up, I stated that was all that was allowed in there, but anyone who didn't mind waiting hours, could sit in the waiting room. Most hospitals won't even let anyone in for an hour or 2 after the baby is born anyways--that's when they're cleaning you and the baby up, repairing tears, etc.

nhinze01

I think this situation, like most, is completely a couples' own decision.  the thing that really bothers me is when women pull the "It's my vagina and you don't have a choice!" card.  Marriage and raising a child should be a joint effort and just because I am the one who is delivering, doesn't mean that my husbands opinion is less than my own.  That being said, I think it is terrible when husbands really want their families there to meet the baby, and the women shoot them down because they don't want to deal with it.  I can see about not wanting them in the delivery room and in the minute you give birth, but if it was important the husband to have them in the waiting room to meet LO at some point, some compromise should be made.