Question for those who are doing Hypnobirthing/babies

runlong3

What is your plan for contacting people/letting people know when your birthing time starts (people who are non-essential for being there for the birth)?

Of course, both our parents want to know every.single.detail as soon as it starts (neither live close, so random drop-ins or them in the waiting room isn't going to happen), but I really would rather not tell anyone until it is over. I just feel like it's going to take 100% of my focus to make Hypnobabies work, and I want DH to be completely focused on when he needs to step in and help as well, not be off texting. Not to mention that hearing all those text alerts would just drive me up the wall while I'm having a pressure wave (FIL is notorious for his barrage of texts while you're in the middle of trying to do something - like get off a plane.)

As much as I know just shutting off our phones and not telling anyone until it's over is the right thing to do, it just feels weird to me to not let them know it's time. Maybe because I always loved the excitement that came with receiving those texts from my sister (who went the very traditional medicalized/epidural route)? I don't know. I just wish we could send a text saying it was time and then not have to deal with talking to them again until it's over without them getting all hurt over it. 

Anyone else in the same boat? 

danuli8

I am doing Hypnobabies and yes, I have thought about this issue too. How about a little white lie? "We're leaving for the hospital now, but L&D policy requires that cell phones stay OFF because they could interfere with the monitoring equipment. I'll make sure I send DH outside to text you after the baby is here to let you know just as soon as humanly possible."

My parents are not huge texters, but I don't really want to have to deal with giving a blow-by-blow account either. I pretty much want to tell them, "Leaving for hospital now!" and then have the next call be "Baby's here! All is well!"

pantherRN

BreanneL24:

During my previous birth, I was adamant about DH not being on his phone at all. I didn't want anyone to know or bother us but he felt very strongly about it. I let him send a text and then made him put away his phone...turned off. He didn't turn it on again for hours after the birth when we were all settled. It didn't cause any problems for us.

I'm thinking we're going to go the same route. DH will send a text that we're leaving for the hospital and he'll call his parents, they don't text and live three hours away. Then the phones get shut off and put away. 

Joyfullnoise

pantherRN:

BreanneL24:

During my previous birth, I was adamant about DH not being on his phone at all. I didn't want anyone to know or bother us but he felt very strongly about it. I let him send a text and then made him put away his phone...turned off. He didn't turn it on again for hours after the birth when we were all settled. It didn't cause any problems for us.

I'm thinking we're going to go the same route. DH will send a text that we're leaving for the hospital and he'll call his parents, they don't text and live three hours away. Then the phones get shut off and put away. 

We did this w lo 1 he was born 28 min after we left so no one else could really be there anyways. The phone was the last thing on our minds once he appeared!

ATLdesi

Most of our family lives out of state, and we weren't planning to have them come up until after we're discharged from the hospital anyway - but my personal mission is NOT to let them know anything till after the baby is out.  We have a very loving, caring family, that unfortunately sometimes has some difficulty with respecting boundaries or reading people's cues about when they're feeling stressed/encroached upon and I just don't want their little imaginations to run wild, and the next thing you know they spontaneously buy a plane ticket and show up before I'm ready to face the world.  

AshasaurusRex

I did Hypnobabies with my last birth and the only person who knew I was in labor was my mom because she kept our son. I loved it. This time however, I will have either my midwife's assistant or doula be in charge of giving everyone updates and will give strict directions to everyone not to come until they are asked to (I'm giving birth in a free standing birth center and I do not like a crowd of people sitting around waiting on me, plus I want at least an hour of bonding time without anyone wanting to pass the baby around).

ahcantrell90

I asked my Mom this question, because she is one to want to know details. She said that as long as you explain it to them that this is something that needs all of your focus and texting is not an option, then why would they get their feelings hurt? Just tell them that for this to work for your full advantage, you need to be completely focused and having your phone on would be too much of a distraction. Parents are generally understanding. I don't see the need in lying.