We have no family in the area and I thought I had a few options lined up, but they're all dropping like flies lately (one couple moving, another due 6 weeks after us, etc). I'm really, really stressing about what we'll do with DD when the time comes. My in-laws will come down as soon as we call them, but it'll take at least 6.5 hours without traffic and has taken as long as 10 hours before.
Can anyone relate? Any suggestions? Or, I would love to hear how "worth it" VBAC is in terms of health, etc.
Re: I want a VBAC, but it'd be so much easier just to schedule.
Why don't you set up a plan with a few sitters and friends/coworkers. Have people "on call." People will be MORE than happy to help you. I don't even know you and I would help if I was in the area. They only have to watch her for a few hours. And most likely, you're not going to have a 3 hour labor. You'll probably have enough time to wait for your inlaws before you even go to the hospital.
If you don't have any sitters, you should try SitterCity.com. We found a couple of great girls to watch our DD while we were traveling away from our home.
Oh, and just think about how hard it will be to take care of DD #1 while recovering from your c-section.
Eh, my previous experience actually makes it more tempting, my recovery was super easy - I was off pain meds within hours and back to my regular routine within 4 or 5 days.
And I know you're right, I just have to come up with a list and start calling people when the time comes, I'm sure someone will be available, it just really worries me not to have something concrete set up.
I just posted on Facebook and got one bite...hopefully more to come. The whole idea of calling people up in the middle of the night, asking them to take Ellie, Ellie being away from me, etc. freaks me out. Realistically, I know it's just until my in-laws get down here and I know someone will take care of her, it's just really stressing me out.
I understand that. I'm not thrilled with the prospect of having to call someone at 3 am either (I'll probably make my husband do it LOL). But I figure if I didn't have a c/s last time, it wouldn't cross my mind to schedule one this time just for that reason.
You have to do what feels right for you. If that's having a RCS, that's what you should do. And if you want to have a VBAC, you'll be able to figure out a solution.
You were very lucky. I consider myself pretty tough and I really struggled. I couldn't get out of bed without help for two weeks. My incision site was sore for months. I still feel funny tweaks when I do certain exercises or wear certain pants. I'll do anything not to go through that again.
that is an excellent way to think about it Iris. You will only need someone to watch your daughter for the time it takes your parents to make it down. 6 1/2 hours is not that big of a deal. Also, i agree that the person who offers to help will be really honored. And just remind them, "hey you realize this could happen in the middle of the night, and we want to make sure you are ok with that"
good luck