Has anyone had their other kid(s) present at delivery?

steph_pegasus · June 2015

If so, how old were they and how did it go for everyone (you, partner, hosp staff, the kids themselves)?

It's my only worry right now. Our only option at this point is taking DD with us when the baby comes because we don't have any family/friends near us to take care of her.

Thanks!

willashbaby · June 2015

I was at the delivery when my Mom had my Brothers, but I was 17

steph_pegasus · June 2015

DD is going to be a little younger than that

willashbaby · June 2015

My Biggest concern it that a small child may be very worried seeing their Mommy in pain. You also never know if something could become complicated.

bananers · June 2015

No way would I bring a young child. Childbirth is painful, even if you get an epi, and that would be scary to a young child to see mommy in that kind of pain. Not to mention, it's a very bloody process. And that's all if everything goes smoothly. Things can get scary in a matter of seconds. No way.

steph_pegasus · June 2015

I am definitely thinking about those things. That's why I'm hoping for some insight from others who have done it.

catnipskma · June 2015

My last two births were emergency csections, pretty dramatic for a sibling to have witnessed I was glad I was able to have somebody take care of my kids until all was safe. You just never know.

arose3eb · June 2015

I've never been in your position, but I wonder if you were thinking of hiring a birth doula (she would be there to provide support for both you and your husband), you could maybe have them switch off with staying with you and staying with your child when things start to get intense? I would also visit the hospital you are planning on delivering at and getting a tour of the unit, whoever provides the tour may be able to give you some assistance as I'm sure you're not the only family that's been in this situation before, they must have accommodations and solutions or at least give you a better idea as to what to do when the time comes. Good luck!

lauren0571 · June 2015

I have the same problem. We are moving abroad and we will have no friends or family and my son will be a few weeks shy of three when I deliver. I am at a loss of what to do in this situation. I am terrified of being alone during delivery but I really don't want my son in the room.
I was 12 years old when my sister was born. I requested to be in the room when my mom delivered and it was pretty traumatic even at 12.
Sorry for the rant. The only option I could think of was to find an on call nanny prior and have them on speed dial. Still there seems to be so much that could go wrong. Nanny no shows or isn't able to get there on time.

monaclemere · June 2015

I think you need to start looking for a babysitter now. Find someone you like and trust, that's flexible about times. Use her occasionally for the rest of your pregnancy so you and your daughter get to know her. Plan to use this person as your emergency on call for when you go into labor. Obviously, discuss this and the details ahead of time.

That's the best solution I can think of.

Caressa1 · June 2015

I was 9 when my brother was born and I was in the delivery room. I think it was a great experience. It made me feel closer to my mom and my brother. It definitely wasn't traumatic like someone before me said. Childbirth such a beautiful thing to watch, even for a young girl. Your daughter will be fine

KaraEpp16 · June 2015

Caressa1 said:

I was 9 when my brother was born and I was in the delivery room. I think it was a great experience. It made me feel closer to my mom and my brother. It definitely wasn't traumatic like someone before me said. Childbirth such a beautiful thing to watch, even for a young girl. Your daughter will be fine

I was just about to comment this is exact story pretty much word for word. Crazy. Nine years between my brother and I. My mother had me watch a video first and then I was there throughout. Her last of four

I'm so glad she did that for me. It really solidified wanting to be a mother myself.

sck601 · June 2015

How old is your DD? Childbirth may be a beautiful thing, but not for anyone who doesn't understand what is going on. I agree with finding a babysitter, or maybe seeing if yours or your H's family can visit around that time. That's what we did with our DD. It was sort of a gamble, since we weren't sure when she was coming, but we were lucky that she came in the middle of SIL visiting, so my step daughter had someone to watch her.

lyannast · June 2015

I went to five of my younger siblings births, the youngest I went was almost 4 years old

jezygal · June 2015

I hope to have my daughter there with me, but I will also have someone there taking care of her, maybe even two people. Just in case anything goes wrong they can take her out, but I handle labor really well so I'm not worried about her getting scared. She has never gotten scared before seeing me in pain, she normally just tries to make me laugh. I also won't have her with me until the baby is fixing to come out, I'm delivering at a birthing center so we get to make choices like that it's much more laid back.

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Has anyone had their other kid(s) present at delivery?

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