Non-FTM Question about labor & a toddler

BeansMom2014 · January 2016

Hello! Sorry if this has been asked - couldn't find it in the search.

We have zero family (or friends) in the area since we just moved. I'm not exactly sure what to do with our 2 year old when I go in to labor. Have a babysitter "on-call", bring our daughter to the hospital with us and just have my husband take her out of the room when I go in to active labor/pushing (which sounds sucky to have to deliver without him). Is there something I'm not thinking of? TIA!

doozer1345 · January 2016

Do you have access to nannies?? You could start interviewing now to have them on call. Other than that I would do what you planned with having DH take your toddler while you're in active labor.

2.red.heads · January 2016

Do either of you have new jobs with a decent co-worker or their wife, teenage daughter, etc that you could try to get to know? Maybe surf around on care.com? I'm sure for $ someone would be available. Start going to church, explain the situation to the pastor, and they could recommend some congregation members that may be willing to help? ...just some random thoughts. My 2nd labor was really fast and our 3 year old was in the room when they were getting me checked in til gma got there (baby was born 45 min later). GL!
Neighbor you could get to know quickly?

BeansMom2014 · January 2016

Great ideas. Thanks, ladies! I've been meaning to get in to a Bible Study at church - I bet I could find someone there to help out. Our co-workers are great but do have young kids themselves. I'd feel bad calling in the middle of the night (if that would be the case).

araecasey · January 2016

If you trust your coworkers, it wouldn't hurt to ask! If they've got kids, they've been in your shoes of having to find someone they trust to care for their big kids during labor. If a coworker asked me to be on call for their birth, it wouldn't bother me a bit to get a middle of the night call. @doozer1345 suggested a nanny, I did childbirth care as a nanny! If you think you'd rather hire someone, I recommend interviewing folks in the next few months. If you wait until close to May, nannies are going to be signing contracts and committing to families for the summer so you'll likely have fewer folks to choose from if you procrastinate.

bkjade · January 2016

I brought my 2.5 year old daughter with me, and had a friend come and help with her when things got intense. That way she got to come back in the room and meet her baby sis right away.

BeansMom2014 · January 2016

@araecasey I do totally trust them. That's a good idea. I'll see how they feel about it. Thanks!

emilyj77 · January 2016

If she's in daycare, maybe one of the daycare providers would like to make some extra money and take care of her?

BuzzBee614 · January 2016

I'm in the same boat. Luckily I've used quite a few people up where I live to babysit and think I'll have at least four options of people I can turn to. The hospital is 45 minutes away and I'd really rather not being DD with us. I'd much rather have her at home and with someone I trust until my mom can get up there to watch her. (My moms 2 hours away).