First child during labor?

Question

What did you do with your first child during labor? I'm pregnant with my second and this is stressing me out so much. We are planning another birth center birth, so we will easily be able to bring our child and anyone else to the birth center while I labor and deliver.
The problem is we don't have anyone to watch our child. Our best friend has a son of her own and is taking a new job and will not be able to ask for time off the day of delivery. My family disowned me when I was pregnant with my first. His family is not interested/not helpful. His mom is going through a divorce and has a three year old of her own.
My little one will be two and a half years old. Generally an independent child who will play alone for hours as long as she's not hungry. I'm worried how she will react to labor and seeing me in pain, plus my husband will have to be there for both me and her and I think that's stretching him thin. Doula seemed like an option, but my husband said it's too expensive.
What did everyone do for their child? Was your child in the room with you? How old were they and how did they react?

Answer

Doulas can be expensive but it might be the best option for you. There are baby sitting services that have people that have passed background checks, so maybe you could check out one of those? If you go to a church perhaps another parishioner would help out?

If your birthing center is a calm environment and you react well to pain, I don't see why not to let your toddler be there. If you're at a birthing center you're already low risk, and second births are generally easier. My nine year old daughter will most likely be at the twins' birth. Really whatever you choose to do will be fine, you know your child and your body. Things have a way of working themselves out.

Answer

We're planning a home birth and our 2 1/2 year old will be watched by my husband's kind aunt. She will hopefully be there when I give birth but she is free to go to the park or whatever else while I labor.
Have you thought about a sitter? You could make a post online about what you want from them, interview a few and hopefully you'll find a nice person to help, preferably with their own car so they could take your daughter wherever, if needed.

Answer

I will have my 3 yr old daughter in the delivery room. My sister will be there, there is a park/pond with ducks and geese outside the hospital. That way they can come and go as she pleases so that we don't end up with a cranky toddler

Answer

If you have no one then start hiring a sitter. Have them meet many times before labor and make sure she's available during the week you're due. You could even have a
Back up sitter. You can try care.com or maybe a mommy group. Lots of stay at home moms watch other people's kids. And she could bring your child to the hospital to visit you.

Answer

If you chose to have a sitter come watch your child at home have them come over a few times before hand so she can get used to her and be comfortable. Give her a special project to do while your gone.

Answer

Have you tried care.com? My sister will be there to help my daughter (5) and if she gets scared, she'll take her out. I want her there for the birth though, if she wants.

Answer

Oh please don't have your child in the delivery room with you. It could be 12, 24 hours you're in labor. If there are complications, lots lf blood, if you're screaming or crying or upset or exhausted your child isn't going to understand what's going on and probably be really scared. It's your choice, ultimately, but I personally think that's a really bad idea.

Why don't you start looking and interviewing now for someone to stay in your home with your child? Find someone with great recommendations that you feel good about if you don't have anyone else.

Answer

My friend watched my 4 yr old for me.. She definetly wouldn't of been able to handle it, but every kids different! :)

First child during labor?

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