Getting freaked.

Lolabean · #1 (**permalink**) 07-04-2008, 07:14 AM

Has anyone every had to take their other children to the hospital when in labour? We just moved and our closest friends/family are more than 2 1/2 hours away with no guarantee that the close one could come quickly. I was freaking out last night about what if we have to take dd to the hospital with us??? I have the weeks surrounding the due date figured out but if baby comes early I have to phone my girlfriend who is going to drive 5.5 hours to get here. Either that or I labour alone while DH has our dd. Maybe i;ll make a friend a library storytime today

BTDT Mommies, how long was your first labour? From cxtn #1 to delivery?

melissa_745 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-04-2008, 07:22 AM

I was induced for my first two, so that's no help. But, my third labor started and I didn't even realize it was labor. By the time I realized I was in labor, it was 4:30 pm. When I got to the the hospital at 7 pm, I was 8 cms dialated.

I would not have been able to bring my kids to the hospital with me. For sure, I was in too much pain!

In fact, when my DH got home at 5:30 I had him barricade me into the living room while he made childcare arrangements becuase I couldn't even stand to have them in the room with me.

But, of course, every woman is different!

kellybelly_msu · #3 (**permalink**) 07-04-2008, 07:24 AM

! That's a toughy! Are there any 24 hour childcare services you might could call? Little old ladies that live next door that would enjoy the company? I know you wouldn't want to leave your baby with just anyone, but maybe between now and then, you could make friends so you both could get comfortable...idk! GL!

dutchielover · #4 (**permalink**) 07-04-2008, 07:28 AM

I have no idea, but it's a big fear here too..
Hoping everyone is around to get them.. etc..

exoh_jessi · #5 (**permalink**) 07-04-2008, 07:40 AM

you should call the hospital and explain the situation and that you may need help with her til someone comes to pick her up, ask if they have any sort of daycare she could stay with in the meantime or if the nurses would even be able to keep an eye on her in the waiting room (if it isnt an overly busy hospital) idk where you live but in a small town like where i live both of those options would probably be ok..

rnjsmom · #6 (**permalink**) 07-04-2008, 11:31 AM

The first contraction I got was on a Sunday at about 4pm. We called the doctor at 8, he said come right in. We got there at 9pm. We (I) pushed that night all the way into the morning and had her at 7:20am. That was my first. I am definitely hoping for a shorter labor the second time around!!
I would bring your dd with you and see if your friend can meet you there. Even if that means that dh stays with her until your friend gets there.
Good luck! I am hoping my friend or her daughter are home when we have contractions, otherwise, we will bring dd with us until someone can get there. Everyone is at least 30 minutes from the hospital (family is at least an hour and a half from the hospital). We have a 40 minute drive to the hospital. I just want to make sure I make it there!

bebedoc · #7 (**permalink**) 07-04-2008, 12:15 PM

We'll probably have the same issue unless I make it to a scheduled c-section or it's planned that day kinda thing. Our families are either out of state or at least 1 1/2 hour away. I'm sure we'll have to take our DS with us until someone arrives.

I can tell you with about 99% accuracy that the nurses at the hospital are not going to be able to provide childcare for you. The only time I've ever seen it happen was when a homeless woman came in with her child and had to have an emergency c-section. There was no other choice at that point. I work in a very large and busy Labor & Delivery unit and things go awry with our patients very quickly and we can't be responsible for a child we're not licensed to care for, you know what I mean? Often times, the older siblings are simply in the room with mom and dad while she labors until another family member can take over.

BTW, my first labor was 9 hours from 1st contraction to emergency c-section delivery.