Second time (or more) mums need your suggestions and recommendations…

When I was due my second, I was living a good 45 minutes away from my parents and the hospital I’d chosen was another 25 minutes from them. So I decided to go and stay with them with my partner and 1 year old until I’d given birth. Turns out I was with them less than a week when my little girl decided she wanted to make an appearance so I was glad I’d decided to temporarily move in with them. My mum works from home and my dad is retired so it made it easier for them to look after my son. Plus I didn’t have anyone else I could rely on. My parents also had my son a further two days after I went home so we had a couple days with my new daughter to be in a bit of a bubble with her. They helped us out so much and still do and I’m now due my third and my mum is willing to take time off work to look after my kids while I’m in hospital as my partner won’t be taking paternity leave x

I honestly still don't have a plan so here hoping someone gives me some inspiration. My parents live over an hour away and my in laws would struggle to support as my mother in law has dementia. I'm hoping our little boy will be at nursery giving my parents time to travel. My mum also said about him staying with them from around my due date but as you said, he could be there for weeks! I might be getting booked in for an induction next week though in which case it will sort the issue as our little boy can stay with my parents from the night before that x

I've lost my parents and my husband's parents live 3 hours away. We're relying on 2 sets of friends to answer their phone during the night and still unsure if we'd be transferring my sleeping 2.5 yo to them during the night or asking them round to ours. If it happens during the day that would be the ideal outcome.

@Kim🌷 That sounds like such a blessing to have your parents’ support, especially with little ones to care for while recovering! It must have been such a relief knowing your son was in good hands while you settled in with your newborn. And how lovely that your mum is willing to take time off again for your third—having that kind of help makes such a difference. Wishing you all the best for your upcoming birth! x

@Kirsty It’s so tough trying to plan when there are so many unknowns! Hopefully, if you do get booked for an induction, it will make things a bit easier in terms of childcare. It’s great that your mum is willing to have your little boy, but I totally get the worry about how long he might end up being there. Fingers crossed everything falls into place smoothly for you! x

@Angie That must be really stressful trying to figure it all out without family nearby, but it’s great that you have friends who are willing to help. Hopefully, everything lines up perfectly, and your little one can be settled without too much disruption. A daytime arrival would definitely make things easier! Wishing you the best with it all. x

I have packed a to go bag for our little boy. He is 18months and no one would be willing to look after him more than one night I’d say lol

We’ve packed a to go bag already but it’s missing a few things (like her Miffy for bed, hairbrush, toothbrush etc. which will go in last minute). It’s by the door and MIL has a key and luckily live nearby, but if it’s the middle of the night I’d much prefer it if they came to ours to stay (albeit in our bed!) so that her night wasn’t disrupted. If day she can go to theirs and stay for a sleepover…I think we probably should have discussed this with them already as I’m 40 weeks today 😅 I don’t want to be apart from her until I need to be, need those hugs!

@Alice It’s great that you’ve got his bag ready to go! Hopefully, things happen at a time that makes it as easy as possible for everyone. Looking after an 18-month-old is definitely a handful, so I get why people might not want to commit to more than one night! Hopefully, it all falls into place smoothly for you. Wishing you the best for the birth! x

@Madeleine It sounds like you’ve got a solid plan in place, and it’s great that your MIL is nearby and has a key—such a relief knowing your little one will be well cared for. I totally get not wanting to be apart until absolutely necessary; I feel exactly the same, those last cuddles before everything changes are so special! Hopefully, labor kicks off at the perfect time for your plan to work smoothly. Wishing you all the best—you’re so close now! 😅 x

Haha I hope it’s a convenient time too! These stories of a SUPER fast second labour are a bit concerning, I’d hate to be caught short with a child in the house! I like to think our bodies won’t let it happen though 🤞🏻

@Madeleine my second labour was very very long from the first stage of labour to the end! My waters partially broke on the Friday afternoon, was having some very mild contractions on the Saturday, I had to stay in for monitoring in case of infection. Come Sunday morning nothing was happening so I was induced at 8am, moved to delivery suite at 5pm still hardly severe contractions so at 1am Monday morning they broke the rest of my waters and by 2.38am she was finally out after pushing for nearly 30 minutes!

I am very lucky to have the parents that I do! My partner’s mum is hardly involved at all, she has never had my kids overnight or even for a day - she never asks about them but yet moans to her son if she hasn’t seen them for a long time. She is literally a two minute drive from us and never makes the effort. My parents will drop anything to take my kids if need be. And in this last trimester my mum started taking a Tuesday afternoon off work to take the kids to our toddler group in case I’m struggling too much to give me a couple hours rest. I am so grateful for them. Thank you- and you! I hope it goes smoothly for you ♥️

I’m quite lucky in that my mam only lives a 10 minute drive away. So my daughter (3.5) routine isn’t too disrupted, my mam has said she will come to us and stay at our house when the time comes. Means my daughter stays in her safe space, baby is brought home to her rather than vice versa, and she can still go to nursery as normal. My mam can then just work from home from our house. So this is the plan currently unless something changes significantly and I end up being induced over a weekend for eg in which case she’d likely go and stay there instead!

@Kim🌷 In a way that’s good to know that it isn’t always super fast! I almost don’t want it mega quick. Midwife today said baby was high and no point doing a sweep (didn’t want one anyway) however I think I just lost my bloody show so whooo knows 🫨 Been cramping for 12 hours but put that down to 3rd trimester. Let’s see 😅🫣