Telling parents you’re in labour

I didn't tell anyone I was In labour 2nd time round I announced baby when we was on a ward its your labour you are in charge

That decision is totally up to you and people need to understand. I told both and only my mom showed up to the hospital right away and MIL came when the baby was born. You know your people so do what makes both of you comfortable.

I absolutely wished my partner didn’t tell his family, because they all ended up at the hospital and I only wanted my mum and him there. I ended up with both our mums, plus his two sisters while I was in full blown labour to then be in tears as I was told I needed to go for a c section.. once baby was here and wheeled into recovery no one wanted to stay. I absolutely wished it was more intimate.

I didn't tell anyone with my first and the only people who knew for my second were my dad and Bonus mom because they were watching my oldest overnight. You definitely don't need to tell anyone

Totally your choice. I told my family chat (parents and brothers) when I was in labour and on my way to the hospital. However, all my family live abroad so it’s not like anyone then showed up at the hospital or anything.

We didn’t tell anybody for our first until he was born. With my second, my brother knew because he was looking after my first while we were in hospital but he can keep a secret

absolutely don't have to tell anyone. i told my mum purely because i wanted to first time and then second time i had to because she was looking after our eldest. we didn't tell my husband's parents either time because his mum is a worrier and we knew it would just stress her out. do whatever makes you most comfortable xx

You don’t have to tell anyone. I went in to labour at 12.30am and gave birth at 9am, we didn’t tell anyone, and even if it was day time I don’t think we would. It was actually so nice to ring people and tell them that they had a grandchild etc as it was a nice surprise for them too.

It's completly up to you, if you feel like you want your family close you tell them, if you want them to wait you don't. Your husband needs to understand that even though this is the birth of his child too, that it's your moment as you're the one giving birth and you want to do it in a calm, non stressful environment. If you wanted to, he could handle the message situation and you just focus completly on the birth x

I didn’t plan to tell anyone but got to 12 days overdue so had to go in and be induced. Luckily got out of being induced but everyone then knew it was because I was having heavy contractions! Luckily they sent me home and I was back by 8pm so then out of visiting hours and then got sent home with baby about half 8 the next morning so they couldn’t physically visit! But they were all awake at 2am noticing we were active on social media etc x

Our families knew we were at the hospital but not specifically that I was in labour. My husband had my phone and honestly they weren’t looked at until we messaged to say he’d been born. It was a very quick labour though

We didn’t tell any parents/family first time which was great. Didn’t have a choice second time as we needed one set to watch first child, didn’t tell the other set though

I wish I didn’t need to tell anyone but we needed my parents to come take care of our dogs 😂 however everyone was very respectful and didn’t come to the hospital until they were invited. I made everyone wait until I was showered, had a meal and had a little rest.

I didn’t want to tell anyone. I just wanted to go in, quietly have a baby, and then announce. Didn’t want everyone worrying or making a fuss etc etc. Didn’t work out that way though. Went into labour on 23 December and my parents were meant to be coming to us for Christmas (baby should have arrived in plenty of time 🙄) and I didn’t have him until 26 December. So we kinda had to tell them to make other plans for Christmas. And then I felt bad that we told my parents and not my husbands, so we told them too. Then all the siblings etc found out and because it all took so long everyone was panicking and it was exactly what I didn’t want. So stick to your guns!! You do not have to tell anyone at all!

I won't tell my family. My mother blew up my phone and then my sisters did and then distant family (hadn't spoken to them in over 10yrs) texted me(non have them my#) congratulating me and asking for photos.

Our son had been born for around 2 hours before we let anyone know we were even in the hospital. It’s definitely a personal choice. Obviously with this pregnancy it will be slightly different as someone needs to have my son but we haven’t chosen our one person yet x

i told my mom , hubby didn’t tell his mom. just do what you want in the moment

I didn’t even tell anyone my due date, let alone blow-by-blow updates 😂😂 It was so magical to have quiet time as a new family just floating on cloud nine before we contacted anyone 💖

I wanted our families to know. My mum passed on the message to them all as mine and my husband didn’t look at our phones. If anything had happened they’d be part of our support bubble regardless. But it may depend what types of families you have xx

I didn’t tell anyone, my waters broke at 11.30pm and he arrived by 4.47am we then waited till 6am to contact family! This time round may be different as my parents will have to watch my son, unless it happens when he’s at nursery 😅 personally I prefer them not knowing as I know they’d worry like mad wanting updates (understandably) x

I completely get this and would relate to it. My advice is to do what is best for you especially but of course your husband too. Make sure you set boundaries beforehand - I remember a joke being made to me saying a relative would be waiting in the waiting room (for me to give birth) and partner and I both emphasised that absolutely would not be the case. We only had immediate family at the hospital and at home for a week or two after the birth. I loved that bubble 🥰

I told my friends when my contractions started and I was pretty sure I was going into labor. I didn’t tell my parents or in-laws because they’re dramatic and would want updates. I find labor updates gross. I don’t want to share how far dilated I am with anyone.

I didn't I sent them an announcement the following day after he arrived.

Hell no. Do not announce anything without caution for people ignoring your comfort and be careful who you tell and when

@Becci my step dad actually did wait in the waiting room while my mom and best friend were with me until hubby arrived then they all waited together and gave us our space 😂

I only told my parents and in-laws. That’s how I avoided all the calls/texts lol and even if they did tell people I kept my phone on DND and was focused.

I had about 4 people in w me labour room and about 10 people in the waiting room. None were MIL or mum 😂 they came a couple hrs later when I was moved to my suite. I did have my sisters and hubby as support in labour, and all their kids and partners and my brother and his gf (the other 10) were in waiting room. They came in and held baby and I took photos and a group shot. It was a big ass celebration lol the midwives were all for it they said it was rare that a labour room had that kind of energy it’s usually chill and quiet

You don’t have to tell them but I don’t see why you wouldn’t personally. I sent messages to my brother, sister and a few friends to say “it’s go time, will be in touch”. Had a few messages of “any update?” And alike but obviously I didn’t respond and don’t think they expected one. Only sent replies when I was ready and in recovery. I don’t think it’s the norm for people to start harassing labouring mothers, at least not in my circle 😂 but they’re just as excited as you and it’s only natural to want to share the news.

Is this your first child? I was honestly too tied up to check my phone during the whole time. Lol. I had to focus to get through each contraction

With my first son we told everyone and i mean EVERYONE. I went in to be induced and was so excited i'd be getting my baby i told all of our family who then told other people so some friends found out who told other people then before i knew it nearly everyone knew. I'm a big ranter too so when stuff wasn't going the way i wanted i ranted on facebook so everyone knew baby was well on his way🤣🤣 It was nice going through it with people as it was awful being induced i spent days just sat in a bed on induction ward waiting for a bed on labour ward to get my waters broke so it was nice not having to hide it from people that i was there as i'd have been so lonely not being able to speak to my friends on the phone and stuff. However it got a bit much once i was on labour ward and went quiet i was getting bombarded with phone calls and messages. Then once i went back on social media after my son was born but didn't announce him yet, i was getting call after call as people had obviously guessed

My mum and dad didn't know with my first, just sent a photo of baby saying he's here. With my 2nd they knew as they had my little boy.

I didn’t want to tell anyone until we were on our way to the hospital, but my partner messaged his mum telling her that I was having contractions and we’d be heading off soon. It resulted in her coming round to pick up the dog straight away (even though that could have waited until we were out of the house) and then her coming upstairs to see me in bed while I was contracting 😮‍💨 that was 9 weeks ago, and I’m still not over it

My husband and I will not be telling anyone that I am in labour 😂 my MIL is great but she would literally bring everyone and their dog to the hospital and we absolutely do not want that and my mum lives 3.5 hours away in my hometown. We just want it to be us two and to let people know when we are ready. The only people we would consider telling is his brother and partner as we have 2 cats that may potentially need seeing to, but I know (or at least really hope 😂) that they’d be able to keep it to themselves. This will almost certainly be our only baby due to fertility issues so we’re being incredibly selfish and trying not to worry about other peoples expectations xx