[Frozendesire]

Okay so I'm a little bit worried. I'm 35 weeks right now and my MIL is off to go camping/work about 4 hours away for 2 weeks. Dustin came at 36weeks and 6 days. I just kinda assumed she would be here to look after the boys... I mean she assumed too but now she has someone depending on her back at the campsite.

I'm so worried that I'll have this baby when she's not around and I'll have to do it by myself as James will have to stay with the boys. She says she would leave imediately if we were to call her so the boys would only have to be with another sitter (I'm not really comfy with anyone else though... and what happens if it's at night?? UGH) for four hours... but my labor and delivery could be only like an hour!? I mean who knows right?

So I don't really know what to do.... asking someone to be "on call" for the next two weeks is asking ALOT I think... I mean it could be at any time. And my kids, well mostly Dustin, wont really be comfy with anyone else. Curtis is pretty good but Dustin wont be happy... It would be only for four hours... but still. UGH I just don't know what to do.

I hope and pray that baby waits till atleast 37w and a few days. It will be SO much easier to go into labor with MIL here, sleeping here, living here... ready to go ya know?

I don't want to give birth with out James.

I hope I'm worrying about nothing.

So what are other ladies plans that already have 1 kid?

[LisanAndy]

My sister lives 40 mins away and she's the closest person to me. So once I'm sure I'm in labor I'll call her and if I need to take the kids to the hospital until she can get here than that's what will have to be done. The last 2 times I was induced so she knew to be here at a certain time.. it was much easier Since I'm trying my hardest to avoid induction this time it definitely won't be as simple

[**jessie**]

Forgive me if this is stupid, I am always forgetting things, but does Jame's birth mom live near by? I know you were developing a relationship with her awhile back. I know you said she isn't kid savvy, but it would probably be okay for just 4 hrs.

[**Jenn**]

Can you bring them to the hospital with you until your MIL can get there or would that be too much for you while being in labor?

My inlaws were on call (since we live with them) if I were to go into labor during the night or the weekend. And if it was during a weekday we were going to bring the boys with us to the birth center and my Mom or Dad was going to meet us there and take them.

It was the same deal when I was pregnant with Lochy and Lila. My parents did go on vacation the week before Lochy was due and in that case we were going to drop me at the birth center and then Ian was going to take Liam to my Aunt's house (she was 25 minutes from the birth center) and then come back to me.

I trust very few people with my kids, even MIL is a stretch, so I wouldn't let anyone other than close family watch them. I'd rather go through labor alone and video tape it for dh than be worried about how the boys were doing knowing they wouldn't be at ease, not understanding what was going on, and wanting us. I'd be able to focus on my labor/delivery better knowing they were ok.

That being said, I don't think you'll have to worry about it but here's some stay put vibes for at least another 2 weeks!

[ScottishBrit]

Were kinda going through the same thing. My mom is the only person who can watch Cambria and she's about 45 mins away ( so Is the Hospital ). She is staying over this Fri and Sat and were gonna do a bunch of walking In hope it will bring on labor. But If I go into labor before or when she's not here I have to call her and she would have to drive out to stay with Cambria. Another Problem with that is Cambria doesn't like anyone putting her to sleep but David and I so she cry's and Crys and gags and throw's up. She's done this twice now that my moms had to put her down. Makes life Interesting. Sooooo If I were to deliver around bedtime David would have to go back and put her to bed. I know It sounds dumb but it's seriously not worth cleaning vomit off or EVERYTHING when she does it! Soooo Yay Im kinda In a bind to. I cant believe they went on vacation right when your due, why would they do that?

[Resi]

Geesh.. I feel for you. I hope it all works out in the end. You've had quick births in the past from what I remember, right? I would have your husband stay with them or bring them along until your MIL made the drive back. Unless you have anyone else that you would feel okay leaving them with.

I hate the idea of leaving Oliver when I have a second baby. I don't know how it will go but it won't be good. I'm the only one who has ever put him to sleep and it's always with nursing and me sleeping next to him. I know he will get super upset without me there. Plus I will have a repeat c/s meaning I'd be away for a few nights. I don't know how I'd deal with being away from him. I know I'll feel super guilty and sad. Damon or my Mom would be with him at night. Maybe both.

[ShannonMVT]

My husband's grandparents are 30-45 minutes away and they would do in a pinch until my MIL or my mom could get there to watch him. (They are 4 hours away.) If labor came on super fast, I feel comfortable with several of the moms in my mom's group if they were willing to watch him for a short time. And they are close by. However, Dh is adament about only have family watch him.
My feelings may change once I am pregnant again, but I don't have a lot of qualms with leaving him with someone. He'll survive, it's only for a short time. I am more concerned with how I want to labor at home like I did last time for most of the way and I will be distracted with Matthew running around. I'm hoping someone can come watch him even if they are in the house with me in another room. I really want and need my husband's support so I will definitely choose to have someone watch Matthew as soon as contractions start picking up.

Now as to your situation, is there any way your mom can come in from the campsite once you get around 36w4d or so? Maybe take it real easy as much as you can and your body will hold out a little longer than you did with Dustin. Do you have any friends or neighbors close enough that could watch the boys? Actually it might be easier if it's at night b/c then they'll be sleeping! It's just a matter of finding someone close enough that you feel okay with them coming to your house. My opinion is it's only 4 hours, Dustin will be fine. I think you're going to want James with you. I think you should write out things that Dustin likes (foods, playtime) anything that might help a sitter keep him happy. Then have it for the sitter so that they can read it when they come. Maybe also, I don't know if Curtis is old enough for this but maybe you could tell him that his special biggest brother duty is to help take care of Dustin while mommy has the baby. Maybe you could do it in such a way that he feels like he is such a big kid and helper and he can help be extra sweet to Dustin while you are gone.

[Mars]

Was wondering too if you couldn't take them to the hospital and have MIL meet you there?

[**Jenn**]

Originally Posted by ScottishBrit

Were kinda going through the same thing. My mom is the only person who can watch Cambria and she's about 45 mins away ( so Is the Hospital ). She is staying over this Fri and Sat and were gonna do a bunch of walking In hope it will bring on labor. But If I go into labor before or when she's not here I have to call her and she would have to drive out to stay with Cambria. Another Problem with that is Cambria doesn't like anyone putting her to sleep but David and I so she cry's and Crys and gags and throw's up. She's done this twice now that my moms had to put her down. Makes life Interesting. Sooooo If I were to deliver around bedtime David would have to go back and put her to bed. I know It sounds dumb but it's seriously not worth cleaning vomit off or EVERYTHING when she does it! Soooo Yay Im kinda In a bind to. I cant believe they went on vacation right when your due, why would they do that?

The trip had been planned for a year already and we were supposed to go as well and then I got pregnant and realized I was due then so we couldn't go. I did have an episode of false labor during that time and since it was at night my inlaws kept Liam. Of course we got a phone call at 10pm while I'm contracting every 2 minutes from my MIL asking when we'd be back because she HAD to go to work in the morning (we didn't know it was false labor at the time we thought it was the real deal and she knew I had to stay the full 12 hours after giving birth because I was GBS+). Not what I needed when I thought I was about to give birth! I think I willed Lochy to stay in that night! LOL I had him 6 days later.

[Frozendesire]

You all gave great advice

The only issue with bringing the boys to the hospital is that it's for four hours.. and I don't want them there for the birth. Also they would be a handful and would be more in the way ya know? Curtis is REALLY intune with feelings and emotions and I don't think it would be a good thing at all to see Mommy in pain like that. It would be a better option I think for James to take them to the hospital but leave when it got too intense.

Oh but GOOD NEWS!!!!

We just spent the day at a family reunion type of event. My MIL was explaining to a relative about our situation and how we hoped baby would hold on for 2 weeks... well James' cousin's wife over heard and asked what was up. She offered to be called ANY time of day OR night and she would be here!! She lives about an hour away and could meet us at the hospital or whatever needs to happen So that's wonderful news! That way we would call her and my MIL and she could stay until my MIL makes it back, so the four or so hours it would take. My kids aren't EXTREMELY comfortable with her but they know her and love her little girl and stuff. It's a great option. When she offered I cried, then she cried and it was awesome hahaha. I'm so thankful. So atleast that's a sitter quicker then 4 hours haha.

We would ask James' birth mom but she's extremely ill and not dependable at all. She's kinda flakey plus has good days and bad days. She's also like REALLY not good with kids... haha... but your right 4 hours isn't that long.

So I'm thankful to have the option. I really hope and would prefer baby to hang out for 2 weeks. Would just be easier for sure.