privacy during labor

[insiderart]

When DD was born I didn't want it to be Grand Central Station either. Since the labor was soooo long (39 hrs) I did allow my Mom and Dad in after I got the epidural. Told everyone else to stay home! But before it was even close to time to push I put everyone out of the room with the statement, "This isn't an episode of Wild Kingdom! OUT!" I was um, a smidge cranky by this point.

At which point my poor parents repaired to the waiting room until after the baby was born. Wouldn't change a thing about it. I was in pain and nervous enough as it was, I didn't need the whole hee haw gang watching me like I was a dog whelping puppies!

 

[sunshineinsc]

If you don't want them there they shouldn't be there.

But if Dh slips to someone and accidentally mentions your in labor tell the nurses when you get there that you want no visitors. Let them play the bad guy that way you won't be bothered.

Also remember you may be in labor a long time and get bored and want the distraction. With my first I was in labor for 36 hours and I was glad to have company to take my mind off things.

 

[bheila]

If you are a private person and want privacy then put your foot down

Or let everyone know that you will let them know when you are comfortable to have company. If they really care about you then they should understand.

With my 1st and 2nd birth I had everyone and their mothers around. I hated it, I had family members looking at places I never intended them to see

For my 3rd birth I made the decision that I wanted NO ONE to even come to the hospital. We only called and told my mom because we needed her to watch out other kids. My mom brought our kids the next morning to the hospital so they could see their new sister for an hour and then left. It was sooooooooooo nice to have peace and quiet.

We waited 3 weeks for everyone to come over and see our new bundle of joy. I know 3 weeks seems like a long time to have family wait to come over to see a newborn but we didn't want to be bombed with people since I was trying to catch up on sleep and get into a new routine with having more kids.

Our hormones are so whacky when pregnant and right afterwards sometimes we really don't know what we're going to want until right at that moment

Good luck!

 

[AngieChick]

It's great that he's excited and wants to share in that. And while yes, it is both of your baby, it is your labor and therefor your call. The comfort and mindframe of a mother matters immensely during labor.

FrenchHen was dead on.

 

[pokey]

good, i thought i was just odd, i've seen pictures of people in the middle of delivery and just shuttered. i don't think i want my parts on display either.
i do plan to stick to my guns, and no problem telling anybody to get out, just want some time to bond and recover. and get hormones in check.

 

[Judy]

Lots of good advice here. This is your body, your labor, your call, whether family or medical staff.

Might want to talk with parents, MIL, etc. beforehand about this so they know what to expect. It would never occur to me to challenge your wishes if I were your family member. Personally, I'd be glad I wasn't expected to hang around the hospital lobby for hours on end.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
I've never gotten why people think it's OK to see us in stirrup position just because we are having "their" grandson/niece/whatever. In my humble opinion, you are not odd, this trend is odd.

No cameras in my delivery room! 2 nurses, 1 doc, 1 hubby. Period. Bad enough that I worked with every one of them....

 

[Rolsjo]

Did you all get together for a Memorial Day BBQ? I ask, because THAT is when a family get-together is supposed to happen.

Our policy is everyone who was there at conception plus medical staff. No exceptions.

 

[SportTees]

Quote:
Thaats exactly how I felt! Mil was mad because she wasn't allowed in the delivery room. My family didn't get to see my lil one until she was 2 wks old

 

[fosterchick]

This is your labor you need to do what is right for you. When I had my first one my husband called both our moms. My mom said to call when the baby was born or if any problems. His mom kept calling all the time, I unplug the phone then she called the nurses to bother them. I had the nurses keep her up dated. we called two hours after the baby was born. When I had the second, there was no time. She got called after he was born, still to this day 12 years later she complains about it. On the third no one got called until after the birth and no one was welcomed to visit until the next day. I loved the last one. It gave me and my family our special time. So don't worry what every one else thinks, just do what you need to do for yourself.