Any single mums uc?

[beckyand3littlemonsters]

I'm a single mum of 4 and am seriously concidering uc for my next baby, i just wanted to find out if anyone else has done it totally alone, especially those who already have lo's. i know my mum wouldn't approve so i couldn't ask her to watch them, though if we have moved to scarborough by then my dad and his gf may watch them i don't know.
How do you manage if you go into labour when it's say a weekend all the kiddies are off school and your on your own in labour with kiddies to keep entertained.

Or should i just phone the mw's when my time comes and use them as gloryfied babysitters while i birth alone (fwiw i am joking so please don't flame me)

[zoebird]

there are mamas who solo, but perhaps find a friend or someone supportive to help out with kiddos.

[beckyand3littlemonsters]

thanks, yes that does sound like a good idea.

[MsBlack]

I UCed 2 times as a single mom--I got some friends involved to help with my kiddos and postpartum care. Not a problem at all! They were all homebirth moms, and were thrilled to help out (in our case, I wanted my other kids present if possible--if the kids themselves could handle it--so my kid-helpers were able to be at the birth, too. Of course, we all went into it with the agreement that if my other kids were NOT in a place where they could be at the birth (due to having their own needs met at that time, or being too afraid of my laboring sounds/sights), then those helpers knew they would not get to be with me at birth...but it worked out well for all of us.

[lia_joy]

I birthed my first solo, but the issue of other kids wasn't a factor...

If you cannot find a friend or family member to help with your kids, maybe a doula would be an option... I am studying to be a doula now and my philosophy is that my support of a mom might come in the form of watching her kids or helping with clean up if that is what she needs. I'm just guessing that it might be easier to find a doula who wouldn't be tempted to 'get involved' vs a midwife? If cost is an issue, maybe you could find one in training who would serve for little or no $?

-Lia

[beckyand3littlemonsters]

Wish i could get a doula but i don't really see being able to afford one but i guess it doesn't cost anything just to look it up online does it.

thanks for the tip

[lia_joy]

Originally Posted by beckyand3littlemonsters

Wish i could get a doula but i don't really see being able to afford one but i guess it doesn't cost anything just to look it up online does it.

thanks for the tip

try to find one in training. I need to attend 2 births to be certified so I am actively seeking women to serve for free right now. Unfortunately, we are in different countries I'm sure there are others out there, its just a matter of finding one! I'm certifying with CBI, so I will keep my eyes open for doulas-in-training in your area & let you know if I come up with anything.

[Sheryl1678]

I was hoping that my daughter would be at the birth with me (she was 3.5 at the time) but I was pretty much incapacitated as soon as contractions started and my vocalizations were LOUD and totally freaked her out.

In the end, my dad had to take her out and she totally missed the birth.

In retrospect I wish I would have explained what was going on better (especially the noises) and then had someone arranged to be HERE to watch her.

[beckyand3littlemonsters]

Originally Posted by lia_joy

try to find one in training. I need to attend 2 births to be certified so I am actively seeking women to serve for free right now. Unfortunately, we are in different countries I'm sure there are others out there, its just a matter of finding one! I'm certifying with CBI, so I will keep my eyes open for doulas-in-training in your area & let you know if I come up with anything.

Thanks, that would be good

[nolonger]

I only had teens, but my birth story is here

[beckyand3littlemonsters]

Originally Posted by noordinaryspider

I only had teens, but my birth story is here

Thank you for sharing