Scheduling out of towners to be at birth? « Back to Group Discussions

[maxnmaizy]

My mom would like to come visit for the birth and new grandbaby. She lives in Nebraska and I in the Oregon, she will have to request time off work soon and make flight arrangements. I think she can be here for 10 days. She made it here the day my dd was born (9 days late). I am due July 1st. DS was two weeks early, DD was 9 days late. Not sure when to schedule the trip. Another consideration is that my son may be going to Mexico July 2 through 12, so she would want to be here for at least some of the time he is here. WWYD? What are you plans for visitors (especially those coming from far away who want to be at birth)?

[MaerynPearl]

I'm lucky, I know, because my in-laws just pick up and drive down here the moment I'm in confirmed labor. It takes them 2 days to drive so they get here after I've had some time to myself to relax.

So here's the issues I see:

I would personally schedule her for the last 10 possible days of the pregnancy so she likely doesn't miss the birth. But she wants to see her grandson and he would be gone most of those days except maybe 2. When he first gets home, and will probably be cranky from his trip.

So in THAT particular situation, I'd just say "oh well" about a good chance of her being there for the birth, and schedule her for 10 days towards the end, split between the time when guaranteed new baby will be here even if baby arrives the last possible day, and a few days afterward, to ensure she has lots of time with all of her grandkids (this is assuming 42w is "last possible day" despite being your third, it's totally possible to go that late, my first was 40w4d, second was 38w and then third was 41w6d!)

But that is what I would personally do and of course this is all going to be up to you and your mom.

[Stephenie]

I'm just aiming for family to come when baby is a newborn. I would hate for them to have to fly home with me still pregnant and have them miss their chance to see baby as a newborn. I am due July 22, both my kids were a week early. They'll probably come the first or 2nd week of August. 

[sjdragonfly]

Almost our entire families live across the continent from us. We're just telling people to come visit in August since I should definitely have had the baby by then. (I'm due July 10.) Since this is our first, I really don't want to have to deal with any out of town guests until we've had at least a week to get used to having a baby. Everyone who comes is going to have to stay at a hotel, like it or not. We only have a tiny 2 bedroom apartment and it's going to be quite the adjustment as it is without having to cook and entertain when I'm still figuring out my new mom routine. 

One of DP's sisters lives 3 hours from us and she's planning to drive down to see the baby fairly soon, which is fine since it'll be just her and DP's other sister who lives in our same city. Though, I had to explain to her that she can't be here during the birth, even though we're having it at home. haha. 

[MaerynPearl]

Originally Posted by sjdragonfly 

 We only have a tiny 2 bedroom apartment and it's going to be quite the adjustment as it is without having to cook and entertain when I'm still figuring out my new mom routine. 

And healing! A very important part of the first few weeks postpartum is you resting to heal up!