Has anyone home birthed with toddlers at home? - Page 2

[motherdownunder]

The best preparation we did was talking about it and reading the book "Hello Baby" which shows a gentle home birth. My ds loved reading this book but was very distressed when we had some videos to watch, particularly with the sounds, so we didn't use videos. We started pretty much before I was pregnant, though the waiting was hard by the end. Ds was 3 years and 8 months at the birth and by then he was insisting that we wake him up for it. We did, and I think he was glad to be there. (only 4 days ago so we haven't seen the long term effects yet). Earlier in the pregnancy he was saying he didn't want to be there if I was going to make noise, but he warmed to it by the end.

[Mallory]

Mine ds was much younger -only 19 mo. I think he thought it was a swimming party!! He loved being in the water and still asks for a cool cloth when we are in the tub We had made noises and he had been at my midwife appointments. During the actual birth he was very interested - quiet and watchful.
Like indigolilybear said

some kids are very interested and comfortable w/birth/preg. and others not. my dd was very and always has been.

I had thought he would be less interested but he wanted to be a part of all of it. A couple times during labor I did ask to take him away and they went out for a walk