[Bek+3]

I was sent to Brisbane to have my DS3 at 29 weeks (700km's away) as it looked like I would need to deliver early and would save us the stress and mother/baby separation of a Royal Flying Doctor transfer (which happened with our second). I went to Brisbane alone so knew that unless we had at least 12 hours notice of a C/S, DH wouldn't be there. My family live in Brissy though.

On the day I had no idea I was going to have a baby until about 5pm when some bloods tests came back poorly. (I was already in hospital at the time.) Of course my husband couldn't be there as he was back home. I asked if we could wait for my sister to arrive before doing the emergency C/S as she could be at the hospital in 25 minutes or less. They said no, that I was too sick and did not have time.

It was fast, bub was born about 25 minutes after the doctor told me about my poor liver function. In theater, the midwife was at one side of my head and the anesthetist at the other. They were nice enough to talk to and did their best to make me feel at ease. By baby number 3 I was use to things going extremely pear shaped in all things pregnancy, birth and baby health related. At the end of the day, bub was alive and well so all's well that ends well and I'm completely at peace.

Good luck OP. It's not ideal in the perfect world but worse things could happen. If you find yourself in this situation, hopefully you will have good support as I did. xx

This post has been edited by Bek+3: 08/11/2012, 11:15 PM

[Chaos in stereo]

50 years ago, men didn't enter delivery rooms so many women have done it.

You'll be fine if your dh isn't back. You will have a midwife, that's really all you need.

+1

I was glad he was there to be a part of his children's births, but I didn't feel like I "needed" DP. I was on another plane and just doing what had to be done. I agree with PPs that the midwives are who you will really rely on. Good luck!

[VJs Mummy]

I did with my 2nd as my partner at the time was still at work, he didnt make it due to no 2 being 10 mins, my midwifes were fantastic as long as you have midwifes that are a god send you will be fine we are stronger then what we think

[ʚϊɞ Purple ʚϊɞ]

For DD#4, DH walked out for 15 mins (exact time he was gone) for a smoke (was just told I was 5cm dilated)…in that 15 mins, BP went thru roof, lost bubs HB (found when realised she was actually coming out) and she was born. I wasn't alone, they had 3 midwives in there (due to issues) and one became my support. It would've been nice to have DH there but was never alone. Good luck.

[epl0822]

Hi Chloe, I really hope your DP is able to be with you for the birth. However, just to share my friend's experience: my friend had her second baby shortly after she moved into a new area. She had a toddler at the time who was extremely clingy. For various reasons it wasn't possible to arrange somebody else to care for the toddler when her second one was due. Her and her DH decided that the DH would stay home with the older child and she took a taxi to the hospital when she went into labour. And she gave birth on her own. I don't think it was even a big deal for her. She just took it in as very matter of fact. You are going to have midwives and possibly obstetricians all looking after you brilliantly. Having a husband is more for emotional support but it's not the end of the world if they can't make it.