[purpleblaze]

I know this might be a bit of a strange question, and those who have gone through labour might be in a better position to advise. When do you notify parents/in laws that you're in labour? On the way to the hospital? Sometime during (assuming a long labour) After you've given birth?

I know my parents/in laws would want to know as soon as we're on our way to the hospital but the thought of them being in the waiting room whilst I'm giving birth is a bit too close for comfort for me. However if I wait until after the birth I wonder if they would be disappointed they didn't know earlier (obviously the arrival of a baby would outweigh any "disappointment" of not knowing I was in labour).

I've told hubby there are a lot of variables (time of day, how I'm feeling etc) so we'll just play it by ear.

Any advice on this?

[niggles]

On both occasions I've talked to my mum and mum-in-law quite regularly in the lead to my due date so they've had a good idea where I was at. When I was fairly sure things were moving along they've called later in the evening, or I've called them (can't really remember), and been given updates that we'd probably be heading to the hospital that night. I've never bothered to make 'the' phone call so to speak until after the baby is born.

I think people think about this a lot with their first -should we tell, who and when and how - but with the second or subsequent you've got childcare to arrange then and in the following days and so it's all a bit more open and easy going -tell whoever, whenever. That's just my experience.

[niggles]

I'd also add nobody would ever presume to visit us until we are ready. This is always discussed after the baby is born so there is no worries about people showing up in the waiting room!

[Taffyk]

My parents and the in-laws live several hours away so we knew that we had to give them the heads up.

I went into labour in the middle of the night. Once we knew things were kicking along and it was a reasonable hour to call, we let them know.

My MIL came after work and hung out in the waiting room. She stayed for almost 15 hours before DD was born. I made them take DD to meet her after the checks were done (I was in recovery).

[nothing123]

My in laws were notified sometime during the morning as they were due to drive back home (interstate) having waited a few weeks for it all to happen. So they needed to know so they didn't get in the car and go. They were notified by text at some point by my OH. Otherwise NOBODY would have known. I didn't even call my own Mother until 6 hours afterwards and I was in my room and settled, fed, showered etc. I wanted nobody in the waiting room and my In-laws to their credit actually stayed away until that evening as well.

It's really up to you and the relationship you have with the people around you and whether you want people to know or not. If you don't want the pressure/possible phone calls of "has she had it yet" then I suggest you tell nobody until after you've given birth. It's your body, your baby and your process, you aren't obligated to tell the world!

This post has been edited by nothing123: 13/01/2013, 12:39 AM

[*Mumma-to-A*]

With ds we rang on the way to hospital and then they both mil and fil came when I went for the csection.

With dd This time I rang mil in the afternoon and gave her an update that my waters had broken, I was admitted to hospital but waiting for labour to start. First to ring the next morning after dd was born and she left work early and came in the afternoon. I wouldn't have announced the birth until she knew first. Fil is now in a home and didn't meet dd until 6 weeks old.

Mum was my support person each labour and drove me to the hospital and dad and sister were both in waiting room each time kids were born.

[iwanttosleepin]

For me....after the baby is born!
Unless you need one of them to babysit the older sibling/s....

[beabea]

I would say... when you need them to come babysit an older child. I can't remember saying anything to anyone for any other reason (apart from my husband and healthcare providers, of course).

I did have a bit of help getting started both times, so I guess they knew that things would be moving along soonish and they just assumed we'd let them know when they needed to be told (after the birth, save for the babysitting thing the second time). Nobody seemed to expect any different. The excitement of the new baby tends to be more of a focus than anything else.

[Covert]

For me....after the baby is born!
Unless you need one of them to babysit the older sibling/s....

This.

[MoonPie]

About 6 hours after the baby is born