Having a 2 year old in the labor room

Catalina - posted on 04/25/2012

Martha makes a great point!!

I had only a few people in the room when I had my home birth and I loved it, it meant it could be all about my son and I, his journey into our world. I'm not sure I would want a child there, but every mother is different!



What if you had a friend or family member watch him until you're very close to birth?



Another thing to think about it is that labour can happen at all times of the night! It could be 2am when baby decides to arrive?



Whatever you choose will be the right choice and you will have a wonderful birth experience! :-)

Martha - posted on 03/17/2012

just an opinion here...but think about this too....at 2 and like you said just turning 2....he could have older sibling like jealous issues..so seeing that his baby sister/brother is hurting mommy..even if it is a great experience...we all know it is still painful...he might understand blood...so like a baby causing mommy to bleed or cry....might consider not taking that chance and just keeping him around for the early labor and then right after....just my suggestion...just wouldnt want to add undue stress/reason to not like lil sibling...hope that helped...

Erica - posted on 06/25/2011

I planned on having my 2 year old around for our home birth, we took him to the park and played with him during the easier parts of labour but, once things started progressing quickly I had to call my mom to come get him because I really needed to concentrate on the birth. It was very difficult trying to care for him.

Was so cute when he came home right after she was born..he brought her a teddy and was so excited!

Elfrieda - posted on 01/18/2011

I want a homebirth for my next child (not pregnant yet), since I had a wonderful experience a year ago with my son. My thought is that I'll ask my parents to come pick him up as soon as I go into labour. They came and got the cat last time. :) I just don't like the idea of my son in the room or the house because I want to be totally focused on labour and delivery, and I can't be totally focused on anything when my son is around - I always have half a brain checking on him.

Frances - posted on 01/11/2011

If you want him to be there, you need some else there besides your husband to babysit him.