Homebirths and siblings?

**wannabee** · 02-08-2011 19:41

For those who have previously home birthed - were siblings present and if so what ages and how did you and they cope?

**missie_mack** · 02-08-2011 20:17

My Ds is 4 and slept most of the time I was labouring which seems to be pretty common as most people tend to labour at night (although I should add I ended up being a hospital transfer which is a long long story)

**SassyMummy** · 02-08-2011 20:47

I haven't done this yet, but am planning for my daughter to attend. I figure I'll use it to show her how a natural, normal birth goes... she'll be bombarded with messages about hospitalised, medicated, surgical, etc birth for hte rest of her life... I'd like for her to at least get to see what a REAL birth CAN be.

Mum will be there as her support person, in case she needs taking care of.

**1+1=5** · 02-08-2011 21:00

I had a 3.5 yr old and a 7 year old when i had my home birth. The kids woke up at 7am-ish and I had bub at 8:45am, they didn't even know I was in labour as I was in our spare room. we bought a couple of toys for them (Playdoh set and a Wii game) that we pulled out for the occasion but we didn't need it! I had bub, dh and I sat around for 10 minutes enjoying him and the boys wandered in looking for us...lol.

**Lillynix** · 02-08-2011 21:06

When DS2 was born at home, my then 3.5yo DD and then 2yo DS1 were there and they were fine, totally excited and over the moon to be honest!

I talked a lot about baby being born at home, what types of noises I might make, which was okay etc etc during my pregnancy.

I had a quick labour which started at 4am, so they were sleeping, they got up as normal at 6am, DH got them brekky, turned the TV on, and at 6:40am I gave birth, they heard me, came rushing in and were just SO excited to see their little brother. The photos we have of them grinning ear to ear are just magical!

**wannabee** · 03-08-2011 11:35

Thanks for the replies - sounds as though older siblings cope, but wondering if my little one will be too young at only 16mths when bub is due. My mum can always take him if labour is long and it all gets too much. I'd really like both to be with us for the actual birth though.