children during labour/at birth

[PinkPalace]

Is it appropriate and has anyone had their other children present during labout/at birth?

[Lulu]

Depends on the age of the child. Depends on the setting. Depends on the hospital policy (if you are in one)
My 12 yo was in with me and it was great for her.
A hospital setting with strange people coming in and out could upset them, maybe not. It can be a long and weary day for them too.
You will absolutely HAVE to have someone there that can take her out if she doesn't want to stay.
You may find it distracting having her in there, or unable to do what you need to do without upsetting the little one. I did find it slightly distracting having DD in there as I was worried she would be frightened - she was FINE (and wants to be a midwife now), but it was still in the back on my mind...

Will you be at home? I would have any little ones there if I had a homebirth, I like the thought of them hanging around and coming in and out during a completely natural experience. But I would still have people on standby in case of tanties 'cos mum cant get out of the birth pool to set up Thomas's train set.....

[Lisa]

I had my 2 older children present for the birth of Harrison.
They were 9 and 12 at the time. They only really came in for when Harrison was being born because they were getting a little bored plus they were a bit concerned that I was in pain. They both loved watching Harrison be born though.
When we decide to have another baby, I will definitely have all my children there again

[Snoopea]

Yes and Yes!!!!

I had my 2 .5 year old daughter at our sons birth, we were in a birthing centre and she loved it, I plan on having both of them at the next birth shortly. Britney will be 6 and Joshuah 3.5 years. I made sure I had a few toys and a new colouring book and plenty of change for the snack/drink machine. I really enjoyed having her there and found it a welcoming distraction. Although she didn't watch the actual birth was too busy colouring in at the time, my husband been asking if she wants to watch this time.... so it could be very interesting. It was a fantastic feeling to be able to share the birth of our son with our daughter.
Hope this helps,
Snoopea

[MantaRay]

PP, this is a great question. I now think that having kids present at the birth is a great idea, as long as there is a support person just to look after them (separate to your main support person).

I wish we had done this with Jack. Due to my unexpectedly early, and rather fast (3 hour) labour, Jack had to come to hossy with us. When I got there, I was 5cms, so we knew baby was not far off. DH called a friend to come and pick Jack up. He had no sooner helped Jack into the friend's car and come back into the labour suite when Tom was born and he had to go and pick Jack up again.

At the time I was worried about Jack seeing me in pain in labour. But actually he saw most of the labour anyway and wasn't phased. Plus I know it helped him understand it all by seeing me in the labour suite before, and again after, with the baby there too. I am quite sure that he would have coped with seeing the small bit (well it felt big LOL!!) in between, the actual birth, and that it would have been an amazing thing for him to see. So now I really wish we'd had him stay.

If you are thinking about it, I say go for it. Others on BB have done it, I'm pretty sure Kelly did for one.

[BellyBelly]

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth/siblings-at-birth

[BellyBelly]

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth/siblings-at-birth

[PinkPalace]

i would like her there for the birth.
and i understand what you mean by another person to be there for her.
But that stumps me as i dont want anyone else in the room lol...

[MantaRay]

LOL PP. How would you feel having a doula for you, and your DH as your DD's carer?

[PinkPalace]

i would like her there for the birth.
and i understand what you mean by another person to be there for her.
But that stumps me as i dont want anyone else in the room lol...