Thankfully I was in a situation where most of my family and in-laws were interstate, but I still had the rule that no-one was to know when I went into labour, there was a slight fear of someone getting on a flight the moment or constantly calling the hospital.

I had a long labour, that ended in an emergency c-section. I was stuffed! I did get a few visitors, but the moment they arrived and I wanted them gone, it was just too much. I like knowing that people cared enough to visit, but dealing with the annoying chit chat was too much. One friend's BF sat there and tried talking to me about his hunting weekend. I was completely stunned, here I am, I have just had a baby and he wants to talk about hunting! When my friend wanted to visit after I got home I asked her not to bring her BF this time.

Do what you feel comfortable with and learn from it. Looks as though you will have a few more battles in the future where your in-laws will try to put their needs before yours. For some reason with a new bub the new mum's needs and feelings can be totally ignored. Good luck.