We tossed around a few options - phoning my parents had the issue of them taking over 2 hours to get here, longer if my mother was at work - and in the end I had the baby at midnight so we just left the toddler at home sleeping in bed, blissfully unaware of what was happening. The other half was back home within 3 hours, neither child (the older one is 9) woke up. My parents turned up the next morning.
Probably not the best option, but considering I had the baby within 1/2 hour of getting to the hospital if we'd woken the other kids up, got them organised, packed them in the car etc I would have either had the baby in the car in subzero temperatures (I live about 2 mins from the hospital) or in the house while nagging DD#1 to put her clothes on.
You might be surprised at who will step up and help you when you need it, but you may need to ask for some help. Is there any chance of inviting some family from overseas to stay with you and paying half of their costs? Its still a long time away so you would have a chance to save the money. They might be delighted/honoured for the invite? Otherwise, what about paying for a support person for your DD to be there with you or just at home with her? The suggestion of someone from their childcare is a good one, we considered this even though we had lots of family close by.
DH stayed at home with DS and I got a ride with the midwife to the birth center and had DD by myself. Not ideal, but we didn't have anyone that would look after DS.
Like others have said, if she goes to daycare, then you could ask one of them. But if you can't find anyone, then you may have to take her with you. Good luck.
My suggestion is to hire a nanny, of course you dont need to use them all the time from now and till then maybe once a week or so, so then DD will be used to the *new person* and will have no problems with the nanny looking after her while you're in labour
If we stay in tassie, we'll have the kids at the birth with us. If they start getting freaked out, one of my support people will take them for a walk or something.
If we go to queensland, they'll stay with my IL's while I'm giving birth.
But in answer to your actual question about what we did - DS was not quite 3, and DD1 was not quite 16 months, and Sterla came over and looked after them for me.
Do you have a BB member close to you that you trust to watch her?
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