Hi Bertie

Whilst I have not been through this as of yet and my parents and PIL, don't live overseas (PIL live interstate) I thought I could still give my input.

Now my MIL, is lovely but drives me bonkers sometimes, wants to come and see the baby after he is born. Now they live in Sydney and we live here in Melbourne. She has been trying to decide when best to come seeing as she will probably have to take time out from work.

Baby is due on the 19th July and currently she has decided to come to first week of August which should ensure that the baby is here by then, she doesn't want to come down for the birth as who really knows when that will be, baby's who come on their own come when they want to.

I'm hoping that the baby will be with us atleast a week before she comes, I would feel more comfortable with that than her coming within a few days. Even though I know she will be willing to help out, like your mum, but I think DH, Bub's and I will need time together, to be as a family and get used to one another and start trying to get into a routine. This may be hard with another person (people) around, iykwim?

HTH