My sis had her first bub at about 1am, and within a couple of hours I, my mum and other siblings were there to visit - she wanted to show him off! But, she was still a bit knocked out from the epidural and trying to feed, so nobody held him at that stage (even her DH hadn't held him yet). We were back again after lunch the next day. She had told friends to wait until day 2, but decided at the time she was happy to see them in the afternoon.
I like to think that people will respect what you decide (as my sister's friends did), but I know that's not always going to be the case. Just be strong in whatever you decide, and if you do tell them to wait, you can always change your mind if you want to. It's probably easier for them to expect to have to wait and then be allowed in sooner than the other way around.
I think our first visitors came about 12 hours after the birth (Caty was born at 11.56pm) but they'd asked first and were considerate about how long they stayed which was great. Then I had a workmate just rock up and walk into my room which I was so not impressed at (spesh since she had some guy I'd never met in tow) but I don't think she stayed that long.
I would suggest texting your baby news to everyone who needs to know then finishing the text with 'we're turning the mobile off now so I can bond with my bubs - which means no visitors for x amount of time'. When you put it like that I think all sensible people will respect your wishes. Oh, and dont' forget to actually turn off the mobiles! Why hsould you have to answer them just cos they ring I say!
You know, I did not mind the ppl visiting that much .. DD were in NICU, so they were not allowed to bother her, but I was fine. My parents and IL's and sisters and BIL waited in the waiting room while I had my emergency c/s. I remember DH coming in while I was still groggy (I was under general) and showing me a cellphone video of dd and I remember that my mom and dad were there also.
I HATED being called on the phone, ppl coming to visit were fine. I liked the conversation and the chance to just sit still. But reaching for my phone were HELL!
This time .. if everything goes according to plan, I won't mind my family visiting me right after at all, actually I'll ask for it. I'll ask the friends to come the day after, but the family would be just as excited and curious to see the new bubba ... I will however next time leave my cell at home and asked that no calls, except the daddy, be put throught to my room.
I wanted a week and in hindsight I still want a week.
I had PiL on day... 2? BiL and SiL on day 3, the day after PiL. Both while I was in hospital so no where near ideal. My mother and sister day 5.
I actually had a friend visit while I was in recovery, but that's cos she's a midwife and was on that shift, she was happy just to peek at DS when I offered and check I was doing OK. A couple of workmates popped up too, but didn't stay more than 2 minutes really. One was the woman who had taken over from me and needed to know info about the job (we had no hand-over)!
I may just not tell people next baby, I'll buy in "congratulations on your new grandchild" cards and post them (postbox is opposite our house) and our parents can find out that way, not text/phone calls. So I'll get time alone with my family!
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