Hi Boc

I know how you feel about wanting time after delivery to bond with bubs. I told my DH that his parents could not come into hossy while we were in surgery (as we had the elective c/s) and that they had to wait at home until they were told they could come to visit as I didn't know how I would be after delivery (my parent were insterstate when Tara was born). Once we were at the hospital it seemed to become more real for DH and he wasn't going to go against what I wanted, but I also told the midwives what I wanted and they were more than happy to act as "bouncers" if necessary to keep people out. I think in most Australian hospitals they also don't like a circus of people coimg and going while you are in labour (not like you see on TV with American hospitals) as this can have a negative influence on you.

You might find that once it all starts happening for you that your DH may not have enough time to let everyone know what is going on, as you said 27 years is a big gap and I'm sure he will be playing a more active role during your labour and won't get the time to be making phone calls or sending text messages. I hope you can get him to see your side before the big day, and maybe you could chat to the midwife at your anti natal classes for them to share there opinion.