I think it depends on your relationship with your mum like Jellyfish said. I am also really close to my mum and although my parents lived 1,000kms away they both took 3 weeks annual leave around the time DD was due and came to visit. They were there for 1 week before she was born and it was fantastic! Dad and DF would go and do the groceries and the washing and mum did all of the cooking and cleaning. I am forever grateful that I was lucky enough to spend this special time with them and that they were so helpful and not intrusive at all.