How many people are allowed in the birthing suite?

[Taurean]

OMG! I feel for you hon! Really, why do so many of your friends and family feel the need to be there?! What a position they're putting you in!

If I was you, I'd simply tell them all that it's a personal and special moment you want to experience with your partner and you will only be taking a max of 2 extra family members / friends for support. I honestly think your contractions would stop in the tracks and your vajuts would shut up shop if it had that many people looking at it!

I would imagine 2 or 3 people with you would be the norm. I'm taking in my DH and sister and hopefully a close friend who is a trainee midwife but that's it. I already know all I want is supportive people (for both me and DH!) and as less distraction as possible so I can listen to my body and get on with the job.

Good luck with letting everyone down - you poor love!!

[~Saram~]

When I had DS I only had Dh in the room with me but the waiting room outside was full to the brim - we had already said that no-one was to come in but according to the midwives comments it was getting pretty teste out there and sent Dh out to reason with them. Luckily I had a short labour.

After the birth (about and hour) they let them all in - two at a time. I hadn't even gotten out of bed yet and there was still blood everywhere and my little brother fainted (13 at the time - certainly put him off DTD for a while) In hindsight I would have rathered wait until I was on my feet before letting everyone in.

With Dd we were 1000km from family so it was much more relaxed :-)

[*The_Mrs.*]

Before I got pregnant I always thought I would want to have a million people in there as it is a beautiful thing. Then I got pregnant, and as I near closer I think 2 will be enough. Probably my mom and DF. It is just more of a special thing now and I want only the select few to share in those first few beautiful moments when she is born. Plus the fact my vagina will be on display is another reason to reconsider.

[Serenitylee]

At my Hospital only 2 people are allowed.

[DoubleK]

i had my mum, dad and dp with me. mum & dp holding one hand each, and dad standing sorta behind mum, but back a bit. he was on stand by with the camera & video camera!
there was also 2 midwives, and my OB and a training OB.. so it was pretty crowded!

[Just Me]

Bloomin Roses - I think you need to think about what you want and what your DF wants for when you are in labour and when you give birth. Lots of people want lots of things when there are babies involved, but it becomes a bit of an art to work out what you think and DF thinks is best for you and your baby.

People should be invited to attend the l & b not invite themselves. It is fine if you want to have them there - it's your birth, you should do what you feel comfortable with - but you have the opportunity to express that to them, not the other way around.

Also remember that how you feel now maybe very different to how you will feel when you are in labour. Maybe have a chat to the people you want to invite to be there and tell them that you are going to play it by ear on the day and if you change your mind, it is nothing personal.

In the Townsville Hospital (public) I was only allowed 2 support people and no children (just in case anyone was interested )

I hope it all works out the way you want it to

[BloominRoses]

Also remember that how you feel now maybe very different to how you will feel when you are in labour. Maybe have a chat to the people you want to invite to be there and tell them that you are going to play it by ear on the day and if you change your mind, it is nothing personal.

This is excellent advice and exactly what I'm going to do!

I always feel kind of stuck because I feel one part of me should be extremely grateful (which I completely am) that for a girl who has no living immediate family and is on the other side of the Earth from her extended family and childhood friends, I have this whole other family, plus friends, who care enough to want to share in this with me. However this always makes it difficult for me to say things that I know are going to be perceived as hurtful to some and I end up just going with the flow at times for fear of rocking the boat.

But since I seem to have absolutely no problem asserting myself in either my relationship with DF or my professional life, I'm at a loss as to why I have such trouble now. It boggles my mind to tell you the truth.

I'm going to follow this advice - and I think if anyone gets offended by this, well then there's really nothing else I can do. Four people is quite a lot - and although Snowy Love's comment about their motives for looking at my vagina was tongue in cheek, I'm going to use it should anyone arc up once I tell them I'm going to play it by ear.

Thank you so much everyone! I'm still amazed that the answers varied so much from 2 people allowed to however many you desire. I wonder if that's a public vs a private thing or based solely on the hospital's preference? (If that's a stupid question, please forgive me as I honestly don't have a frickin clue!!!)

S xo