To call during labor, or not to call?

[SecondTimeMom15]

Okay, so I was wondering what you all were planning on doing.

I am worried that if I call my friends and all members of my family, they will all barge in right after our son is born and hog him. I definitely want people to visit, but I'm not sure I want people in the waiting room WHILE I'm in labor. I will want to see and hold and snuggle my baby without interruption for a while after he is born. Yah know, before people start coming in to oggle him and ask to hold him when I have barely had a chance myself.

Am I just being paranoid? Or is anyone else thinking the same as me? I'm considering not calling anyone until after our baby boy is already here...what do you think?

[GeekMom1213]

I called my mother while in labor since she was our ride to the birthing center (my husband didn't have a license at the time) and I think my husband called his mother to let her know what was happening before birth, though honestly I don't know when he called - I was busy. He also posted on Facebook that he thought he'd be a daddy pretty soon. But we didn't actually invite anyone that night or even the next day. A few close friends stopped by before we were discharged but we weren't interested in being inundated with visitors and thankfully we didn't have people showing up uninvited. But some people's families are more intrusive and less patient than mine... If you're really worried about it there's probably a good reason for that, and holding off on calling people might be a good idea.

[tat87]

I told my husband no phone calls or texts until I give him the go ahead. Labor is hard work, and I want to rest on love on my baby before people start pouring in.

[lurooney]

We call everyone after baby is born but in saying that it doesnt make any difference as we arent allowed have any visitors after the birth in ireland,hospitals are so strict on visiting hours and only one person in the delievery room is allowed
I think your better off not letting anyone in straight away and enjoy the first while with your baby in comfort and peace

[Billie925]

I'm ringing no one I will wait until I'm feeling a little more normal after the birth maybe an hour or 2 so me and my husband can have our family time and then I will text a picture to family and friends and make the phone calls

[nellila]

Luckily, my hospital's normal procedure is to allow up to one hour of no visitors after birth. They have to wait in the waiting room for that hour. A patient have to request for visitors sooner if they don't want to take advantage of that hour. It's one of the reasons I chose my birthing hospital. My husband and I plan to use every second of that hour.

[meme1isme]

I didn't call anyone because I didn't want them bothering me throughout the process and rushing in after. The only person who knew was my friend watching my baby n I had to practically throw her out of the room when I was in labor

[SecondTimeMom15]

Well, you guys are making me feel better about not calling until after baby boy is born. I was feeling a little guilty I guess for wanting to keep it to ourselves. My parents will be keeping my 5 year old, but she isn't allowed in l&d at my hospital, so she won't even get to meet her brother until he comes home! Thank you all for your input. I'm feeling a lot better about the plans I was making.

[aprilmom]

I am planning to call nobody to the hospital at all. I need some private time with my husband and baby. I 'll invite people to meet my baby at home :-)