question for experienced stay at home moms

[Marpn12]

This is my first  stay at home mom pregnancy. With my other two I lucked out on hospital experience  as in 1st the hospital let me stay there after my mucus plug came out. The 2nd tge doctor sent me to the hospital so in  never experienced  the wait till you have to go at home deal. Since I have a 7 yr old and a 2 yr old I keep thinking that I'm gonna start the labor process in the middle of the day when hubby's at work and my daughter at school. Hubby was there right away cause 1st I went to hospital in the middle of the night and with 2nd he was at the doctor appt with me when doctor sent me. So keep thinking I'm gonna have to pick up the 7 yr old then drive myself with 2 kids to hospital  while I call the grandma to pick up kids and hubby so he makes his way there but I doubt it will happen that way. Or I'm hoping baby decide to come 2 weeks early and be born on spring break. But how is that wait at home till you have to go? Was husband at work? What about the other kids? Did any of you have to drive yourselfs?

[Marpn12]

Well mom in law is at least 1 hr away as husband 15-45 min away depending on trafffic. My mom and sister are closer to us but my mom help was my sisters 3 youngest (1-5 yrs old)  and my sister is the one who picks up the older 3 (17-7yrs) so I don't wanna add more on top of that to them with the 6. Husband says he's not really worried about it but he really does think things are gonna start going around his time he comes home. I'm just preparing  for the worst case. As for friends  close by not many. The ones that were the closest too also live 1 hr away. I just hoping it don't have to drive myself the drive is just 15 min away but it don't know If can handle that with contractions. Hopefully things won't be a hectic  as I'm thinking. But you never know.

[mychellefemme]

I always had my grandma. I always tell her as soon as I feel funny. She shows up early and let me rest while I prepare for baby. This is my fourth and now my Lil sis can help too. You need a support system. Also have someone who will sit with you until dad makes it there if he makes it there.

[selflynn]

I had to call my husband home from work , my over two kids weren't in school and I just kept cooking and cleaning while I waited haha.  Backing up when I had my second it was the middle of the night and we called a friend to come and stay with our first son during the night till we had the baby and th could go back home. When I had my fourth son it was summer break th was with me but we had to drop the three kids off at the neighbours for my friend that was going to watch the kids while dh was at the hosipital.   My labours go fast and we couldn't wait any longer for my friend to get to the house.   This time we are hoping my MIL will be visiting at the time of labour.  If th at work I will call him to come home.  If kids in school will try to have someone take them home with them if MIL not here.   If we have to will take our four boys to the hospital till someone can get them or dh can go home.  I would say try to get neighbors and friends to help back you up. Of an after school programme they can go to.till someone can get them. My kids a range from 7yrs to 18 months. Only two are in school.

[Jaynie_3rd_baby]

I've always called my husband and mom really early in labor. That way they have plenty of time to get home, get the other kids situated, and get me comfortable! It's worked out great both times previously. My husband is a firefighter and had to get a guy to come relieve him before he could come home the first time.  He still made it in plenty of time. I don't plan to go to the hospital till the last minute though. This will be my first hospital birth. The first two were home births.