Just Moved to San Ramon, Am Pregnant and Freaking Out About Going into Labor.

Hi!
I'm sorry that the move has not been an easy one. We moved to the area about 18 montha ago ourselves. I'm not sure where you're delivering, but at John Muir in Walnut Creek, they have a great family waiting room within the maternity ward. Your kids could stay there and the nursing staff will keep an eye on them while you're in labor. Your husband could go between both rooms quite easily. If you're delivering at another hospital, you might see if they have something similar. Best of luck! :)

K.,

May I suggest you check out a MOPS group (Mothers of Preschoolers) in your local area. I know there is one in Danville, Castro Valley, Livermore, and maybe Dublin. These are for moms who are either pregnant or have a child up through the age of kindergarten. There are LOTS of other moms, some in your same situation, who would love to meet you, help out, and connect. Just a thought. I'm the coordinator of the one in Castro Valley.
Go to MOPS.org to check it out! :)
Take care,
S. J.

Check with the hospital, but you could probably bring them to the delivery with you. My niece was nine when my daughter was born, and she came into the delivery room with us. I delivered at John Muir, and the rooms are large enough that anyone in the room can be present without being right in the action. They could sit off to the side and not even see what's going on if they choose not to. Don't know how your kids would feel about that, but it may be a good solution.

I feel for you! Being pregnant is a time you want your family and friends the most.

Have you thought about bringing your older children with you to the hospital? It would make them feel included in the experience. My mom had my sister when I was 13 and it was always part of the plan for me to be there. She purposely included me in many aspects of her pregnancy and I felt like a very important part of the whole process. I kept a bag packed with lots of books and things to do in the waiting room. I got to miss school the next day and spent it helping my mom with the baby. I remember it as one of my most favorite days.

Hi K. -

I also moved from a different state, leaving a large extended family behind, to California - where I knew NO ONE. And I was also pregnant with my second child.

The first thing I did was go to church - instant network and community. The other thing I would do is talk to parents in your children's school classes - do they have friends they spend time with? Get to know the parents and start mentioning that you don't have family to leave your kids with when you go into labor - I can guarantee you that other parents will want to help - and you can get to know them and feel comfortable with leaving your kids while you are in the hospital - even if you need to go there in the middle of the night.

Your husband should most definitely be with you in labor!! Another resource is neighbors - when you move away from a large family and friend network, it is a total adjustment to make other groups like your family (church, neighborhood, parents groups, etc.)

Good luck!!

Congrats on your upcoming delivery! I'm assuming your children are in school. Have they got any close friends at this point? If they have a least one, you should consider speaking with the parents on these children and see if they'd be willing to allow your children to come over (your daughter at her friend's house and your son at his friend's house). I would imagine that they'd be willing to accommodate you. How about having one of your relatives (either of the grandmas?) come up for a visit around the time the baby is due. It may turn into a longer visit if the baby is late, but are either of the grandmas able to stay for awhile? Good luck

You could look into joining a mom's club in your area. You might connect with someone there who'd be willing to babysit your kids or someone local to your specific area might have some suggestions on a sitter who might be able to take care of the kids even at an unusual hour. And like someone else mentioned, you may be able to bring them with you to the hospital. Maybe pack some age appropriate toys with your own hospital bag (e.g., video games?).
Good luck!

Hi K.,
You can give me a call since I'm in San Ramon. I can give you a few of my numbers for sitters I use and maybe they could come over when it's time for you to go to the hospital. I'm sure there's a chance you'll go into labor when they're in school and in that case, maybe you could arrange for the kids to go to a friends house after school. Besides using me as a resource, I may even be able to help you out since I run and in home daycare (with only afterschoolers)
Talk to you soon,
M. ###-###-####
(oh and I have 4 kiddos of my own too!)

I live in San Ramon as well. Have been here for 4 years and its great! We are in the Windemere community. As for your kids and labor... do they have a freind each where they can have a sleep over for a night or two? Waht grade are they in? Waht school?

K.,

I live in San Ramon (around Alcosta and Broadmoor). I am a grandmother and I certainly understand your predicament. I would be happy to stay with your kids (no money--from one mom to another) if I would have time to get to know them a bit. We live in a wonderful neighborhood with lots of kids up and down the street and great mom's and dad's.

Please call me ###-###-####. I have to be in Texas the 13th through the 18th of May and that may be a critical time for your delivery. However if you will call me I have some other ideas and will do anything I can to help you find someone you can trust.

Sincerely,

C. Kuhn

K. - You should look into getting a Dulu - they can be your friend in need and can also be available to you during the labor and delivery. There are plenty online and often your hospital can provide names or a local yoga center. Good luck and you will do just great!!

There is a great Moms club chapter (support for stay at home mothers) in your area, with lots of great ladies, and a very well organized and run club with lots of activities and opportunities to meet other moms:

http://www.geocities.com/momsclubdanvilletassajara/

Another great resource if you are a Christian is the local Mothers Together group at the Community Presbyterian Church in Danville. Very welcoming community, with wonderful programs and resources. We meet every Wednesday morning from 9:15 am-11:15 am, and free childcare is provided.

Hope to help!

Try the sittercity.com service advertised on Mamasource website.

IS your husband taking any evenings off while you have the baby and are in the hospital? If he is you might be able to find a day care center that will drive them to school and keeps them till he leaves the hospital or a nany that can just come over to the house and stay with the kids as soon as you go into labor. feel free to email me and i might be able to suggest a fe more things after speaking to you .

J.
____@____.com

Hi there Good Morning! WELL this sounds kinda like me (I'm originally from SoCal too!) I have 3 boys. I'm 27 yr's old. Me and my hubby have a window tinting business here in Dublin. My advise would be, don't stress out too much about what's going to happen because I'm finding that as much as you do this nothing good will come from it. If you'd like to chat drop me a line...I'm not sure if I could leave my number as I've done so in the past but was told not to do it (a security thing?). Or just leave me a message. Congrats on the baby! :)
C.