Child Care During Delivery of 2Nd Child

We had the same issue with my son (5yrs) when my daughter was born in sepember07. Well he is in kindergarten so Since I had a scheduled csection we dropped him off at the daycare in the drop off hours(20$per drop off)a couple of times before because I am a sahm he was never at the daycare before.During my stay at the hospital my husband would go home with him at night and they were with me during the day.When i came back home i hired help for cleaning once a week for a month. and I already had cooked and froze food for 2 weeks and some friends were very nice to send food . My son was in school half day after that he was at home. Even though I had arrangements with the day care that he will be there after school but he wanted to spend time with his new baby sister.So it was tough 4 weeks but we did it together.You will not believe that my MIL lives 5 miles away from me she didnot took a day off or kept my son or even asked her own son(my husband either) for food.She was the same the first time so instead of getting upset and panacked we planned every thing a month before.Before going to have the baby we had diapers,wipes grocery for one month ,cooked food for two weeks etc ready.All we had left was to just take care of kids,my son's school.My husbad really helped me after work. I was able to nap and he will take of kids bath and food. I was lucky to get dinner in bed as breakfast time was for school and his work.So hang in there you will be able to do it.I live in Wheeling If it is close to you let me know I will try my best to help.
Good luck!
N.

We hired a sitter specifically for this purpose. About 4 months before my delivery, I had this woman start sitting about one day a week to get to know my daughter. I did this during the day but maybe you could do a couple evenings a month before delivery. During our interview, I asked about overnights and last minute calls not telling her what I was planning until I felt comfortable with her. By the time #2 came, I felt very comfortable handing over the keys to our house and gave her charge of my daughter the first night. She came many times afterward as we were settling back in at home. I did actually use a postpartum doula as well so I could spend quality time with my daughter the first few weeks because I didn't have any friends or family to help me. It was very expensive ($25/hr) but you can use them overnight and they can be on call for you to stay with #1 while you deliver #2. They schedule one visit prior to delivery to get to meet your child. I didn't use them for my delivery because I knew my daughter would freak out and because I was able to find someone I trusted just in time.

We're facing this same issue (son will be 24 months in June when #2 is due). We have asked some trusted friends who have a son 1 year younger than ours if they would be "on call" for us. We see them about once a month right now (they live on the other side of the city) but as the birth approaches we will be making an effort to see them more often so that our son is comfortable with them. Our plan is to give them a call when I go into labor (she'll come to our house) and make sure we overlap for a couple of hours before I head off to the hospital.

well at that time i should be working 2day per wk and might be able to help.

I have two boys 2 & 3yrs. If by chance you would like to meet and see if i can be of help let me know.
We live in the northwest side of the city.(Elmwood park) is that far from you??

Any friends or neighbors who might be willing to take her for the night?