What to Do with Child #1 While Having Child #2 - Griffith,IN

These are all great suggestions. Don't feel shy to reach out in your neighborhood or community. I know as a mom, it's the sort of thing I would definitely be willing to help with. On the other hand, as a mom I know that sometimes other things get in the way or my kids might be sick, or we might be out of town. So you'd want to have 2 or 3 people lined up.

Another thought is that you might check with your OB or midwife practice to see if they have a name of a baby nurse or newborn sitter agency. You would pay top dollar, but you would get referrals to people who are used to working nights or weekends.

I totally get not wanting her in the room with you! I am guessing you're not members of a church or worship group, that would be an excellent source. If you were closer I'd help but I'm in the Western 'burbs of Chicago! Can a relative come stay with you? My m-i-l was a dream when I had my little guy! She stayed a few days after I came home did cooking & cleaning, and driving, etc. It was WONDERFUL! Maybe if you can't import your mom, you might hire someone to take care of things before, during & post partum so you can heal fully.
Good luck & congrats on your new baby!
D.

Maybe you could ask a family member or close friend to plan a trip by you when the baby is born. It would be ideal to have someone staying at your house while you are in the hospital. That way your husbabnd will be able to be at the hospital with you during your stay. When we had our second my brother from California came and stayed at our house. It was his job to watch #1, and my husband and I stayed at the hospital the whole time. My brother brought the big sister to visit everyday!

Aside from the great responses you've received already, here's another one. Ask your neighbors to see if anyone does childcare in your subdivision. Many women do that from their home and if they're not willing to help you out during this timeframe, they may know someone who will. Just try to network where you live. I do also really like the idea someone had about asking a good friend of your daughter to see if she can spend those days with that family.

First of all congrats! Second, way to play ahead!

If the babysitter is available to be "on call" at a moment's notice and get there timely, that would be one option.

Another option is to enlist the help of your neighbors. I know that many of our neighbors had volunteered to help in case we needed to leave in the middle of the night.

A third option would be to hire someone now to babysit your daughter on occasion - knowing that this new sitter will be your "go to person" when the time comes. I would consider someone who is an adult, who doesn't work, perhaps a senior citizen? Someone who you know you won't be interrupting his/her schedule if you go into labor.

Perhaps you can put an ad in your church bulletin? At the local community college? A local senior's center? Or enlist the help of a neighbor you haven't really met yet?

I don't know how much time you have, but I'm sure you'll find a way to make it work out.

Best of luck! And well wishes for a health, quick and easy delivery.

Does your daugher have a close friend from school that you would be comfortable asking? I only have one child so I never had to do this but I often have looked at my neighbors and thought who do they call when they go into labor? I would have been thrilled if someone had called and said, can I call you to watch my older child when I go into labor. How exciting and fun to be a part of it.

I agre with others. Call neighbors. Where city do you live in? Maybe I can help you or know someone in your area. You can also ask your ob. I am sure they have run into this situation in the past and maybe the hospital has some ideas.

I know you said that you don't have any family or close friends that live nearby you, but do you have any within a reasonable distance from the hospital?? Maybe you could have someone meet you at the hospital when you go into labor. That way you could bring your daughter with to the hospital & have someone else meet you there and bring her back with them. I know that's what my mom did for me & my brother when we were younger.
Otherwise, I agree with other posters. Maybe post an ad somewhere & see if you find someone you are comfortable with watching your children. I'm not sure when you are due, but if you found someone, just go on a "date night" with your husband & give the sitter a test run. Then once you decide you are comfortable with that person, then ask them if they'd be avail. on call for you for when you do go into labor.
Good luck & congrats on the baby!!
J.

I would either hire a nanny for that general period of time (i.e., two weeks before due date through two weeks after due date), or ask a family member to come in for that time. Finding someone to "take over" on a full-time basis will give you the peace of mind you need while you are in the hospital bonding with your newborn.

My mother flew in to help me with my daughter during my last month of 2nd pregnancy and was my daughter's full-time caretaker while I was in the hospital (and then stayed for another couple weeks after I came home with my son.) You may find that you need some extra help during your last few weeks of pregnancy! Plus, it would be great if you could give your daughter a chance to get used to someone else being in charge before you leave for the hospital.

But definitely have an "emergency list" of people you can call if something happens when you don't have help around. We had close friends and neighbors on our list, in case something happened with me or the baby before the due date. Thankfully, we didn't have to use our list!