Hellobee Boards

Hell.no.

That's WAY too personal of an experience to be crowding extra people in the room.

Although, my husband is currently deployed and if he WEREN'T going to make it back for the birth (and we knew about it in advance so my mother could plan a trip across the country) I would want my Mom there. But since my husband SHOULD be back in time (unless I go into labor 4+ weeks early) we aren't planning for that. And since that would be unexpected, I don't think any of my family could make it from Massachusetts to California quickly enough to be in the delivery room.

Under no circumstances would I want my father in the room with me. Waaaaaaaaaaaay to awkward to push a baby out of my hooha with my Dad watching...

When I had DS my husband was next to me and my mom, stepmom, and dad were there as well. My hospital allows your spouse and two others but my dad stood in the corner so the nurses didn't mind. He most definitely didn't look or anything. It was nice he could be there because he was not at my birth. My stepmom can be overbearing but she was really good and didn't bug me at all. My mom is really quiet and nervous so she didn't say much either. I just wanted DH right next to me and the shades closed and otherwise I didn't really care or notice who was there. But I know it's very important to some that they have their privacy. With this baby the plan is to have my mom and DH there and one or both of my stepmom and dad will be watching DS, so there will be less people.

No way would I ever! My mom was offended, especially since she was there when my sister gave birth, but I didn't care. My body = my choice and the only person I wanted there besides medical personnel was my husband because I'm a very private person.

I'm sure my mom would come in if I asked her too, but she's always said that it's her opinion that it is a special moment for a new family to share, and that it should just be me and my husband. And I agree!
That said, we live in another country, so my parents won't be here anyway. We're planning to have them come visit about 2 weeks after the baby is born. Once we've had a little time to gather our wits (or maybe loose them completely)!

No way! They would probably drive me nuts. I called my mom almost as soon as I gave birth to let her know and she b*tched at me that I didn't call her earlier. Sorry, I was a bit busy pushing your grandchild out for the past 3.5 hours ...

nope! i only want my husband there.... unless he can't make it, then maybe my mom, but not my ILs or my dad.

My mom, husband, and in-laws were all in the room hanging out until it was time to push. Then all the parents left and it was just me and my husband (and about 15 doctors and nurses!)

I think with the next one I want my husband and mom there. I would've had my mom stay during pushing with my daughter, but I felt bad asking her to stay and my in-laws to leave, so I just asked them all to leave. This time, my in-laws will watch my daughter, so they won't be at the hospital until after the new baby is born.

Oh my. I have heard horror stories from friends about Mother-in-laws that demand to be in the room while the friend is in labor!

I won't mind my Mom being in the room when I'm in labor. I don't want her there when it's bad, though and she won't want to be there either. The nice thing about my hospital is they allow 4 people in the room (including the woman in labor) while in labor. When you start pushing, only the father or "push partner" is allowed in the room.

HELL. NO. My mom wanted in but I said no way. Id rather have my dad there. I had an elective c-section on her due date, so only DH was allowed regardless, but when we were facing a possible induction I said JUST Matt. I never had any labor, but I wouldnt have wanted anyone but DH in there during any stage of it.

No way in hell! My mom wouldn't want to be there anyway. She did come right after I had the boys, but as soon as I pulled out the hospital pump and told her I need to do that, she bolted out of the room.

I think I'll have my mom in there with myself and my husband. We're very close, I'm an only child, and it was just the two of us for about 20 years (my parents are divorced and live across the country from each other). If anything, I think I mostly want here there because I don't want to upset/hurt her. I think she's always expected to be there.

As for the in-laws & my dad-- no way in hell.

I haven't given birth yet but am determined to only have my husband there. I feel it is a very private moment for only my husband and I to share becoming new parents. I'm sure my mom is waiting for the invitation, but the plan is to not call anyone until after I give birth. We are hoping to have the first few hours to ourselves to bond with the baby before any family / friends visit - not sure how realistic this will be though (!!!).

I have no idea how I will actually feel when that time comes, but the only other person I would even consider would be my mom, and I feel like that would only be if there were a lot of complications.

Most likely it would just be my husband.

Nope. I don't really want them there for any part of the labor. I'm sure we'll call them when we head to the hospital and then again once we get settled and figure out exactly where we are. Then they will probably head to the hospital (45 minutes away) and pop in to say hello but then wait in the waiting room. We're lucky that neither set of parents are at all pushy.

I don't think so. I wouldn't mind having them there for part of the time (depending on my mood), but I can't really imagine having them in the room while I'm actually giving birth. Pretty sure I just want my husband for that. But I really hope that my parents and in-laws will be able to come to the hospital pretty soon after (my parents are close by, but my husband's aren't).

@Mr. Bee - I know you said you never would've thought to invite your parents, but what about Mrs. Bee? I think it tends to be more common for the mother to want HER mother there, though that's not always the case, of course.

My mom was there for my entire labour, until the doctors decided to C-section me. If she had been allowed in with my husband, I would have had her beside me. She was a great support. I know that she was as disappointed as I was I had to have a C.

For my next baby, I was thinking that maybe my mom could come in with me for my section, and my husband could wait outside... We'll see what my husband says.

My mom was in the room along with hubs. Initially, she wasn't going to be there, but decided that she wanted to be. Prior to getting pregnant, I always thought the only person I'd want was my mother in the room because she's been through this and could help me with expectations... but it turns out she stresses me out a lot! It was nice to have both of them in the room, though I would have preferred just the hubs.

Hell. No. x 2.
And my Mom expects and wants to be in there, so I know she's going to get hurt when I tell her no. Actually, I've already told her no, but she keeps thinking I'll change my mind. I won't.

I'm having a homebirth and would really like my mom to be here. She's incredibly helpful and we've become very close over the last few years. She'd be an incredible coach.

Only issue is that I'm not quite sure what to do with DS, who I KNOW will get on my nerves while laboring (he talks constantly)...

Sooooo, we'll have to see. Hopefully we'll get it all worked out and she'll get to be here. =)

MIL would DEFINITELY NOT BE INVITED... and we probably won't call her or anyone else until quite a few hours after baby is born, to make time for bonding.