My due date with #3 is quickly approaching, and DH is very anxious about how we will handle child care for DDs 1 & 2 when I go into labor. We do not have local family who could be there quickly enough (I have a history of fast labors), and because I also have a history of early deliveries, it would be difficult to ask family members to come stay with us BEFORE I deliver - we'd probably have to start almost a month before my due date.

Fortunately, we have a few awesome friends who have volunteered to watch my girls when I go into labor, so that DH can be with me & the new baby. I'm comfortable with this, and confident that at pretty much any time of day or night, at least ONE of the three families who offered will be available. If it's a super complex situation (ie, both girls are at their separate schools and I can't pick them up), I'd be comfortable splitting them up, at least temporarily, since the moms know each other and could reconvene later. I also have a list of several sitters we use regularly who live within about 20 minutes of us, and have a general idea of their daytime/evening availability.

DH, however, feels like we need to get a full time babysitter either with us or on call (paid) ASAP. I don't really agree with him, nor do I see how this would really work (particularly at night - people want to keep their social lives!) in terms of paying someone to be available *whenever we need them*.

Has anyone else ever been in a similar situation and hired a temporary nanny for a few weeks to be with you during the day, with possible (paid overtime) availability at night as well? How did you find her (agency, etc.)?