I have a question that is niggling the hell out of me & I really don't know what to do...

I'm originally from Stoke on Trent but moved to just outside Edinburgh 5 years ago.. All of my family live in Stoke & my OH's family live in Birkenhead.

At my booking in appointment with the midwife she asked me where I wanted to have the baby.. I didn't realise I had a choice.. So I can either have it at my local hospital, the main one in Edinburgh or At the North Staffs Hospital in Stoke (where I was born)

I really feel passionate about my mum & my OH being with me at the birth but don't know what to do?

It would be a good idea to have it at my local hosp but there is a posability that my mum wont be there as we're 4 hours apart or do I go to Stoke before my due date & not have the comfort of being at my own home? My mum will have everything I need there anyway as she is doing her own little nursery for when we visit. The pram & cot is all there too..

As this is my first one I dont know whether family support outweighs home comforts?

What would everyone else do?



Mel x

I'd personally stay where you are.. you have anything you need there..

Couldn't your mum get a flight up to edinburgh? Don't think it takes 4 hours by plane

I know how you feel

It's just me and my hubby in Berks - the rest of our family are in Lancashire 200 miles away. I hadn't really considered the option of booking into a hospital up there.

My parents are going to come and see us soon after the birth and I'm looking forward to having my mum on hand (we are all pretty used to the trip now and so see each other quite a lot).

What do you think will make you most happy and confortable? For me I think I will want a balance between time with gradparents and space for us to do our own thing and adjust to our new life. However, sometimes I miss my family terribly and wish I was up there - so maybe I'm a bit confused about my situation too

aj - its an awful feeling isn't it... I know 4 hours away isn't long at all when the labour can last days

Oh I just don't know what to do, I dont think flying is really an option as the nearest airport to my mum is Manchester & by time she has checked in etc (paid a stupid amount for a last minute ticket) she could have just jumped in the car & been here..

My OH wants us to have the bub in Stoke but then I start thinking that what if everything doesn't go as smoothly as we'd like & bub & I need to spend time in hospital.. he would need to come back up to Scotland at some point to work etc & potentially leave us down there,

I think I know deep down that I should stay put & have it here,

I know it sounds childish (although I'm 27 lol) but I want my mum!!


Mel x

Is there any way your mom can come a little early and stay with you? Not always the best option because your LO could decide to come earlier than planned, but might be something to think about

I'm 30 and still need my mum sometimes too!

What does your mum think would be best? Maybe she could come and stay like Vickie suggests?

It's lovely that your mum is setting up a nursery for you at hers - my mum is doing this for us too and I think it's really sweet

Hope you can get something sorted out that you are all happy with.

I agree, that's what I would do.

You're due the day after me and I'm from Stoke-on-Trent and my OH is from Liverpool. Strange!
If I had to pick between being with or without my mum there for me when I needed her I would go out of my way and make sure she was there. Especially because it's my first aswell. I need my mum!

I agree with this...If there is any way.Your mom can be very helpful in the few days before the birth.And maybe try calling her to come over once you start feeling that you're about to have your LO?Think about it...