Going into Labor During Daycare Hours?

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I had a similar labor during the day plan. I gave all parents 30 minutes to be here, and made sure I had updated information.For dcp who couldn't keep their phone on them at work, I made sure I had a back up pick up (like grand parents or aunts) who would be able to answer a phone call anytime of day to pick up.

Thankfully I went into labor around 4 am, so I have no idea how smoothly that plan would have gone.

Congratulations on your new addition!!

I had a similar plan (except mine was 45 minutes, I believe) and made them list a phone number I could directly reach them JUST in case they had changed their number/job/etc. Ya never know. I also had them sign it saying they would pick up as quickly as possible and if they were here more than 45 minutes later a $1/minute late fee would be added to their next bill.
I was so concerned. I ended up not opening the day I went into labor. I planned to, since I had been having false labor for more than 2 weeks at that point and thought it was occurring again, but my husband said I needed to close. So, I did and prayed that baby would come. She did later that afternoon. Hopefully you'll just "KNOW" (or someone else will!) as well when you need to close.

I had a 2 week unpaid maternity leave and needed every single day of that to get my nether regions feeling okay enough to do my job again. If you have someone helping that will be wonderful. Glad your Mom can do that for you!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

My letter states that babies come on their own time, and I asked parents to be prepared for the possibility of labor and delivery from the beginning of September to the middle of October, as I am due 9/27/16. I then wrote that it is an approximate 2 weeks, depending on what day the baby decides to come. If baby is born on a Wednesday I will be closed 12 business days, and so I asked parents to be prepared to have back up care for 10-14 days, depending on my baby's schedule. Never once have I said a concrete 2 weeks, or 10 daycare days only, as I do not want to lock myself into something I have no control over. I also stated that if I have a difficult labor, or Baby needs more time due to health issues, I will notify parents and will be closed for a longer period.

As my SO is always saying, everyone that uses our services has had a baby before, and they will understand our need for time off with our new babies. I also offered my parents a small discount for the 2 weeks after my return as a thank you for being understanding of my time off.

What a nice idea with a small discount!

[spud912]

Once labour starts you have plenty of time to get to the hospital so don't sweat it too much or go into a panic.

I did similarly to you. During the day my mom was to come up to finish the day and and then daycare was closed for three weeks. I allowed the kids to stay until the end of the day and my mom and the parents were ok with it (kids were older). I talked to every parent about this and they all had standby care ready to go. I ended up going at around 2am and my husband texted everyone to let them know that there would be no daycare in the morning. My mom came up to be with my eldest.

With my second daughter (prior to doing child care), I went into labor at 2 am, my mom came at 2:30 am to watch my older daughter, got to the hospital at 2:45 and had dd at 3 am. 1 hour labor . So when I was pregnant with our 3rd and providing child care, I was so worried it was going to be the same! Luckily my water broke and they had to induce the contractions.

[AmyKidsCo]

My labor with #4 was literally 1 hour from the time my water broke until I was holding him, so we scheduled inductions with #5 & 6, just to be sure we made it to the hospital.

But I believe with #3 & 4 I had a similar arrangement - I had my back-up lined up and the parents had a plan to pick their children up during the day.

But except for the 2 inductions all my labors started at night so it wasn't ever an issue.

[Ariana]

haha! Yes I am not sure if this was her first or second child. With my first it was 17 hours and with my second it was 6 hours!!

I guess having the mom come up asap is most important just in case.

[wonderfullisa]

I did very similiarly to Miss A. They all knew my due date, but I emphasized that it could be sooner or later. My plan was also for 2 weeks off, unpaid. I'd have liked longer, but didn't want them leaving permanently!
My previous labor had been very, very quick. They all knew this, as well, and that when I called/texted to come pick up, it needed to be right then if they didn't want their child attending the homebirth!
Fortunately, I woke to my water breaking at 5am, so everyone had plenty of notice for the day and no one arrived during my labor.
Best of luck, mommas!

[Crazy8]

Sounds like a good plan! I had a neighbor that could have come to wait for parents if I REALLY had to leave before they could pick up. But I ended up with one a scheduled induction and the other labor started late at night so wasn't a problem!

[Miss A]

Every single one of you is so great! My mom said usually labor starts during the night or early morning, and so while I would love to bank on that, I know I can't.

I also chose to offer the discount as a way to thank my families for understanding my time off, and as a small I surance policy that they will return. I figure the 2 weeks at discounted price as well as paying an assistant is a better wage loss than losing families permanently and trying to replace while also caring for a new baby.

[Unregistered]

So I have 4 months left until my due date, and I am working on my official maternity leave letter and labor during daycare hours policy. This will be sent out later this summer, I am just a planner and like to have all my ducks in a row.

As of right now, it is worded that should I go into labor parents will be contacted via their updater emergency contact sheet (Thanks, BlackCat!) And will be given 30 minutes to pick their child up. All parents work within 15 miles of my home in a rural area with no traffic. I also think that should labor start during the day, I will be calling my mom who is my back-up provider to assist me while I prepare to leave the home, get my SO called and home, and wait for parents.

Is this reasonable? What did you do when you went into labor?

When i was prego w twins and went into labor at 35 weeks, I left the kids at home, with hubby, and they stopped labor that morning and sent me back home. I called all parents and said pick up by 4 bc dr needed me back by 5 due to a foot breech baby and wanted to make sure 1. I wasn't dilating 2. In labor bc i couldn't feel it AND lived far and 3. BC we knew i would need a C sec immediately if any chance the labor returned.

Do u think a single soul got there on time? They ALL knew in advance that this would probably happen though we expected later, and we had a plan. So 430 came, i texted the parents their kids would come with me (i had every1s signed transportation agreements), loaded all the kids and went to dr. The parents got stuck coming there allll the way up north to get kids. They were mad bc of the travel time, but oh well, they were late AND it was an urgent situation. My dds foot was bulging from cervix, and it became an emergency!

All but one family quit on me while I was being wheeled into delivery via text.

All to say....that plans may not matter. Just do your best to communicate the plans you make asap.

[Mike]

I went into labor during daycare! I LOVE to tell my story...here it is...

... After doing daycare that day all day, with just a little assistance from my dad and his girlfriend, I decided that I might as well just do daycare myself the next day. So, technically, I had a night and a day of maternity leave!

You're dedicated to your job.

Nice delivery too. Just get it over with. :: Sometimes I'm glad God gave that job to women. Men probably couldn't handle it.

[Mike]

All but one family quit on me while I was being wheeled into delivery via text.

You would think they can understand the situation. I'm not even a woman and I know if I was one of the parents, I would have understood. Hopefully you ended up getting better families.