Traveling Husband and Due in 5 Wks

This is a hard one. My husband travels a lot as well. But he has somewhat control of when his trips are. I always had him not travel the two weeks before I was due. But I always go early. I have yet to make it to 39 weeks. I am only 5 feet tall and so the babies are always smooshed. My twins came at 36 weeks. That one was also a planned c-section. If I were you and he has some control I would just try to have him around at least the week before. Esp. if you are having contractions and are effacing. If not, you probably do not need to worry so much. Best wishes!

I'm kinda in the same boat. My husband does not travel but has a 1 1/2 hr. commute. I too have a scheduled c section at 39 weeks and my husband only has one week to take of paid time off and a couple days of "personal holiday" time. It depends if you want his help before or after the baby is born. With a c-section and a toddler I opted that I would rather have all his time and help after the baby is born and since there is a risk that he would take the time off and the baby would not come until planned I made several back up plans. My family is only 45 min away so they are there for me as well as a good friend that is 10 min away and neighbor that is available after 4:00 in the afternoon so day or night I have people who will come get me, take care of my son and the pets too :). I think just having a back up plan is a big relief to me and I know my bases are covered. On the other hand if you want his help getting ready for the baby have him take of a week early if you don't go into labor he can help you set up the nursery, cook dinners to freez, keep the laundry and cleaning caught up etc.

My husband travels often too, and I was in this same boat last year. I ended up staying with my mom (whose house was nearer the hospital anyway) the last couple of weeks. If you don't have family that can come stay and help out or have a close friend nearby that can do the same you may want to use up that week before just in case. But, you may find that his company can be understanding. He is ENTITLED to up to 12 weeks off after the birth of his child through FMLA. People tend to forget that leave applies equally to men and women. Has he asked to work from home/not be on the road from about 37/38 weeks on? I know the economy is scary and that makes people a bit more timid to ask for these things, but if he can give a good reason (and being there for the birth of your kids is a good reason) then he may be surprised by what they will do for him. Good luck to you!

You should think of hiring a doula even though it is a c-section. It is nice to have someone with you in recovery while Dad or the nurses have baby in the nursery. She'll also help you postpartum with nursing and helping integrate baby into her sisters world.

Ask a close girlfriend or neighbor to help you out if baby comes early. If your hubby takes time off early and the baby comes late.....ack! Much better to have a friend sit in while hubby comes home. You WILL need him at home for that first 2 weeks.

Especially if you're having a c-section, you're going to need him when you take the baby home. I would say to not have him take a week before the baby comes home. Worst case is that you go early and have to go into the hospital without him there. There are nurses and such to help you, and maybe you can get your mom or MIL to come in a bit early just in case. Then, when you go home you'll have him there to help out.

Get a back up plan. I hope you have enlisted the help of close family or neighbors to help out. Your husband may not want to use up vacation time and the 911 and flight home may be the best option.

Anyway my first two children were born out of state away from family and I had awesome ladies from church lined up to help out. Even with my last two I had a close neighbor come over to babysit when I went into labor. The nieghbors were great for babysitting but you can also enlist a friend to drive you to the hospital and stay with you until your husband arrives. If you don't have a close friend you can hire a dulah(sp). I have another neighbor who is a birthing coach for people and she will do as much or little as you want. She can be there to help you through the labor and stay with you at the hospital.

Anyway good luck with your decision. Just make sure you have a backup plan of someone to help you out and things will be fine.

you may want to hire a doula for this birth just in case he is not here than you would have someone there to support you until he got there and throughout the birth, even though its a planned c-section...just a thought :)

Totally recommend the doula. If he can work from home without taking vacation that last week, great. If not, save the 2 weeks! You will both want/need that time with the baby.

The doula can be there for you, and really advocate your wishes while your husband flies home. If you choose to have family or a friend there, that is great to help the time pass, or support you, but I would still choose my doula over a family member for keeping me calm, being supportive, and having enough knowledge to let me relax during that stressful time.

If you want one, hurry and find one now so that you have time to interview them and find one that you click with - and isn't booked up!