Home birth with a toddler and dog in the house.

What happens if you want a home birth, and go into labour before you have childcare and pet care arranged?
I’m due 6 Sept.
We have a 2 year old and a large dog, who is friendly but will bark whenever someone new comes in. My family are all on holiday now and will be back on 23rd, so two weeks before my due date. They can take the toddler and the dog then, but I’m just worried what will happen if I go into labour before my family are back and able to help. Has anyone had a home birth with their child(ren) and dogs at home ? Can midwives refuse to attend if there’s a large barking dog in the house ?

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I’d put dog in another room/upstairs/crate and play some relaxing music/dog music to keep him calm. You can also buy dog relaxers like plug ins to relax the dog which could be handy.
As for the child, let that watch, let them play, keep it as normal as possible for the toddler xx

I had a home birth with my 2 other children in the house and my dog. I went into labour at 9pm after kids were in bed and he was born 3am, I had to wake the kids to come and meet their new brother. U never know this could be the same, u could have ur bubs and ur other child and dog could be completely unawares. If it is daytime then let ur 2 year old play and watch TV, there's usually 2 midwives so one can always help a little. Or could a neighbour pop round to sit with ur toddler? Yes maybe the dog might need shutting in a separate room but u can explain in ur birth plan that he's a Barker but v friendly. Good luck xxx

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