How long til your ready for visitors?

With a vaginal birth you are up and about pretty quickly, I was up and about and out shopping about a week after I had my son. You would be surprised as to how quickly you can heal after a nice natural birth. I am having six weeks ish until my parents come over, but I think my sister is going to come over about 3-4 weeks after. Its your choice really, IMO having a vaginal birth is tiring, but for me it wasn't as hard on my body as I thought it would be!! Good luck!!

My mother-in-law came from the UK to visit 6 weeks after my c-section and it was great. We were still able to do a lot of sightseeing as well.

If your mom comes over, she should come by herself. It's enough to take care of one extra person let alone her friend.

I would have loved for my mom to be here for the birth of her first granddaughter but she couldn't due to work. She's the type that would have done everything and made sure I got plenty of rest.

After a non complicated birth, you may still get torn and will need to heal. Bleeding can take quite a few weeks and the first 2 weeks, you have your midwife and health visitor appts. Your mom has to understand that you want her there because you need her help and won't be entertaining. You're going to be so tired the first month and adjusting to a new baby.

Have a heart to heart with your mom and work out the fine details. If this is your first baby, I would have her come about 6 weeks past due date if she won't be helping and 2 weeks past if you feel she will be a help (unless you husband will be off) if hubby is off then have her come when he goes back to work.

Best wishes!

My dad came to stay for 3 weeks, arriving 2 weeks after Finn was born.

However, he was coming to visit us and to help, NOT to sightsee or be entertained.  The timings worked quite well, because not only had we kinda gotten the hang of this baby thing (well as much as you can with a newborn) by the time he arrived, he was also around for the fussiest weeks you'll get with a new baby.

It took me about 2 weeks to stop feeling sore down there, but I didn't have any perineal tearing (I think it might take longer if you do?).  But I could move around and stuff well before then of course.

I'd say if your mom & friend want to be entertained and cared for, they need to wait a good darn while.  Finn's 6 weeks old and I certainly don't think I could deal with that on top of taking care of him right now.  They should be coming to take care of you, not vice versa!

My parents were here 2 weeks before Jean arrived and it was a nightmare!  We've already said next time it'll be several weeks after due date.

I haven't read the other replies so apologies if I repeat anything...

I was due on the 4th of July 2009.  My little guy came early but I was secretly hoping for my little Independence Day Baby:-)

I went through this and all I can tell you is that everyone is different.  I kept everyone at bay and left it that they would need to wait until he was born until I scheduled visits.  You really have no idea how you will cope and I was nervous that I would be a complete wreck.

For me, it took 2 long weeks to heal (I had a vaginal, ventouse delivery). 

It completely depends on the visitors. If your mom is going to come and take care of everything while you relax, and you're okay with that, then get her to come as soon as you want.  If your mom is going to be looking for you to make her tea or just wants to cuddle the baby, hold off for a good few weeks (or months if you can), especially if you do wind up having an unexpected c-section.

I don't know how close you are with your mom but it is so great having that bonding time in the beginning so I personally didn't want anyone around.  I don't mean friends coming by to meet him, but guests staying with us.  My mom came when my baby was 5 months old and all she wanted to do was play with him when she felt like and pretended she was in a hotel.  So for me, 5 months was too early! 

Good luck:-)

Ooooh, you do -not- need to be playing hostess, nosiree!  My Leah will be six weeks old on Thursday, and while I'm mainly healed up (vaginal delivery with episiotomy), I'm still a worn-out monkey!  And those first 2 or 3 weeks were pretty rough, even with my in-law's supporting us; Mum keeps hitting us up with casseroles, and insists we bring our laundry into work with us.

Anyways, my parents had wanted to come out and visit around when Leah was due, but I managed to talk them out of it; they're coming this summer instead.  But yeah, I had to make it clear that if they -had- come to visit when she was due, they were not allowed to stay in my home, come over during the labor (we homebirthed - it was just myself, my husband, and the midwives), or impose on us for entertainment.  With that and not being able to guarantee that the little one would be born during the winter holiday... was much nicer.  Plus, stress factor of people wanting attention - no good!  Even if you -do- have supportive people on-hand, it's still a draining process.

Anyways, best of luck and things.