Not being with my first child during my stay at hospital to give birth

Honestly, the separation is hard but most first kids adjust better than we expect, a lot depends on how you frame it to them before you go in. Before your hospital stay, try role-playing it with your child so it feels less sudden, and make sure whoever is caring for them (grandparent, husband) keeps the routine as normal as possible, same bedtime, same meals, because familiar structure really helps. Someone in my mum group mentioned recording a short voice message or video for the caregiver to play at bedtime, so your child still hears your voice even when you're not there, some mums loved this, though a couple said their child got more upset hearing mum and not seeing her, so you know your child best. Also worth keeping in mind that a vaginal birth is usually just 1, 2 nights away, while a C-section can stretch to around 3, 4 days, so it helps to mentally prepare your child (and yourself) for the longer scenario just in case. The separation feels bigger to us as mums than it often does to the child once they're busy with grandma or whoever is with them, so go in with a plan and try not to feel too guilty about it.