I have a hospital stay coming up to deliver my third child and my husband will be driving me to the hospital and staying with me during labor. Due to a lack of childcare options we have had to hire someone to be on call to come watch our young children while we're gone and I'm trying to figure out if this is a tax deductible expense as obviously during delivery I won't be able to care for my children and during recovery in the hospital, I'll be monitored and cared for until discharge (it is hospital policy to assist new mothers with tasks like showering and toileting due to postpartum fall risks).
Bonus question: I paid for this service during the previous year in order to make sure childcare was secured, but am delivering in the following year. What year would I claim this expense if it turns out it is actually something I can claim?
