1d1r,
really admire you and your hubby's thinking towards this. [IMG=http://www.singaporemotherhood.com/forumboard/clipart/happy.gif] believe that you will deliver a healthy and adorable baby!
tabbyz,
i have no exp with CLs. but like u, i moved back to mum's place during confinement and she did everything, except feeding baby, changing etc. if your mum can cope with the cooking and washing, and you are prepared to look after baby yourself (which is not that difficult/tough for 1 person), then can save up the CL money for something else. 'cos usually CL have their own mindsets (according to what some mummies shared with me) and may not be happy if your mum or another elder is ard to 'observe' them, make comments etc.. you have to be ready to face issues like CL giving your baby water, rocking baby to sleep, using traditional methods to soothe baby's colic etc.. some mummies don't like such things so all these gotta be voiced out beforehand. of course there are some really good CLs that will take care of not just the mummy and baby, but even help with some of the household chores. it depends on luck, really...