+        w = None
+        if waitForStart:
+            r, w = os.pipe()
     if os.fork():   # launch child and...
-        os._exit(0) # kill off parent
+            code = 0
+            if waitForStart:
+                code = self._waitForStart(r)
+                os.close(r)
+            os._exit(code)   # kill off parent
     os.setsid()
     if os.fork():   # launch child and...
         os._exit(0) # kill off parent again.
@@ -193,6 +213,7 @@
     if IReactorDaemonize.providedBy(reactor):
         reactor.afterDaemonize()
 
+        return w