What happened at the Spa?! So they need vests AND babygrows? Also, just been looking online at clothes - was assuming as we are having winter babies, that they would wear those long-sleeved all in one things - is this right? Or inside would they have short-sleeved things on? Think I will probably end up buying absolutely everything only to get told off by DH and not using most of it

becky - how painful have a soak in the bath, really hope it works for you.

We went swimming.

We went to the normal heated fun pool with slide etc, so find it swarming with kids and the pool shut. An 'incident' if some kind .

After much deliberating about where to go, we decided to be brave and try out a Lido where we have not been to before, as its a bit out of the way and through a rough estate. But its free. So we went, and it was fab, great location, tucked away on the other side of this estate, right by the sea, but sheltered enough - two pools, one fun pool with water sprays, and one lengths pool which had kids and floats in. Fantastic. Free. fecking freezing sea water . In for 20 mins and I did not get my hair wet! Next time, DD is in her wetsuit and I am wearing my rash vest, not a bikini

Trip to the Spa was painful. Frustrating!!!! Going to try a bath while DSs play in their bedroom next to me.

Katster I was just like you with DS1 - most baby books contain a list of things to take: basically nappies, cotton wool, vests, babygrows, errr, can't remember now what else - nope, really can't rememeber! I'll be asking DH as he is good at remebering this stuff.

This time, I like the idea of 6 hour labour - in after 2, out after another 6, home with a nice cuppa, new baby, and my DH and DD. Lovely

My labour was 18 hours or thereabouts. BUT it really did not feel that long. And I am including from the start, which is when I woke at 5:30am with my waters broken, no pain, some braxton hicks, through to first painful contraction at about 1:30pm, into hospital for around 7pm, gave birth at 11:47pm. I had to pop into hospital at around 9am to check baby was ok as I needed monitoring, they confirmed labour had started and said I could go home as it was still early. So I did. Waited at home watching the England world cup match (the one where they got knocked out) with friends for the first half, then friend/doula arrived after travelling back from cornwall, had a bite to eat, into hospital when I needed more than paracetamol as pain relief. It really felt like not very long, with all the different things going on.

A friend of mine woke up, in pain, ran a bath, realised she had no time, in hospital straight away, baby born 1 hour later now that was fast. She was told, if she has a 2nd baby, she needs to call an ambulance immediately that she goes into labour!

Tamlin thanks for all of that. I didn't realise you could leave after providing it was all okay That's cheered my up no end... I think I'll rope my parents in as well to help out so that I'm not left alone at any point - although I think I'd have to sedate my mother very heavily to keep her away!

Lemontop, am so sorry to hear about your Godson, I hope he feels better by tomorrow and they can make it to your big day. Hope the weather holds off as long as possible, and be sure to come and tell us all about it soon

Katster - from what I've been told, you need to take first outfits, nappies, cotton wool and baby lotion (Hospitals have a thing about wipes, apparently), clothes for you, blankets, maternity pads and breast pads. Depends from hospital to hospital, so you might want to check with yours what they supply for you

Tamlin that is a good idea. I am hoping my mum will be lurking too so she can chase down midwives etc. Oh yuck, I hate hospitals! I didn't realise you could just go home if everything was ok. I really hate hospitals and the thought of staying overnight on my own does not inspire me. And that's a good point - I would have no idea how to change a baby's nappy or anything. I know it's v early to ask this, but do you have to take a lot of stuff into hospital with you? I am so clueless it is embarrassing!

Lemontop I doubt you'll see this but just seen the weather forecast and it says rain should hold off 'til late evening tomorrow in most parts of the country so fingers crossed. You will look gorgeous! Will be thinking of you!

Ursigurke thanks, that's good advice. I'll try. Awww it hurts! We're off to the Spa now for ice lollies - I'm hoping a bit of exercise will help.

Lemontop I hope tomorrow goes well. I hope your best friend / godmother's son is ok. Poor thing. At least they can treat it and he'll be fine I'm sure.

12-15 hrs is only the average for fist birth. 4 hours for first birth for me. 2 hours for second. I don't know many people who exceeded 15 hours on their first. Do lots of walking, stay healthy, think postive, yoga, etc and you'll be fine. Your body will be prepared.

It is amazing how different hospitals provide such vastly different levels of care. I didn't like the JR in Oxford as they were sooo busy and I didn't see the same midwife twice after the birth (and in fact my labour went over two midwives' shifts) but was lucky with DS2 having him in Chipping Norton which was just bliss. I have no idea what Shrewsbury will be like.

Trikken, you don't have to stay there if things go ok. I was surprised when my doula said 'Ok, if hospitals make you uncomfortable and tense, we'll aim to get you there at 8-9 cm and then provided things are straightforward, you can come straight home again once you're rested and cleaned up, if you want to.' It seemed really obvious when she said it, but for some reason, I was thinking (like you) that I'd wind up all on my own all night with the midwives ignoring the buzzer because they're overstretched. DH is a lot nicer about fetching pain medication and helping me to the loo!

Average first labour is 12 - 15 hours, so there's not much point dashing off to the hospital in a hurry, especially as labour tends to slow down when you get there. You might as well stay at home until the contractions are coming so hard and fast that you find it impossible to finish sentences. (Have also read that average second labour is 6 hours, which has cheered me up no end.)

They're anticipating huge staff shortages around here thanks to the flu going around as well, and hospital tours have been cancelled. Hey ho... If you're really worried about being left alone during labour, try to get two birth partners in there rather than just one - then there's one person to chase down errant midwives and another person to stay with you. We made that mistake with our first child, and every time poor DH wanted to go to the loo or get something to eat, I was howling 'DON'T LEAVE ME ALOOOONE!'