first baby about to be induced, but have made a sign for the front door saying new mum and baby sleeping and will just disconnect the door bell and phone. I have warned those that are likely to turn up unexpectedly that I will be doing this and sorry if I don't answer, but I need the rest.

I keep reading about setting certain times etc for visitors after the birth but my family will be visiting and staying in hotel/in-laws house 30 seconds away so I feel bad not to let them hang around here. Obviously want everyone to see baby but how can you drop the hints so they'll understand I'll be knackered!? Would love a good tips for this!

This is a really great thread! Thanks at least I'll know what to put in my hospital bag when the time comes!

Use a birthing stool if you are having an active labour - they open up your pelvis perfectly and the use of gravity is incredibly helpful. They've been in use since the dawn of time and they really work.My obstetrician recommended the stool in my second labour and I used it in my third. I went from one cm dilated to delivered in 20 mins. No stitches.

Get someone to buy a newspaper on the day your baby is born, and give it to them when they are grown up!

Sorry if repeating, but I would say, water, water and more water from conception to birth and then all through your time breast feeding.

Get out of hospital (if you're not having a home birth) as soon as you can, home is nicer, safer, comfier and a lot less stressful.

Get DH to bring in food as hospital food really does stand up to its stereotype.

If BFing take it one night at a time. I found the nights hard, especially when so called experts say it won't hurt and if it does you're doing it wrong. After 3 weeks DD had put on 1.5pounds and I went on to successfully BF until she was 9 months, so I can't have been that wrong. It just took my body 2 - 3 weeks to get used to this new function which seems fair enough to me.

Best recommendation for post birth dinner (leading to post birth poo) Slow Roast Veg and cous cous.

Finally, allow yourself to follow your instincts.

Ha ha love that comment about champers! great idea!! i'm gonna do that too, and i am with you on the amenity room ... i am going to enquire asap too!!

Am totally finding out about an amenity room. I will pay anything not to spend my first 2 days with my new son listening to other peoples conversations/mobile phones/and picking up germs.

What a great thread.

We've packed a bottle of champagne because from memory what I really wanted after labour was a bloody stiff drink!!

BUMP

this is such a great thread .... am expecting 2nd baby and all of the above is really helpful (just wish i'd known before birth!)

My tips would be:

Infacol for the baby - if baby is windy or colicky it's a godsend

Don't expect too much from yourself in the first few days/weeks

Rejoice in help offered!

If you have a C-section don't do too much too soon - i did and suffered an infection which lasted ages.

Warm flannels and then ice cold cabbage leaves for sore and swollen boobs

Almond Oil to prevent tears - apparently !

my mums had nine children and used olive oil all over her body for the entire gestation and does not have any, I repeat, any stretch marks despite going up to size 26 at her biggest!

I did the same with DD1 and despite having strecth marks before from puberty did not get any from pregnancy. I will be telling my dd to use olive oil through puberty i reckon