Which jobs to do for nice return?

[Doodlekitty]

I am not, by nature, a house proud person. I'm slowly trying to change this.
I'm off into hospital tonight to be induced tomorrow, DH is staying with his parents until baby and I come out of hospital, so house is empty for at least 2 days.
I'm wondering which jobs I should do today to make sure my return in lovely. So far I have stripped bed, washed bedding, sprayed bed with lavender and I will put fresh bedding on. I'm thinking all dishes should be done (yes, that's how not house proud I an!). Floors need doing (might farm that out to my mam who is keen to help. What other (pref small) jobs can I do for a lovely homecoming?

[Awkwardsquad]

If you can manage it, I'd give the bathroom a clean so that it is lovely and fresh. Actually no - I'd give DH a little list of jobs and then lie down on the sofa! Unless you actually feel like pottering around, just relax and look after yourself. Hope everything goes very well for you at the hospital

[crunchingautumnleaves]

If you haven't already done, see if there's any easy batch cooking you can do to store as individual meals in freezer. And make sure you've got plenty of quick easy healthy snacks for your return - think things that are easy to eat with one hand, like nuts, dried fruit, plain popcorn, peanut butter, cheese spread, honey with wholemeal/multigrain bread (bung a ready sliced loaf in freezer so you can take out what you need to toast). Have any baby things ready to use - a 'changing station' in different areas/floors of your home, eg at least one in bedroom & one in living room, where you keep a stash of nappies & nappy sacks, bowl to put warm water in & bag of cotton wool bags, s

[crunchingautumnleaves]

...spare bodysuit & sleepsuit, a flannel/cloth if it's a boy to put over them when changing nappy (or run the risk of being 'showered'). Few muslin cloths by clean nappies also handy then you're never too far away from one. Guess you've got sleeping area for your baby prepared? Whilst these things aren't necessarily housekeeping, they will certainly help you on your return, making it easier - what better welcome than that?! Also, do make sure you've got some easy but distracting things with you for the induction - there can be a lot of waiting around. Relax, have a laugh with a good comedy & hope it all goes well!

[THERhubarb]

Definitely go over the bathroom so that it's sparkling.
Go through fridge and take out all the contents. Throw away anything that is going off, give it a quick clean and put everything back.
Empty bins so they don't smell.
Do a quick de-clutter. Pick things up off the floor and find them a home that is not on top of the coffee table. It's easier to keep floors clean when there's nothing on them.
Lastly get a couple of air fresheners in or even better, buy a lovely scented plant to go in the middle of your coffee table so that your home smells naturally fresh.

Yes to getting ready-made meals in or cooking in advance. Roasted pumpkin soup is easy to do and you can make heaps of it. It's delicious - real comfort food!

Get in plenty of baby wipes and put a packet in the bathroom, a packet in a changing box downstairs, one in the bedroom and one in your bag.
Make sure you have a travel changing mat in your bag too. You need two changing boxes, one in bathroom and one downstairs so you are not traipsing up and down the stairs all the time.
An all-in-one sleepsuit at this time of year is a godsend.

Best of luck with your new baby

[Ragwort]

Errr............ if I was being induced tonight the last thing I would be thinking about is housework .

Good luck.

[Mintyy]

Why is your dh staying with his parents? Why can't he stay at home and do the housework ready for your return?

[THERhubarb]

Agree, your dh should ensure you have a lovely homecoming too. What is his role in all of this? Surely he can spend half an hour to making sure the house is tidy and you have a few treats to come home to after you've been through labour and a birth?

[Doodlekitty]

Thanks guys. We have (together) done the majority of it, it was just last minute things to keep me busy today I was thinking about. I'm really nervous and best way for me to cope with that is to keep busy. DH is at work today, then with me at hospital till about 10 (so I'm told) then back at hospital in the morning. Batch cooking is done, ingredients for stuff he usually makes are bought. I'm now going to give bathroom a once over and have a bath, time killing till 3.00!

[Mintyy]

Good luck for the birth doodle. Make sure to come back and tell us all about it. Here is a for all your efforts today.

[crunchingautumnleaves]

Hope you've had a relaxing day with plenty of distractions

[OneOfMyTurnsComingOn]

Good luck. My induction was 14 days ago.

Nothing really to add but make sure you have milk for a nice cup of coffee! And plenty of snacks, I was ravenous after the vile hospital food.