Paper pants should be banned, and other rubbish stuff pregnant women & new parents are told they need..

[ColdCottage]

Just that really, I'm just prepping for baby number two to arrive and recalled all the stuff I bought last time which was totally useless.

Paper pants were the worst - crap sizing, dug in and just horrid as well as useless.

Also loads of people gave me creams for the bump. I was lucky I didn't get any stretch marks and didn't bother with creams. Not sure how much any cream could do.

Have enough to moisturise for about a decade 😂

No disposable pants here - someone did get a pack of large pants from Primark for me which were more useful a couple years later when fatter. For after birth, I'd swiped all DH's ancient boxers and briefs that ought to have been chucked anyway, which held maternity towels in place and were so comfortable (could see why he hadn't wanted to chuck them!)

I never liked beauty gunk before getting pregnant so funnilly enough didn't want it after, either. Gave loads away!

My bag for dc1 was mostly food, water, and a clean T-shirt I only put on on day 3. Same for dc2, only also with all my meds as I couldn't trust the hospital to ensure I got them.

A birth plan. I am convinced that people are advised to makle them so they think they are in control and this are calmer when going into labour.

When i was in labour (and with DS1 that was for 26 fucking hours, despite the hospital claiming it was only 10 in my discharge notes) not a single person looked at it or asked about it.

Otherwise- pack food. Not sure where the tea and toast after bith idea comes in, but it was non-existant for both my Dcs, born 2 years apart. I ate wine gums after Dc1 when i gave birth at 1 am and was told breakfast was not served until 6.

(tbh I had bad experfiences both times. )

sorry for typos- i am stirring a bechemel and MNetting!

I never even bought granny knickers, I just used my usual bikini undies as they fit nicely under the bump till the end. I used Kotex night time pads too. I did buy a nursing nightie. Didn't need it I switched to pajamas as soo as I got home.

@japanesebirdpainting - I had a fair bit of relevant medical history and allergies so stuck it onto one sheet of A4 along with what I was scared of with birth and a list of what I didn't give a toss about.
Must have seen at least 50 medics during a 50 hour labour in hospital, and most of the midwives greeted newcomers with 'just read this, ignore the notes'.

I've never mastered walking in flip-flops and wasn't going to start after birth - MNers tend to be prissy about floors but I figured my feet really aren't a problem if they get dirty, especially on the way to the shower!
All local mums confirmed food was the priority - the hospital lunch and dinner were actually good but no help if you were hungry after 7pm.

I’d recommend the Tena lady pants. They were superb for me post c section in hospital. Rip the sides and they’re off. No faff. Pop clean ones on and a pair of dps boxers over the keep them all snug!

Stuff the paper pants - i took all my manky old greying pre-maternity pants to wear and chucked them with the pad if they were too grim.

If there's any new pants to be bought save it until after when you're feeling better about yourself - new pants are always nice, don't waste it on maternity knicks!

@StrongerThanIThought76 good plan I have a number of knickers which could do to go really.

Incontinence nappies are amazing. With my first baby I used maternity pads and leaked a lot. I used incontinence nappies with DC2 and despite gushing blood when I moved, not a drop of blood escaped. I recommend them to all of my pregnant friends now

@AintNobodyHereButUsChickens I'm not sure I could bring myself to buy them. Silly I know

I remember way back when during my first pregnancy and my mother kept muttering about big knickers whilst I was fawning over all the pretty things. Big knickers this, big knickers that.
Two days post partum I was ringing her to get to Littlewoods pronto and bring me the big knickers.

Do people generally wear nighties once they’ve given birth?

I had a bath then got dressed and put my trainers on! I’ve only just thought about this - 19 years later!

Well, it was day time and I wasn’t ill.

I still have some of the big black knickers from when my teenagers were born. They've lasted longer than a lot I've bought more recently!

I took a really thin summer type dressing gown 2 sizes too big wrapover one. It's saggy and fraying 6 years on and I should really bin it but my goodness it's comfy!

@ColdCottage order some online