Expecting my first baby in the next few weeks. What advice would you give?

[Oilla]

We are as prepared as I think we can be.
I finish work for maternity leave this week. What can / should I do and prioritise in the weeks before baby arrives? Of course rest (though sleeping 3hrs a night ish atm so not sure tiredness will come as a shock), but anything else I should prepare, practise, make the most of or do?

Try not to get too wrapped up in milestones or the wonder weeks etc. your baby is an individual who will be on their own timescale. Just try to relax and enjoy. My eldest was 'behind' with everything as a baby and is now doing really well at school, loads of friends etc. You'd have no idea if he first walked at 9 months or 2 years, stuff like that really pails into insignificance.

Also try to just go with your gut and politely nod and smile to any advice you don't agree with then just go and do your own thing. So much easier than debating with the other person! There are a million different ways to do things even on this thread there is evidence of how it all conflicts - clean the house / don't waste time cleaning, batch cook / don't batch cook etc. You have to do what feels right for you.

Perineal massage if you’re not already. My CMW recommended it to me and I had 2 decent sized babies without tearing. Might be a coincidence or it might not, but for a few seconds a day it’s worth a shot.

Don’t obsess over your birth plan. Nature will take over and do what it wants, having a detailed plan sets you up to ‘fail’ by deviation. As long as you and baby are safe that’s really all that matters.

Practice putting the pram up, the car seat in and out, have everything washed and prepped. Then put your feet up and spend time doing things that make you happy.

As others have said

Deep clean the god damn house
Get rid of any clutter

Get hospital bag packed

Plan how you will get to the hospital

Ensure yours and husbands phones are always charged and on loud as never know when this baby is coming

Freezer food- home cooked or whatever

Controversial but a mini fridge in your bedroom. Get your water in there and snacks for the nights your up with the baby

Don't by any of the gimics (sorry if you have)

If your going to pre wash the babies clothes and bedding do it asap

Decide who you want to see after the birth and timescales for who and when visitors can come to see you

Do not stress about a birth plan. What will be will be

White noise machine at the ready

Tell your husband for the first month or so it is his job to take some damn photos of you with the baby as you will notice when you look back at all your photos your never in any as the kids grow up ! The dad is, he's in bloody all of them and there's like two of you where you look a mess 😂

Oh yeah fuck I forgot about baby blues as someone else said! I haven't cried in years maybe 10 plus years but day three after giving birth I cried . Baby blues is real .

Revel in the stillness.

.. Particularly while drinking a hot drink alone

.. do a certain amount of research/ reading to be informed. But after a point, follow your gut. Too much information out there!

.. ask for help/let people help. Visitors should be running round getting you tea, coffee, lunch.

.. get a comfy feeding station upstairs and downstairs. You'll be here a lot!

In human history, yes, but the tendency to slouch on the sofa and binge watch Netflix is a modern one.

@MissScarletInTheBallroom Did you reply to the wrong post? 🤔

Oh! Yes it looks like I did! Sorry!